[The clinical significance of early intervention for impaired glucose tolerance].

Abstract

Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. It is widely accepted that macrovascular complications start before the development of diabetes. Accumulating evidence shows that impaired glucose tolerance(IGT), a pre-diabetic condition, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Mechanistically, postprandial hyperglycemia produces excessive oxidative stress and induces endothelial dysfunction thereby promoting atherosclerosis. Therefore, it is critically important to intervene early on IGT for the prevention of not only diabetes, but also cardiovascular disease. Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that alpha-glucosidase inhibitors that improve postprandial hyperglycemia, can prevent the development of diabetes from IGT. Additionally, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors have been shown to inhibit the progression of cardiovascular disease. This review will focus on the clinical significance of early intervention for IGT with an emphasis on the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

• Authors: Daiji Kawanami, Kazunori Utsunomiya
• Journal: Nihon rinsho. Japanese journal of clinical medicine (Nihon Rinsho) Vol. 68 Issue 5 Pg. 797-802 (May 2010) ISSN: 0047-1852 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 20446571 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article, Review)

Topics

• Diabetic Angiopathies (prevention & control)
• Humans
• Prediabetic State (therapy)