Acarbose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, improves endothelial dysfunction in Goto-Kakizaki rats exhibiting repetitive blood glucose fluctuation.

According to recent research from Japan, “Several epidemiological studies have revealed that subjects with postprandial hyperglycemia are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the impact of postprandial hyperglycemia and its treatment on endothelial function has not been clarified yet.”

“In this study, Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats, a nonobese type 2 diabetes model, fed twice daily were used as a model of repetitive postprandial glucose spikes. We investigated the endothelial function in these rats treated or untreated with acarbose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor,” described K. Azuma and colleagues, Juntendo University.

The data showed, “Administration of acarbose for 12 weeks markedly improved postprandial hyperglycemia, postprandial insulin level, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and free fatty acid level in GK rats. Furthermore, acarbose efficiently reduced the number of monocytes adherent to aortic endothelial layer, improved acetylcholine-dependent vasodilatation, and reduced intimal thickening of the aorta.”

The researchers concluded, “While it is generally regarded that repetitive postprandial hyperglycemia is associated with the onset of cardiovascular diseases, our data demonstrated that acarbose treatment efficiently ameliorated endothelial dysfunction and reduced intimal thickening, thus adding support to the protective effect of acarbose against the onset of cardiovascular disease.”

Azuma and colleagues published their study in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (Acarbose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, improves endothelial dysfunction in Goto-Kakizaki rats exhibiting repetitive blood glucose fluctuation. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2006;345(2):688-693).

For additional information, contact H. Watada, Juntendo University, School Medical, Dept. of Metab & Endocrinol, Tokyo 113, Japan.

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