Effect of soya and cellulose fibers on postprandial glycemic response in type II diabetic patients.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the effect on serum glucose and insulin of a preprandial ingestion of 7 g of soya fibers or of an equal amount of purified cellulose on eight non-insulin-dependent (type II) diabetic patients.


METHODS
Four tests were conducted in each patient in random order. In the first study, soya or cellulose was ingested before a standard breakfast, and postprandial glucose and insulin curves were determined. In the second study, intestinal absorption was investigated by means of a standard D-xylose absorption excretion test after the ingestion of soya or cellulose.


RESULTS
Insulin profiles did not differ between the two treatments. The glycemic profiles after soya ingestion were lower than those after cellulose ingestion. The area under the glucose curve and glucose peaks were significantly higher after cellulose ingestion (area under the curve 20.2 +/- 3.88 vs. 15.57 +/- 4.42 mM x min, P = .05; glucose peaks 4.97 +/- 0.76 vs. 3.77 +/- 0.77 mM, P less than 0.02). The xylose tests were in the normal range, indicating that there was no interference with exose absorption, and no statistical difference was found between cellulose and soya treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
It is concluded that soya fiber compared with purified cellulose has a favorable effect on the rise of postprandial glycemia in type II diabetic patients; moreover, the use of soya fibers did not carry any untoward side effect.
Librenti
M C
MC
Scientific Institute San Raffaele, Department of Medicine, University of Milan Medical School, Italy.
Cocchi
M
M
Orsi
E
E
Pozza
G
G
Micossi
P
P
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002482:Cellulose; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013025:Glycine max
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D007328:Insulin; D002482:Cellulose