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Biomedical subjects

Hiroshi Uchino

Publications and source records attributed to Hiroshi Uchino.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

Comparison of glycated albumin (GA) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in type 2 diabetic patients: usefulness of GA for evaluation of short-term changes in glycemic control.

We studied the cross-sectional relationship between GA and HbA1c in 142 type 2 diabetic patients who had an HbA1c level < 7.5% for at least one year without fluctuation by more than 0.5%. We also followed the changes of GA and HbA1c in 18 type 2 diabetic patients for 16 weeks as they progressed from untreated severe hyperglycemia (HbA1c > or = 9.0%) to good glycemic control (HbA1c < or = 6.5%) by intensive insulin treatment. The annual mean levels of GA and HbA1c in the stably controlled patients showed a weak, but significant, correlation (r = 0.23, p<0.001) in the 142 diabetic patients. However, the GA/HbA1c ratio ranged widely from 2.0 to 4.0 showing a normal distribution (2.9 +/- 0.34, M +/- SE), although patients with conditions affecting albumin turnover or RBC lifespan were excluded from the study. The GA/HbA1c ratio was significantly higher when patients were in hyperglycemic than when glycemic control was good (3.5 +/- 0.15 vs. 2.9 +/- 0.07, M +/- SE, p<0.01). GA decreased more rapidly than HbA1c during intensive insulin therapy, but the percent reduction of HbA1c eventually corresponded with that of GA by 16 weeks after the start of treatment. These results demonstrate that, although unknown influences on GA or HbA1c may exist, GA may be a useful marker for monitoring short-term variations of glycemic control during treatment of diabetic patients.

Aged↗

Association of C-reactive protein with early-stage carotid atherosclerosis in Japanese patients with early-state type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The aim of this study was to assess the association between high sensitivity-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a sensitive marker of inflammation, and early-stage carotid atherosclerosis, in patients with early-state type 2 diabetes mellitus. The study subjects were 75 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus without obvious diabetic vascular complications, who were not on any medication, and whose HbA(1c) level was less than 6.5%. We evaluated the mean intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA) by ultrasound B-mode imaging. Then, we investigated various factors associated with CCA-IMT including hs-CRP. Serum hs-CRP levels correlated well with factors strongly associated with insulin resistance such as homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting insulin level, and body mass index. Serum hs-CRP also correlated with mean CCA-IMT and serum levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1. Multivariate regression analysis using mean CCA-IMT as the dependent variable identified only age, hs-CRP, and diastolic blood pressure as independent determinants of mean CCA-IMT. While hs-CRP associates with insulin resistance and subclinical atherosclerosis in ealy-state type 2 diabetes, our data suggest that hs-CRP is a useful marker of subclinical atherosclerosis in early-state type 2 diabetes mellitus independent of factors that directly reflect insulin resistance.

Aged↗

Beneficial effects of candesartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, on beta-cell function and morphology in db/db mice.

Several epidemiological studies suggested that treatment with angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) provided a risk reduction of developing type 2 diabetes. In this study, we investigated whether and how ARB treatment can improve abnormalities of pancreatic islets in diabetes state. We randomized db/db mice, a model of type 2 diabetes with obesity, at the age of 8 weeks to receive candesartan, an ARB, for 6 weeks. We also studied age-matched db/misty mice as control. Glucose tolerance test revealed that candesartan treatment improved glucose tolerance with the modest increase in serum insulin level in db/db mice. Concurrently, candesartan increased beta-cell mass, increased staining intensity of insulin, and decreased staining intensity of components of NAD(P)H oxidase, p22phox and gp91phox, and those of oxidative stress markers in beta-cells. These changes were accompanied by reduction of mitochondrial volume. Treatment with candesartan also reduced fibrosis in and around the islets and prevented the loss of endothelial cells in islets. Our results showed that candesartan partially prevented deterioration of glucose tolerance by providing protection against progressive beta-cell damage in diabetes.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers↗

Effects of portal free fatty acid elevation on insulin clearance and hepatic glucose flux.

We tested the hypothesis that, due to greater hepatic free fatty acid (FFA) load, portal delivery of FFAs, as in visceral obesity, induces hyperinsulinemia and increases endogenous glucose production to a greater extent than peripheral FFA delivery. For 5 h, 10 microeq.kg(-1).min(-1) portal oleate (n = 6), equidose peripheral oleate (n = 5), or saline (n = 6) were given intravenously to conscious dogs infused with a combination of portal and peripheral insulin to enable calculation of hepatic insulin clearance during a pancreatic euglycemic clamp. Peripheral FFAs were similar with both oleate treatments and were threefold greater than in controls. Portal FFAs were 1.5- to 2-fold greater with portal than with peripheral oleate. Peripheral insulin concentrations were greatest with portal oleate, intermediate with peripheral oleate (P < 0.001 vs. portal oleate or controls), and lowest in controls, consistent with corresponding reductions in plasma insulin clearance and hepatic insulin clearance. Although endogenous glucose production did not differ between the two routes of oleate delivery, total glucose output (endogenous glucose production plus glucose cycling) was greater with portal than with peripheral oleate (P < 0.001) despite the higher insulin levels. In conclusion, during euglycemic clamps in dogs, the main effect of short-term elevation in portal FFA is to generate peripheral hyperinsulinemia. This may, in the long term, contribute to the metabolic and cardiovascular risk of visceral obesity.

Animals↗

Strict glycemic control ameliorates the increase of carotid IMT in patients with type 2 diabetes.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of strict glycemic control on the carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) in type 2 diabetic patients who initially had good glycemic control (HbA1c between 5.8 and 6.4 %). The subjects were 67 patients showing deterioration of the mean HbA1c over 3 years by more than 0.2% from baseline (D group) and 33 subjects showing improvement of the mean HbA1c by more than 0.2% from baseline (A group). The clinical characteristics and annual change of IMT during the observation period were compared between the two groups in a 3-year retrospective longitudinal study. The baseline characteristics and the mean values of BMI, blood pressure, and serum lipids during the study period did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, the mean HbA1c of A group was significantly lower than that of D group (5.67 +/- 0.10 vs. 6.28 +/- 0.08, mean +/- SE, p<0.001). The adjusted annual increase rate of IMT was significantly less in A group than in D group (-0.035 +/- 0.019 vs. 0.036 +/- 0.015 mm, M +/- SEM, p<0.001). These results indicate that further improvement of glycemic control from a good HbA1c value can prevent an increase of IMT in type 2 diabetic patients.

Adult↗

Therapeutic efficacy of mitiglinide combined with once daily insulin glargine after switching from multiple daily insulin regimen of aspart insulin and glargine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Mitiglinide is novel class of rapid-acting insulin secretagogues, which have been widely used alone or in combination with other oral hypoglycemic drugs to improve postprandial hyperglycemia in early type 2 diabetes. While mitiglinide enhances postprandial requirement of insulin, the efficacy of mitiglinide combined with insulin has yet to be established. We investigated the efficacy of mitiglinide combined with insulin glargine, the first soluble insulin analog that has a flat and prolonged effect. After control with the intensive regimen (daily aspart insulin and glargine), 30 inpatients with type 2 diabetes were switched to premeal mitiglinide combined with once daily insulin glargine (mitiglinide regimen), and daily profiles of blood glucose level were compared under each regimen. Fifteen patients showed similar control of hyperglycemia with mitiglinide regimen and intensive insulin regimen, assessed by M value (<32), while the remaining 15 showed worsening under the mitiglinide regimen. The patients who were well controlled with mitiglinide regimen were significantly younger (51.9 +/- 16.0 years, p<0.005) and heavier (body mass index: 25.7 +/- 3.3 kg/m(2), p<0.05) than those who were not (67.9 +/- 8.7 and 23.0 +/- 3.1, respectively). Moreover, insulin doses of aspart per body weight were significantly fewer in effective group than in ineffective group. Duration of diabetes was shorter in the effective group, albeit insignificantly. Previous treatment before starting intensive insulin regimen, such as insulin and sulfonylurea, was not different between the two groups. Our results suggest that mitiglinide plus insulin glargine combination therapy is useful for lowering both fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia in a subpopulation of type 2 diabetes. The long-term effects of such treatment need to be established in future studies.

Adult↗

Anti-atherogenic effect of insulin in vivo.

Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for atherosclerosis and restenosis. In metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance coexists with hyperinsulinemia and hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia has growth-promoting effects, whereas insulin has both growth-promoting and growth-inhibitory effects on vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of hyperlipidemia and hyperinsulinemia on vascular cell growth in vivo after arterial injury. Rats fed a low-fat diet were treated with either subcutaneous blank (LFC) or insulin (LFI) implants. Rats fed a high-fat diet also received blank (HFC) or insulin (HFI) implants. After 3 days, rats received balloon carotid injury, and 14 days later they were sacrificed to measure neointimal area and proliferation. Hyperinsulinemia was present in LFI and HFI and hyperlipidemia was present in HFC and HFI. Neointimal area was higher in HFC (0.153 +/- 0.009 mm(2), p < 0.05) but lower in LFI (0.098 +/- 0.005, p < 0.01) than LFC (0.127 +/- 0.005). In HFI (0.142 +/- 0.008, p < 0.05) neointimal area was not different from HFC or LFC. In conclusion, insulin reduced neointimal growth, but the effect of insulin was diminished by the high-fat diet. Thus, our results demonstrate an anti-atherogenic effect of insulin in vivo and suggest that in metabolic syndrome insulin resistance rather than hyperinsulinemia is the atherogenic risk factor.

Animals↗

N-(carboxymethyl)valine residues in hemoglobin (CMV-Hb) reflect accumulation of oxidative stress in diabetic patients.

While carboxymethylated proteins are considered to be advanced glycation end products (AGE), they can also be induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) independently of the AGE-forming process. To clarify whether N-(carboxymethyl)valine residues in hemoglobin (CMV-Hb) were a useful marker of the accumulation of ROS in diabetes, we evaluated CMV-Hb formation in vitro and in vivo. For the in vitro studying, purified human hemoglobin was incubated with D-glucose or D-glucose and hydrogen peroxide. For the in vivo study, CMV-Hb was extracted from peripheral red blood cells in diabetic patients and compared with that from non-diabetic subjects. Furthermore, the effect of antioxidants was evaluated after 6 months in 15 diabetic patients showing very high CMV-Hb levels. In vitro CMV-Hb formation increased in a glucose concentration and time-dependent manner. Co-incubation with glucose and hydrogen peroxide synergistically increased CMV-Hb formation. The CMV-Hb level was higher in the diabetic group than the non-diabetic group, and CMV-Hb was correlated with the plasma total cholesterol and serum creatinine levels. The CMV-Hb level was decreased by antioxidant therapy, whereas HbA1c did not change. These results demonstrate that CMV-Hb may be a useful marker for accumulation of oxidative stress in diabetic patients.

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2↗

FK-614, a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma agonist, improves peripheral glucose utilization while decreasing hepatic insulin extraction in alloxan-induced diabetic dogs.

This is the first report of the effects of a nonthiazolidinedione activator of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma, that is, FK-614 (a benzimidazole derivative), on glucose metabolism in vivo. To investigate the effect of FK-614 on peripheral and hepatic insulin action, we performed hyperinsulinemic-hyperglycemic clamp studies combined with the triple-catheter technique and a double-tracer approach in alloxan-diabetic dogs with (n=5) or without (n=6) treatment with FK-614 (0.32 mg/kg per day orally for 10 days). Throughout the experiment, insulin was infused intraportally at 18 pmol/kg per minute and hyperglycemia (approximately 11 mmol/L) was maintained by a peripheral glucose infusion. After a 45-minute basal period (period I), a portal infusion of glucose labeled with [U-14C]-glucose, was administered for 120 minutes (period II) to measure hepatic glucose uptake. This was followed by 90-minute recovery (period III). FK-614 marginally improved peripheral insulin sensitivity, did not affect hepatic glucose uptake, and surprisingly increased tracer-determined hepatic glucose production (19.0+/-5.0 vs 10.6+/-1.7 mumol/kg per minute, P<.001). Hepatic insulin extraction was decreased by FK-614 (47.8%+/-1.6% vs 55.9%+/-3.4%, P<.01), which led to greater peripheral insulin levels and glucose utilization. FK-614 treatment also decreased the daily insulin requirements (regular insulin, 0.18+/-0.01 vs 0.32+/-0.01 U/kg per day; and NPH insulin, 0.53+/-0.02 vs 0.89+/-0.04 U/kg per day; P<.001) to maintain fasting plasma glucose at approximately 10 mmol/L for 7 days before the experiments. We conclude that FK-614 treatment, at the dose used, improves peripheral glucose utilization because of an improvement in peripheral insulin sensitivity and a decrease in insulin clearance, but impairs hepatic insulin action in alloxan-induced diabetic dogs. The reason for the effects of FK-614 on hepatic glucose and insulin metabolism is unclear but they are both consistent with reports of hepatic steatosis by PPARgamma activation when unopposed by concomitant activation of PPARalpha.

Animals↗

Reduction of insulin-stimulated glucose uptake by peroxynitrite is concurrent with tyrosine nitration of insulin receptor substrate-1.

Inducible nitric oxide synthetase plays an essential role in insulin resistance induced by a high-fat diet. The reaction of nitric oxide with superoxide leads to the formation of peroxynitrite (ONOO-), which can modify several proteins. In this study, we investigated whether peroxynitrite impairs insulin-signalling pathway. Our experiments showed that 3-(4-morpholinyl)sydnonimine hydrochloride (SIN-1), a constitutive producer of peroxynitrite, dose-dependently inhibited insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. While SIN-1 did not affect the insulin receptor protein level and tyrosine phosphorylation, it reduced the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) protein level, and IRS-1 associated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI-3 kinase) activity. Although SIN-1 did not induce Ser307 phosphorylation of IRS-1, tyrosine nitration of IRS-1 was detected in SIN-1-treated-Rat1 fibroblasts expressing human insulin receptors. Mass spectrometry showed that peroxynitrite induced at least four nitrated tyrosine residues in rat IRS-1, including Tyr939, which is critical for association of IRS-1 with the p85 subunit of PI-3 kinase. Our results suggest that peroxynitrite reduces the IRS-1 protein level and decreases phosphorylation of IRS-1 concurrent with nitration of its tyrosine residues.

3T3-L1 Cells↗

Accumulation of somatic mutation in mitochondrial DNA and atherosclerosis in diabetic patients.

A point mutation of mitochondrial DNA at nucleotide position 3243 A to G is responsible for the genetic cause of diabetes. Otherwise, this mutation is also reported to occur as a somatic mutation, possibility because of oxidative stress. Because diabetes may cause oxidative stress, we hypothesized that accumulation of the somatic A3243G mutation in mitochondrial DNA may be accelerated by diabetes. DNA was extracted from blood samples of 290 nondiabetic healthy subjects (aged 0-60 years) and from 383 type 2 diabetic patients (aged 18-80 years). Then, the extent of somatic A3243G mutation in total mitochondrial DNA was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the TaqMan probe. The genotyping of ACE I/D or p22phox C242T was done by PCR or PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Although the level of the A3243G mutation was negligible in the newborn group, it increased in healthy subjects aged 20-29 and 41-60 years. In diabetic patients, the mutational rate increased along with age and the duration of diabetes. In the middle-aged group (41-60 years old), the A3243G mutation accumulates fourfold higher in the diabetic patients than in the healthy subjects. Moreover, multiple regression analysis revealed that the most critical factor associated with this mutation in diabetic patients was the duration of diabetes. Furthermore, the genotype of DD, DI-CC (ACE-p22phox) has the highest mutational rate and the thickest intima-media thickness of the carotid artery. In conclusion, diabetes accelerates the accumulation of the somatic A3243G mutation in mitochondrial DNA, and this somatic mutation may be a marker for the duration of diabetes and atherosclerosis.

Adolescent↗

Effect of cilostazol, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, on carotid IMT in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of cilostazol, a cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, on carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and on the incidence of cardiovascular events in Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes. A total of 62 type 2 diabetic subjects were allocated equally to the cilostazol treatment group (n = 31) and the control group (n = 31). Carotid IMT was evaluated before and after treatment using B-mode ultrasonography. After the study period (mean +/- SD: 2.6 +/- 0.17 years), carotid IMT showed a significantly greater increase in the control group than in the cilostazol group (0.12 +/- 0.14 mm vs. 0.04 +/- 0.02 mm, p < 0.05). In the control group, 1 out of 31 patients suffered from symptomatic cerebral infarction and 1 had angina pectoris during the observation period. On the other hand, no subject in the cilostazol group developed cardiovascular events during the study period. At baseline, the diabetic patients given cilostazol had a significantly lower HbA1c level than the control subjects, but the other atherosclerotic risk factors (BMI, blood pressure, and serum lipids) and the duration of diabetes did not differ between the two groups. These results indicate that cilostazol therapy can attenuate the increase of carotid artery IMT in Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes.

Aged↗

Responsiveness of insulin-induced cardiac sympathetic nerve activation associates with blood pressure regulation in diabetics.

To quantitatively evaluate the effect of insulin on cardiac sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) and analyze clinical factors associated with insulin sensitivity for the regulation of SNA in diabetics, 29 Japanese type 2 diabetics without neuropathy were recruited. A 2-h control study and a 2-h hyperinsulinemic euglycemic glucose clamp study were performed. From the power spectral analysis of R-R intervals on ECG during both studies, two major components, the low-frequency (LF) and the high-frequency component (HF), were obtained. Then %LF was calculated as LF/(LF +HF), and the ratio of the average %LF during the last 30 min of the clamp or the control to the average %LF for the entire time for clamp or control (R-%LF) was used as a marker of changes in SNA. R-%LF was significantly higher during the clamp than in the control (1.07 +/- 0.04 vs. 1.03 +/- 0.03, P < 0.05). High responders (individual R-%LF during clamp > or = mean + 2SD in control) showed a higher basal mean blood pressure (BP) before the clamp (89 +/- 3 vs. 82 +/- 2, P < 0.03) but not a higher glucose infusion rate (GIR) compared with low responders (<mean + 2SD). Furthermore, R-%LF showed a positive correlation with basal mean BP (P < 0.02) but not with GIR. These data demonstrate that an acute insulin load stimulates cardiac SNA, and insulin sensitivity in the regulation of SNA may be associated with BP regulation independently of peripheral insulin sensitivity.

Adult↗

Transport of amino acid-related compounds mediated by L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1): insights into the mechanisms of substrate recognition.

The L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) is an Na(+)-independent neutral amino acid transporter subserving the amino acid transport system L. Because of its broad substrate selectivity, system L has been proposed to be responsible for the permeation of amino acid-related drugs through the plasma membrane. To understand the mechanisms of substrate recognition, we have examined the LAT1-mediated transport using a Xenopus laevis oocyte expression system. LAT1-mediated [(14)C]phenylalanine uptake was strongly inhibited in a competitive manner by aromatic-amino acid derivatives including L-dopa, alpha-methyldopa, melphalan, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine, whereas phenylalanine methyl ester, N-methyl phenylalanine, dopamine, tyramine, carbidopa, and droxidopa did not inhibit [(14)C]phenylalanine uptake. Gabapentin, a gamma-amino acid, also exerted a competitive inhibition on LAT1-mediated [(14)C]phenylalanine uptake. Although most of the compounds that inhibited LAT1-mediated uptake were able to induce the efflux of [(14)C]phenylalanine preloaded to the oocytes expressing LAT1 through the obligatory exchange mechanism, melphalan, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine did not induce the significant efflux. Based on the experimental and semiempirical computational analyses, it is proposed that, for an aromatic amino acid to be a LAT1 substrate, it must have a free carboxyl and an amino group. The carbonyl oxygen closer to the amino group needs a computed charge of -0.55 approximately -0.56 and must not participate in hydrogen bonding. In addition, the hydrophobic interaction between the substrate side chain and the substrate binding site of LAT1 seems to be crucial for the substrate binding. A substrate, however, becomes a blocker once Connolly accessible areas become large and/or the molecule has a high calculated logP value, such as those for melphalan, triiodothyronine, and thyroxine.

Amino Acids↗

The composition of dietary fat directly influences glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in rats.

Acute elevations of plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels augment glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Prolonged elevations of FFA levels reportedly impair GSIS, but no one has previously compared GSIS after prolonged exposure to saturated or unsaturated fat. Rats received a low-fat diet (Low-Fat) or one enriched with either saturated (Lard) or unsaturated fat (Soy) for 4 weeks. Insulin responses during hyperglycemic clamps were augmented by saturated but not unsaturated fat (580 +/- 25, 325 +/- 30, and 380 +/- 50 pmol x l(-1) x min(-1) in Lard, Soy, and Low-Fat groups, respectively). Despite hyperinsulinemia, the amount of glucose infused was lower in the Lard compared with the Low-Fat group. Separate studies measured GSIS from the perfused pancreas. Without fatty acids in the perfusate, insulin output in the Lard group (135 +/- 22 ng/30 min) matched that of Low-Fat rats (115 +/- 13 ng/30 min), but exceeded that of Soy rats (80 +/- 7 ng/30 min). When FFAs in the perfusate mimicked the quantity and composition of plasma FFAs in intact animals, in vivo insulin secretory patterns were restored. Because the GSIS of rats consuming Lard diets consistently exceeded that of the Soy group, we also assessed responses after 48-h infusions of lard or soy oil. Again, lard oil exhibited greater insulinotropic potency. These data indicate that prolonged exposure to saturated fat enhances GSIS (but this does not entirely compensate for insulin resistance), whereas unsaturated fat, given in the diet or by infusion, impairs GSIS. Inferences regarding the impact of fatty acids on GSIS that are based on models using unsaturated fat may not reflect the effects of saturated fat.

Animals↗

Insulin resistance and atherosclerosis in branch retinal vein occlusion.

PURPOSE: To investigate insulin resistance and atherosclerotic change in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). SUBJECTS: Sixty-three patients with BRVO, 859 age- and sex-matched control subjects without BRVO who received the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and 53 control subjects, in whom carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) was measured by high-resolution ultrasonography, were included in this study. RESULTS: The area under the curve of immunoreactive insulin in plasma during the OGTT was higher in patients with BRVO than in control subjects without BRVO, both when comparing individuals with normal glucose tolerance (P=.013) and when comparing individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (P<.005). Patients with BRVO showed greater IMT than control subjects, but the differences were significant only in the group aged 50-59 years and in the group older than 70 years. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin resistance may play some role in the onset or progression of BRVO.

Adult↗

Different effects of two alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, acarbose and voglibose, on serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5AG) level.

Serum 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5AG) is a useful glycemic marker in the control of diabetes; however, treated with alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (alpha-GIs), acarbose (Aca) and voglibose (Vog), it tends to show the discrepancy between serum 1,5AG and related glucose levels. Twenty patients were randomly assigned to adding Aca or Vog to the current treatment. We measured serum 1,5AG levels and other parameters of diabetic control before, 2 and 4 weeks after the alpha-GI treatment. We also measured urinary 1,5AG levels using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Glycated albumin, Hb(A1c), and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels were significantly decreased after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment, and the changes were similar in the two groups. Despite the similar urinary excretion of 1,5AG and other glycemic parameters, serum 1,5AG level was significantly lower in the Aca group than in the Vog group (3.4+/-0.5 vs. 7.9+/-1.2 microg/ml, P<.005; mean+/-S.E.) at the period of 4 weeks. Even in the same glycemic level, the less increase of serum 1,5AG after treatment with Aca might be due to a reduction of intestinal 1,5AG absorption via inhibition of alpha-amylase that features Aca.

Acarbose↗