[Pharmacological treatment of postprandial hyperglycemia in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus].

Several epidemiological studies have shown an association between postprandial hyperglycemia and mortality from cardiovascular disease. Postprandial hyperglycemia is frequently associated with visceral obesity which plays a key role in metabolic abnormalities such as dyslipidemia and hypertension. Inhibitors of alpha-glucosidase and nateglinide have beneficial effects on the metabolic syndrome associated with visceral obesity. Voglibose in combination with diet therapy reduces visceral fat deposition and ameliorates insulin resistance. Acarbose slightly reduces blood pressure of hypertensive diabetic patients. Nateglinide, a rapidly acting insulin secretagogue, lowers postprandial glucose levels without significant body weight gain. These drugs may protect pancreatic beta-cells from postprandial glucose toxicity and prevent the progression of diabetes.