The role of GLP-1 in the postprandial effects of acarbose in type 2 diabetes
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Aims: The alpha-glucosidase inhibitor acarbose is believed to reduce plasma glucose by delaying hydrolysis of carbohydrates. Acarbose-induced transfer of carbohydrates to the distal parts of the intestine increases circulating glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). Using the GLP-1 receptor antagonist exendin(9-39)NH2, we investigated the effect of acarbose-induced GLP-1 secretion on postprandial glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Methods: In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study, 15 participants with metformin-treated type 2 diabetes (age: 57-85 years, HbA1c: 40-74 mmol/mol) were subjected to two 14-day treatment periods with acarbose or placebo, respectively, separated by a 6-week wash-out period. At the end of each period, two randomized 4-h liquid mixed meal tests with concomitant infusion of exendin(9-39)NH2 and saline, respectively, were performed.
Results: Compared to placebo, acarbose increased postprandial GLP-1 concentrations and decreased postprandial glucose. We observed no absolute difference in the exendin(9-39)NH2-induced increase in postprandial glucose excursions between placebo and acarbose periods, but relatively, postprandial glucose was increased by 119 ± 116% (mean ± s.d.) during exendin(9-39)NH2 infusion in the acarbose period vs a 39 ± 27% increase during the placebo period (P = 0.0163).
Conclusions: We confirm that acarbose treatment stimulates postprandial GLP-1 secretion in patients with type 2 diabetes. Using exendin(9-39)NH2, we did not see an impact of acarbose-induced GLP-1 secretion on absolute measures of postprandial glucose tolerance, but relatively, the effect of exendin(9-39)NH2 was most pronounced during acarbose treatment.
Original language | English |
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Journal | European Journal of Endocrinology |
Volume | 184 |
Issue number | 3 |
Pages (from-to) | 387-398 |
Number of pages | 12 |
ISSN | 0804-4643 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2021 |
- Acarbose/pharmacology, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Blood Glucose/drug effects, Cross-Over Studies, Denmark, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy, Double-Blind Method, Female, Gastric Emptying/drug effects, Glucagon-Like Peptide 1/physiology, Humans, Insulin Resistance, Insulin-Secreting Cells/drug effects, Male, Metformin/therapeutic use, Middle Aged, Placebos, Postprandial Period/drug effects
Research areas
ID: 258268287