AI(I)DA Acarbose and the Subclinical Inflammation

Placebo Controlled Investigation on Action of Acarbose on the Sub-Clinical Inflammation and Immune Response in Early Type 2 Diabetes and Atherosclerosis Risk

Acarbose an alphaglucosidase inhibitor changes in a complex way the transport, the digestion and the place of glucose release and absorption. As a result the intestinal milieu, the intestinal flora and the provision of enzymes in the lower small destine are changed. This should modify immune response of intestinal wall on food and its proinflammatory effects. The small intestine is the biggest immune organ of the organism. The postprandial glucose increase could have a direct effect on low-grade inflammation. Toxic effects (glucotoxicity), activation of the immune system and low grad inflammation could be reasons of developing endothelial dysfunction and affect plaque stability. The activity of the lymphocyte immune system in the intestine would be a further component, by which acarbose could take influence on diabetogenesis and atherogenesis. The question of an enterovasal axis is one of the new research concepts. As indicators of this axis considered: leucocytes, high sensitive C-reactive protein, plasminogen activator inhibitor antigen and lymphocytes sub-populations. The effect of acarbose on these parameters in the postprandial phase are not known yet.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Subclinical Inflammation
• Intervention / Treatment: Drug: acarbose

Detailed Description

Acarbose, an alpha-glucosidase-inhibitor, delays the release of glucose out of complex carbohydrates in the upper small intestine. The digestion of carbohydrates after acarbose intake therefore mainly takes place in the lower small intestine and colon. Through this innovative mode of action the postprandial hyperglycemia is specifically delayed and flattened. Acarbose is used for more of 15 years for the therapy of type 2 diabetes. Efficiency and safety in treating diabetes were proved in extensive studies. Until today no serious side effects under acarbose were reported, the reduction of HbA1c is 0.7-1 %. Three large prospective studies and metaanalysis resp., could prove that acarbose has a highly significant positive effect on the incidence and progression of cardiovascular disease in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes resp. In the STOP-NIDDM-trail in persons with prediabetes as well as in the meta-analysis in type 2 diabetes (MERIA) the event rate in the acarbose group was ~ 50 % lower. In a substudy of the STOP-NIDDM intervention study a ca. 50 % lower progression of the intima-media-thickness of the A. carotis communis was documented under acarbose in comparison with placebo. In multivariate analysis acarbose was always the most important independent determinant of vasoprotective effects. Epidemiological investigations, even as controlled prospective studies, cannot establish causal relationships. Thus the question rises wether acarbose has - besides the known therapeutic effect on postprandial hyperglycemia pleiotropic effects, which lead to the documented preventive effects on cardiovascular complications. This would be of principal importance for the use of acarbose in patients with prediabetes / type 2 diabetes and increased vascular risk. So far acarbose is the only cardiovascular oral antidiabetic drug in people with IGT.

Working hypothesis:

Acarbose changes in a complex way the transport, the digestion and the place of glucose release and absorption. As a result the intestinal milieu, the intestinal flora and the provision of enzymes in the lower small intestine are changed. This should modify immune response of intestinal wall on food and its proinflammatory effects. The small intestine is the biggest immune organ of the organism. The postprandial glucose increase could have a direct effect on low-grade inflammation. Toxic effects (glucotoxicity), activation of the immune system and low-grade inflammation could be reasons of developing endothelial dysfunction and affect plaque stability. The activity of the lymphocyte immune system in the intestine would be a further component, by which acarbose could take influence on diabetogenesis and atherogenesis. The question after an enterovasal axis is now one of the most fascinating new research concepts and basis of incretin-related drug treatment of diabetes resp. As intravasal indicator for low-grade inflammation are considered: leucocytes, high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and plasminogen activator inhibitor active antigen (PAI1) as well as lymphocytes subpopulations. The effects of acarbose on these parameters in the postprandial phase are not known yet.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 104
• Phase: Phase 3

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Germany
  • Dresden, Germany, 01187
    • GWT-TUD GmbH; Centre for Clinical Studies

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 30 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion criteria:

In this study patients with type 2 diabetes are included, who fulfil the following criteria:

• type 2 diabetes by WHO criteria, aged 30-75
• HbA1c ≥ 6.5 % < 8.0 % and/or 2h 75 OGTT plasma glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/l
• fasting leucocytes count ≥ 6.2 GPt/l (median for newly diagnosed type 2 patients in RIAD) and/or hsCRP ≥ 1.0 mg/dl and < 10 mg/dl (earlier 2.8 mg/dl)
• informed consent

Exclusion criteria:

Excluded were patients with one of the following criteria:

• contraindication for acarbose
• chronic gastrointestinal disease
• prior antidiabetic treatment
• intake of statins or drugs with antiinflammatory effects
• acute or chronic inflammatory diseases
• MI or stroke < 6 months before entry
• immune diseases
• neoplasia
• diseases with acute weight loss

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: 1; treatment with Acarbose: 2 weeks 1 x 50mg; 2 weeks 3 x 50mg; 16 weeks 3 x 100mg	Drug: acarbose; oral application
Placebo Comparator: 2; treatment with placebo: 2 weeks 1 x 50mg 2 weeks 3 x 50mg 16 weeks 3 x 100mg	Drug: acarbose; oral application

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
effect of treatment of leucocyte count before and after test meal	20 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
identification of gene arrays are registered of relevant pharmacodynamic structures and metabolism ways. Histological examinations of bioptats; Blood: hsCRP, PAI1; Lymphocyte subpopulations; blood lipids, plasma glucose fasting and postprandial	20 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: GWT-TUD GmbH
• Collaborators: Technische Universität Dresden; University of Regensburg; Diakonissen Krankenhaus Dresden, Germany
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Markolf Hanefeld, PhD, MD, GWT-TUD GmbH, Centre for Clinical Studies

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 1, 2005
• Study Completion (Actual): May 1, 2007

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: November 14, 2007
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 14, 2007
• First Posted (Estimate): November 15, 2007

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): April 11, 2008
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 10, 2008
• Last Verified: April 1, 2008

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Glucose Metabolism Disorders; Metabolic Diseases; Endocrine System Diseases; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Inflammation; Hypoglycemic Agents; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Enzyme Inhibitors; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; Acarbose
• Other Study ID Numbers: AI(I)DA