This multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated the efficacy of
acarbose in Chinese individuals with
impaired glucose tolerance (determined using a 75 g oral
glucose tolerance test). Subjects were randomised to either placebo or
acarbose 50 mg t.i.d. for a period of 16 weeks. Primary efficacy variables were the maximum postprandial plasma
glucose value (C(max)) and the serum
insulin profile. Secondary efficacy parameters included postprandial
glucose profile, maximum postprandial
insulin concentration (C(max)), changes in
lipid profile and blood pressure and HbA(1c) and
body weight and conversion to
Type 2 diabetes. In the intention-to-treat analysis,
acarbose treatment resulted in significantly higher reductions in postprandial
glucose and serum
insulin concentrations compared to placebo.
Triglyceride concentration was the only
lipid parameter to be significantly reduced in
acarbose subjects. Loss of
body weight was also significantly greater for
acarbose than placebo subjects. Some 19 individuals converted to
Type 2 diabetes (seven
acarbose, 12 placebo), but this difference was not significant.
Acarbose is efficacious in improving the metabolic state of individuals with
impaired glucose tolerance indicating a potential benefit for the delay or prevention of onset of
Type 2 diabetes in Chinese subjects.