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

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2006 Jun 30;345(2):688-93. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.04.090. Epub 2006 May 2.

Abstract

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 non-obese 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. 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. 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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acarbose / therapeutic use*
  • Acetylcholine / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Aorta / pathology
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / physiopathology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / pathology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Hyperglycemia / drug therapy*
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Models, Animal
  • Postprandial Period / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Time Factors
  • Tunica Intima / pathology

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Acetylcholine
  • Acarbose