Inhibition of sucrose digestion and absorption by L-arabinose in rats

• Published in: Nihon Eiyō, Shokuryō Gakkai shi Vol. 50; no. 2; pp. 133 - 137
• Main Authors: Sanai, K. (Godo Shusei Co. Ltd., Matsudo, Chiba (Japan)), Seri, K, Inoue, S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan Society of Nutrition and Food Science 1997
• Subjects: 14C-labeled sucrose; ABSORCION DIGESTIVA; ABSORPTION DIGESTIVE; ARABINOSA; ARABINOSE; blood glucose; DIGESTIVE ABSORPTION; ENERGY METABOLISM; expiratory 14CO2; L-arabinose; METABOLISME ENERGETIQUE; METABOLISMO ENERGETICO; RAT; RATA; RATS; SACCHAROSE; sucrase inhibitor; SUCROSA; SUCROSE
• ISSN: 0287-3516; 1883-2849
• DOI: 10.4327/jsnfs.50.133

L-arabinose, a natural, sweet and less absorptive pentose, has been recognized to have a selective inhibitory effect on intestinal sucrase activity. In this study, we evaluated the effects of L-arabinose on gastrointestinal digestion and absorption of 14C-labeled sucrose in rats, and also studied the suppressive effects of L-arabinose on the increase in blood glucose after sucrose loading. Uniformly 14C-labeled sucrose was orally administered at a dose of 2.5g/kg with or without L-arabinose, and cumulative expiratory 14CO2 and residual radioactivities in the gastrointestinal tract were measured for 6h. The cumulative expiratory 14CO2 was significantly reduced dose-dependently by L-arabinose (50, 250mg/kg), and also a large quantity of undigested 14C-labeled sucrose and its metabolites was observed in the cecum in L-arabinose-treated rats. We also observed potent suppressive effects of L-arabinose on the increase of blood glucose after sucrose loading in rats. These results indicate that L-arabinose delays and reduces the digestion, absorption and net energy of sucrose when both are simultaneously ingested.