Effect of the alpha-glucosidase inhibitor Bay-O-1248 on the metabolic response of nondiabetic and diabetic rats to a high-carbohydrate diet.

The metabolic consequences of the addition of a new alpha-glucosidase inhibitor (BAY-O-1248) to a high carbohydrate diet (67% by calories) in which the carbohydrate comprised equal quantities (50% wt/wt) of wheat starch and sucrose (Diet A) or 100% glucose (Diet B) was studied in diabetic and nondiabetic rats. BAY-O-1248 led to a significant reduction in daily food intake and weight gain in rats fed Diet A but not Diet B. In diabetic rats fed Diet A with BAY-O-1248, daily urinary glucose was significantly diminished (6820 +/- 402 vs 3796 +/- 210 mg), while the postprandial plasma glucose excursions were similar. In nondiabetic rats, the addition of BAY-O-1248 decreased the postprandial plasma glucose level with no change in urine glucose. In summary, addition of an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor to a starch plus sucrose containing diet led to reductions in glycosuria (diabetic rats) and serum glucose levels (normal rats).