Effects of Acarbose on the relationship between changes in GIP and insulin responses to meals in normal subjects

Abstract

The relationship between changes in gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), C-peptide and insulin responses to meals was studied in 8 normal subjects after 2 weeks of Acarbose treatment. Acarbose caused a significant reduction of GIP and insulin responses (P P < 0.05). The changes in GIP response after Acarbose correlated positively with the change in insulin/C-peptide ratio (r = 0.69; P < 0.05). Our data thus challenge the concept that Acarbose therapy affects the secretion of insulin. The positive relationship between changes in GIP response and changes in the insulin/C-peptide ratio rather suggests that GIP affects the metabolism of insulin or C-peptide.