The Role of Acarbose in the Treatment and Prevention of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2: New Opportunities in Cardiovascular Risk Decrease

Abstract

It is well known that during last 10 years there is a significant growth in the number of patients with diabetes mellitus type 2. Early stages of glucose metabolism impairment such as glucose intolerance should be paid more attention. Diet and life style modification as well as acarbose (Glucobay) intake can result in glycemia normalization and prevent about one third of diabetes cases. Acarbose (Glucobay) can also improve coagulation factors, lipids, diminish oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, insulin and proinsulin level due to the decrease of postprandial glycemia and peripheral insulin resistance. As a consequence a reduction of patients' body mass index and cardiovascular risk is observed. We conclude that acarbose (Glucobay) must be administered oftener in patients with prediabetes and diabetes mellitus type 2 as monotherapy in case of postprandial hyperglycemia and as the second drug if normoglycemia is not achieved, as it can be combined with any hypoglycemic drug.