A 45-year-old man with type 2 diabetes and a BMI of 34 kg/m2 is started on acarbose. The mechanism of acarbose involves competitive inhibition of which enzyme?
- A Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4)
- B Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) in the proximal tubule
- C Alpha-glucosidase in the small intestinal brush border ✓
- D Aldose reductase in the polyol pathway
Correct answer: C. Alpha-glucosidase in the small intestinal brush border
Explanation
Acarbose is an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor that delays carbohydrate digestion and glucose absorption in the small intestine, reducing postprandial hyperglycemia. DPP-4 is inhibited by sitagliptin. SGLT2 is inhibited by empagliflozin. Aldose reductase is not a target of standard oral hypoglycemics.
Reference: Katzung's Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 15th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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