HIGH-VISCOSITY HYDROXYPROPYLMETHYLCELLULOSE REDUCES POSTPRANDIAL BLOOD-GLUCOSE CONCENTRATIONS IN NIDDM PATIENTS

The ability of high viscosity hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) to r educe postprandial glucose concentrations was assessed in patients wit h non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) and healthy volunteers. The s tudy design consisted of a two-way crossover, single-dose administrati on of 10 g prehydrated high viscosity HPMC, or placebo, with a standar d carbohydrate-rich meal. In patients with NIDDM, HPMC reduced blood g lucose concentrations at the 60-, 75-, 90-, 120- and 150-min sampling intervals, with an average reduction in the maximum postprandial blood glucose concentration, C(max) of 24% (P < 0.05). The time at which th e maximum concentration was reached, T(max), remained unchanged. The a rea under the blood concentration versus time plot, AUC0-6h, was reduc ed by an average of 15% (P < 0.05). The blood concentration profile of insulin followed that of glucose. Concentrations were significantly l ower than in the placebo phase only at the 120-min sampling time, whil e pharmacokinetic parameters (C(max), T(max) and AUC0-6h) were unchang ed. These results suggest that alterations in the blood glucose profil e are mediated by luminal events rather than by changes in hormonal re sponse. In contrast to the NIDDM patients, neither the pharmacokinetic parameters nor the blood glucose concentrations at specific sampling times were significantly affected by the co-administration of HPMC in healthy volunteers. Overall, the results of this study suggest that HP MC may be a useful adjunct in the management of NIDDM.