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Role of α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase (Key Enzymes Linked to Type 2 Diabetes) Activities in the Management/Prevention of Diabetes Mellitus
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Biochemistry and Toxicology
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic, progressive metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, progressive β-cell dysfunction, and persistent hyperglycemia, with postprandial hyperglycemia frequently prededing fasting glucose abnormalities in early disease. The global burden of diabetes continues to rise at an alarming rate. The International Diabetes Federation estimated that 10.5% of adults aged 20–79 years were living with diabetes in 2021, with prevalence projected to increase to 11.3% by 2030 and 12.2% by 2045. Approximately 90% of these cases are attributable to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), highlighting its dominant contribution to the worldwide diabetes epidemic. α-Amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) and α-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.20) are brush-border and pancreatic enzymes that sequentially hydrolyze complex dietary carbohydrates into glucose. Because their catalytic efficiency directly governs the rate of postprandial glucose inflow into the circulation, pharmacological inhibition of these enzymes has emerged as a rational and clinically validated strategy to attenuate PPHG and its associated metabolic and cardiovascular sequelae. The present review critically examines the structure, physiological function, and pathophysiological contributions of α-amylase and α-glucosidase; collates mechanistic, preclinical, and clinical evidence supporting synthetic (acarbose, miglitol, voglibose) and naturally derived inhibitors; discusses recent advances in nanocarrier-based delivery and structure-guided inhibitor design; and evaluates the emerging roles of combination therapy, nutrigenomics, and personalized medicine. It is therefore concluded that, despite the challenges posed by gastrointestinal adverse effects and inter-individual variability, enzyme inhibition remains a cornerstone of multimodal therapeutic strategies for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with significant potential for further optimization through the development of more selective, effective, and better-tolerated agents.
Keywords
α-Amylase, α-Glucosidase, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Postprandial Hyperglycemia, Enzyme Inhibition, Acarbose, Flavonoids, Nanocarriers, Nutrigenomics
References
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How to cite this paper
@article{1719443,
author = {Bada, S. O.},
title = {Role of α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase (Key Enzymes Linked to Type 2 Diabetes) Activities in the Management/Prevention of Diabetes Mellitus},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2021},
volume = {5},
number = {4},
pages = {447-457},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1719443.pdf},
abstract = {Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic, progressive metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance, progressive β-cell dysfunction, and persistent hyperglycemia, with postprandial hyperglycemia frequently prededing fasting glucose abnormalities in early disease. The global burden of diabetes continues to rise at an alarming rate. The International Diabetes Federation estimated that 10.5% of adults aged 20–79 years were living with diabetes in 2021, with prevalence projected to increase to 11.3% by 2030 and 12.2% by 2045. Approximately 90% of these cases are attributable to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), highlighting its dominant contribution to the worldwide diabetes epidemic. α-Amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) and α-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.20) are brush-border and pancreatic enzymes that sequentially hydrolyze complex dietary carbohydrates into glucose. Because their catalytic efficiency directly governs the rate of postprandial glucose inflow into the circulation, pharmacological inhibition of these enzymes has emerged as a rational and clinically validated strategy to attenuate PPHG and its associated metabolic and cardiovascular sequelae. The present review critically examines the structure, physiological function, and pathophysiological contributions of α-amylase and α-glucosidase; collates mechanistic, preclinical, and clinical evidence supporting synthetic (acarbose, miglitol, voglibose) and naturally derived inhibitors; discusses recent advances in nanocarrier-based delivery and structure-guided inhibitor design; and evaluates the emerging roles of combination therapy, nutrigenomics, and personalized medicine. It is therefore concluded that, despite the challenges posed by gastrointestinal adverse effects and inter-individual variability, enzyme inhibition remains a cornerstone of multimodal therapeutic strategies for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), with significant potential for further optimization through the development of more selective, effective, and better-tolerated agents.},
keywords = {α-Amylase, α-Glucosidase, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Postprandial Hyperglycemia, Enzyme Inhibition, Acarbose, Flavonoids, Nanocarriers, Nutrigenomics},
month = {October},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV5I4-1719443}
}