THE EFFECT OF TWO NEW α‐GLUCOSIDASE INHIBITORS ON METABOLIC RESPONSES TO A MIXED MEAL IN NORMAL VOLUNTEERS

1. α‐Glucosidase inhibitors delay carbohydrate absorption and have been proposed as adjunctive therapy for diabetes mellitus. 2. To determine the effects of two new α‐glucosidase inhibitors, Bay‐m‐1099 and Bay‐o‐1248, on meal carbohydrate and lipid tolerance, plasma glucose, insulin and triglyceride levels were measured at 15–60 min intervals over 12 h after ingestion of a standard breakfast, lunch and dinner of identical composition in 31 normal volunteers. 3. The volunteers were randomized to receive either Bay‐m‐1099 (50 or 25 mg) or placebo prior to each meal, or the single administration of Bay‐o‐1248 (20 or 10 mg) or placebo prior to breakfast. 4. Only Bay‐m‐1099 at the 50 mg dose reduced significantly the postprandial increase in plasma insulin levels after each meal when compared with placebo (25, 36, 54% at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, respectively; P<0.05). Both drugs were well tolerated, with side effects limited to complaints of flatulence. 5. Thus, with the dosage schedule employed, Bay‐m‐1099, but not Bay‐o‐1248, significantly reduced postprandial increments in plasma insulin.