Effect of L-arabinose on blood glucose level after ingestion of sucrose-containing food in human

• Published in: Nihon Eiyō, Shokuryō Gakkai shi Vol. 53; no. 6; pp. 243 - 247
• Main Authors: Inoue, S. (National Inst. of Nutrition, Tokyo (Japan)), Sanai, K, Seri, K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Japan Society of Nutrition and Food Science 2000
• Subjects: ARABINOSE; blood glucose; BLOOD SUGAR; diabetes; FOOD INTAKE; human; L-arabinose; MANKIND; SUCROSE
• ISSN: 0287-3516; 1883-2849
• DOI: 10.4327/jsnfs.53.243

L-Arabinose selectively inhibits intestinal sucrase activity in vitro and suppresses the glycemic response in a dose-dependent manner in experimental animals. In the present study, we investigated the effect of L-arabinose on the glycemic response of healthy volunteers and patients with type 2 diabetes. In the first experiment using a cross-over design, eight fasted normal volunteers were each given 50g of sucrose with and without 2g of L-arabinose. The increases of plasma glucose and serum insulin were significantly lower in the individuals given both L-arabinose and sugar. In the second experiment, the dose-dependency of L-arabinose was evaluated. Forty normal volunteers over 40 years old were given a jelly containing 30g of sucrose with added L-arabinose in ratios of 0%, 2%, 3% and 4% (w/w)(n=10). L-Arabinose at 3% and 4% significantly suppressed the increase of plasma glucose at 30min after ingestion. In the third experiment, patients with type 2 diabetes (n=10) were given the jelly with 3% (w/w) added L-arabinose using a cross-over design. L-Arabinose suppressed the maximal increase of plasma glucose after sucrose ingestion. These results demonstrate that L-arabinose attenuates sucrose-induced hyperglycemia both in normal subjects and diabetic patients, presumably through inhibition of intestinal sucrase activity.