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A systematic review, meta-analysis, dose-response, and meta-regression of the effects of acarbose intake on glycemic markers in adults
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  • Sina Raissi Dehkordi,
  • Naseh Pahlavani,
  • Mahlagha Nikbaf-Shandiz,
  • Reza Bagheri,
  • Niloufar Rasaei,
  • Melika Darzi,
  • Samira Rastgoo,
  • Farideh Shiraseb,
  • Omid Asbaghi
Sina Raissi Dehkordi
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
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Naseh Pahlavani
Torbat Heydarieh University of Medical Sciences
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Mahlagha Nikbaf-Shandiz
Tabriz University of Medical Sciences
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Reza Bagheri
Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
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Niloufar Rasaei
Tehran University of Medical Sciences
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Melika Darzi
Azad University
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Samira Rastgoo
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences
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Farideh Shiraseb
Tehran University of Medical Sciences
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Omid Asbaghi

Corresponding Author:omid.asbaghi@gmail.com

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Abstract

Background: Prior research has yielded mixed results regarding the impact of acarbose intake on glycemic markers. To provide a more comprehensive analysis, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to compile data from various randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the effects of acarbose intake on fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in adults. Methods: To identify relevant literature up to April 2023, a comprehensive search was conducted on various scholarly databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The effect size of the studies was evaluated using a random-effects model to calculate the weighted mean differences (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using Cochran’s Q test and I2. Results: This systematic review and meta-analysis included a total of 101 RCTs with a total of 107 effect sizes. The effect sizes for FBS in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl), insulin in picomoles per liter (pmol/l), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) in percentage (%), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were 92, 46, 80, and 22, respectively. The pooled analysis indicated that acarbose intake resulted in significant decreases in FBS (p=0.018), insulin (p<0.001), HbA1c (p<0.001), and HOMA-IR (p<0.001). Conclusion: The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that acarbose intake can potentially lead to significant improvements in glycemic indices by decreasing the levels of FBS, HbA1c, and insulin. However, larger and more rigorously designed studies are still needed to further evaluate and strengthen this association.