Effects of acarbose in beta-thalassaemia major patients with normal glucose tolerance and hyperinsulinism.

Abstract

The pathogenesis of diabetes in thalassaemia is complex and multifactorial. Understanding the sequence of abnormalities in the progression from normal glucose tolerance to impaired glucose tolerance may help in the formulation of ways to intervene in this process. In our study, we assessed the effects of acarbose, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, in five young adult thalassaemic patients with hyperinsulinism and normal oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). A decrease of fasting insulin levels, insulin peak and area under the curve (AUC) after OGTT, were observed in thalassaemic patients receiving acarbose therapy. These values remained unchanged in an untreated group of eight thalassaemic patients. We believe that acarbose may have a potential role in the treatment of abnormalities of glucose homeostasis and insulin release.

• Authors: Antonino Mangiagli, Saveria Campisi, Vincenzo De Sanctis, Manuela Caruso Nicoletti, Giuliana Cardinale, Maria Concetta Galati, Giuseppe Raiola, Paolo Rigano, Anna Saviano, Study Group of the Italian Pediatric and Diabetes Soceity (SIEDP) on Endocrine Complicaionts in Non-Endocrine Disease
• Journal: Pediatric endocrinology reviews : PER (Pediatr Endocrinol Rev) Vol. 2 Suppl 2 Pg. 272-5 (Dec 2004) ISSN: 1565-4753 [Print] Israel
• PMID: 16462710 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Blood Glucose
• Hypoglycemic Agents
• Glucose
• Acarbose

Topics

• Acarbose (administration & dosage)
• Adult
• Area Under Curve
• Blood Glucose (metabolism)
• Glucose (metabolism)
• Glucose Intolerance (metabolism)
• Glucose Tolerance Test
• Humans
• Hyperinsulinism (drug therapy, metabolism)
• Hypoglycemic Agents (administration & dosage)
• Insulin Resistance (physiology)
• beta-Thalassemia (drug therapy, metabolism)