Study of Acarbose in Longevity

Study of Changes in Muscle and Fat Gene Transcription With Acarbose Treatment: a Crossover Study

The investigators are studying the effects of acarbose on muscle and adipose gene transcription in older adults.

Acarbose, an FDA approved drug for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, has known effects on glucose metabolism. Evidence from mice indicates that acarbose may prolong lifespan. In humans, acarbose improves inflammatory markers and reduces cardiovascular events. Consequently, acarbose is of interest in clinical translational aging research since it may influence fundamental processes that contribute to age-related diseases. The study described herein is an exploratory study to examine the effect of acarbose treatment on the biology of aging in humans. Specifically, the investigators plan to study whether treatment with a 10 week course of acarbose will alter the gene expression profile in adipose tissue and muscle in older adults in pathways that are known to be affected by human aging, in a placebo-controlled crossover study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male
• age >60 years
• impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)

Exclusion Criteria:

• cancer
• heart failure
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• inflammatory conditions
• estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) <45
• active liver disease
• poorly controlled hypertension
• epilepsy
• recent cardiovascular disease event (last 6 months)
• inflammatory bowel disease
• history of bariatric or other gastric surgery
• cigarette smoking
• serious substance abuse.
• Treatment with drugs known to influence glucose metabolism
• Hypersensitivity to acarbose or any component of the formulation.
• Treatment with anti-coagulant medications or anti-platelet drugs