Carbohydrate digestion enzymes

Carbohydrate digestion enzymes represent a group of hydrolases responsible for breaking down complex dietary polysaccharides and oligosaccharides into absorbable monosaccharides. This group primarily includes salivary and pancreatic alpha-amylase, which initiate starch degradation, and the brush-border disaccharidases such as maltase-glucoamylase, sucrase-isomaltase, and lactase. In a therapeutic context, these enzymes are major targets for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus. By inhibiting these enzymes, particularly alpha-glucosidase, the rate of carbohydrate digestion is slowed, leading to a delayed and reduced rise in postprandial blood glucose levels. While effective for glycemic control, pharmacological modulation of these enzymes often results in gastrointestinal side effects due to the fermentation of undigested carbohydrates by colonic bacteria.

Other names

Digestive glycoside hydrolasesEnteric enzymesStarch-degrading enzymesDisaccharidases

Competitive inhibition of membrane-bound intestinal alpha-glucoside hydrolase enzymes and pancreatic alpha-amylase, which delays the absorption of glucose and reduces postprandial blood glucose excursions.