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Global Translational Medicine Glucosidase and metabolic profiles
parameters improved but did not completely normalize SHR/Ntul//-cp rats. These findings are consistent with
in the obese and T2DM rats following the MIG treatment, typical dietary recommendations for the consumption of
it is likely that a longer treatment duration would have complex carbohydrate and fiber-rich diets for a variety of
resulted in a more complete recovery. Although a glucose-intolerant conditions. Furthermore, they suggest
conclusive determination of the physiological mechanism that MIG, when administered as a dietary admixture,
for the lipid-lowering effects could not be made in this may serve as a useful therapeutic adjunct in the treatment
study, the insulin-linked parameters suggest improved of obesity and T2DM, potentially alleviating chronic
insulin sensitivity and insulinogenic actions in peripheral systemic inflammation and pathophysiologic sequelae
tissues, including the liver. This conclusion is supported associated with the obese-diabetic state. Moreover, the
by the partial recovery of HbA1c in MIG-treated rats. clinical effectiveness of luminal glucosidase inhibitors on
Notably, the glycation reaction is considered irreversible lipid parameters may be enhanced by the addition of a
and non-enzymatic, correlated with average plasma cholesterol-lowering agent or other therapeutic adjuncts,
glucose concentrations. Once the glycation reaction has as demonstrated in multiple clinical trials. The clinical
occurred, it is dependent on the typical 4-month lifespan efficacy of MIG has now been demonstrated in numerous
of the normal erythrocyte. Furthermore, the MIG- clinical trials, supporting its effectiveness in treating
treated rats exhibited an approximate 60% recovery in obesity-associated T2DM. 38-42,49,50 While a direct correlation
glucose AUC after only 8 weeks of study, and the hepatic
glycolytic and lipogenic enzymes studied all showed between rodent and human studies cannot be made from
improvements following MIG treatment. Thus, had the the present investigation, the remarkable similarity in
study been extended to several months, the HbA1c levels carbohydrate metabolism and digestive processes between
would likely have decreased closer to those observed in rodents and humans lends credibility to the notion that
non-diabetic animals, around 7% or less, as laboratory the characteristics of T2DM and its pathophysiologic
rats tend to eat more frequently than other mammalian comorbidities combined with the metabolic effects of
species. MIG, are demonstrably similar in both species. Thus, the
results of this investigation support the concept of luminal
The determination of HbA1c levels is considered a modulation of starch digestion as a pharmacotherapeutic
reliable marker for monitoring clinical diabetes therapy adjunct for the treatment of obesity, T2DM, and insulin
and was an important aspect of assessing the effectiveness resistance conditions.
of α-glucosidase inhibition on luminal monosaccharide
generation and insulinogenic action in peripheral tissues Acknowledgments
in the present study. Thus, α-glucosidase inhibitors are
deemed a useful clinical approach for attenuating the None.
insulin-dependent, hyperglycemic sequelae of the obese Funding
and T2DM phenotype in this strain and support their
potential usefulness in treating T2DM in humans. 41,42,49,50 None.
In conclusion, while the effects of MIG and other luminal
glucosidase inhibitors on lipid parameters have sometimes Conflict of interest
been inconclusive, these differences are likely due to The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
variations in experimental models, patient populations,
duration of pre-existing illness, dosages, and agents Author contributions
employed, and the duration of the treatment regimens.
The improvements noted in the present study are likely Conceptualization: Orien L. Tulp
attributable to an improved economy of insulin sensitivity, Formal analysis: All authors
glucose utilization, and lipid metabolism in peripheral Investigation: Orien L. Tulp
tissues. Methodology: Orien L. Tulp
Writing – original draft: All authors
5. Conclusion Writing – review & editing: All authors
The short-term administration of a modest dosage of Ethics approval and consent to participate
the α-glucosidase inhibitor MIG, in the presence of a
high glycemic index sucrose-enriched diet, was found The research ethics committee of the University of
to be effective in attenuating excess weight gain and Science, Arts, and Technology approved the study. It was
increases in plasma cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and also approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use
HDL-cholesterol concentrations in adult male obese Committee (Approval Number: 2016/009; 2024).
Volume 4 Issue 2 (2025) 67 doi: 10.36922/gtm.6501

