Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors are used to treat which condition?

• A. Type 1 Diabetes
• B. Gestational Diabetes
• C. Delay intestinal carbohydrate absorption by inhibiting alpha-glucosidase enzymes, lowering postprandial blood glucose, used in type 2 diabetes.
• D. Impaired glucose tolerance

Answer: (C)

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors work by delaying intestinal carbohydrate absorption. They inhibit the enzymes in the small intestine that break down disaccharides and complex carbohydrates, which blunts the rise in blood glucose after meals. This postprandial glucose lowering makes them useful as an adjunct in type 2 diabetes to help control after-meal hyperglycemia. They are not a standard therapy for type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes, or impaired glucose tolerance, which involve different disease mechanisms and treatment approaches.