EFFECT OF ACARBOSE ON POSTPRANDIAL LIPID-METABOLISM IN TYPE-2 DIABETES-MELLITUS

The effect of acarbose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, on postprandia l glucose and lipid metabolism was investigated in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Twenty patients (10 men and 10 women) with type 2 diabetes mellitus were studied. A test meal was taken with or without 100 mg of acarbose. The levels of plasma glucose, and serum immunorea ctive insulin, lipids. apolipoproteins, and remnant-like particle chol esterol were investigated. Acarbose inhibited the postprandial increas e of both plasma glucose and serum immunoreactive insulin. Acarbose al so significantly suppressed the increase of serum triglycerides at 60, 90, and 120 min (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01), and the increase of serum rem nant-like particle cholesterol at 60 and 120 min (P < 0.05). Acarbose inhibited the postprandial decline of apolipoprotein C-II, and decreas ed the postprandial serum apolipoprotein C-III level. These results su ggest that acarbose may improve postprandial hyperlipidemia as well as postprandial hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.