BENEFICIAL-EFFECTS OF ACARBOSE ON DAILY PLASMA-GLUCOSE PROFILE AND CATARACT DEVELOPMENT IN SAND RATS

Sand rats were used as a model for nutritionally induced type II (non- insulin-dependent) diabetes in an effort to evaluate the effect of aca rbose on carbohydrate digestion. Daily plasma glucose profiles, insuli n levels and weekly cararact development were determined following lon g-term feeding with a diet containing acarbose (20 or 40 mg/100 g diet ). Acarbose not only dramatically decreased daily plasma glucose and i nsulin levels (p < 0.05) but also delayed, and possibly prevented, cat aract formation in sand rats. The effect of acarbose persisted for 150 days. The control of daily plasma glucose levels and reduction of ins ulin levels obtained with acarbose may lead to the delay of cataract f ormation in sand rats. These results could have potential applications to diabetic patients as an adjunct treatment.