Mediating effect of acarbose on neurotransmitters in mental disorders: a review

Abstract

Acarbose is used to control postprandial blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance, since it improves insulin resistance and reduces blood lipids and cardiovascular complications. However, in recent years, many studies have found that acarbose can mediate and regulate a variety of neurotransmitter-related diseases, although the mechanisms are not clear. Therefore, this paper analyzes the clinical effect of acarbose and its mediating effect on neurotransmitters of mental disorders through insulin, brain-gut axis, and calorie restriction, to provide a reference for the new clinical applications of acarbose.

Keywords

acarbose / neurotransmitter / insulin / brain-gut axis / calorie restriction