Effects of the glucosidase inhibitor acarbose in patients with liver cirrhosis

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Abstract
SUMMARY: In this preliminary study, we examined the effects of acarbose and placebo together with a standardized breakfast on blood glucose levels, on breath hydrogen excretion and on plasma insulin and glucagon levels, in addition, the effects on fasting blood levels of metabolites were studied following an evening meal with acarbose or placebo. Acarbose significantly reduced blood glucose levels in 10 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis following a meal containing 100 g of carbohydrate. There were no significant changes in plasma insulin after breakfast but glucagon levels were increased at 1 h after the meal. Breath hydrogen excretion did not change significantly. Acarbose given with a late evening snack reduced fasting β‐hydroxybutyrate levels the next morning in these cirrhotic patients.