Dose-dependent inhibition of the post-prandial glycaemic response to a standard carbohydrate meal following incorporation of alpha-cyclodextrin.
BACKGROUND
This study evaluated the dose-response effects of alpha-cyclodextrin, a cyclic oligosaccharide, on the glycaemic and insulinaemic responses to the consumption of a standard carbohydrate meal.


METHODS
In a double-blind, randomised, cross-over design, 10 healthy subjects consumed boiled white rice containing 50 g of digestible carbohydrate to which 0 (control), 2, 5 or 10 g of alpha-cyclodextrin was added. Plasma glucose and insulin concentrations were determined prior to and for 2 h after consumption of each meal.


RESULTS
The area under the plasma glucose curve was negatively related to the dose of alpha-cyclodextrin (r(2)=0.97, p=0.02), with the areas being significantly reduced at the 5- and 10-gram doses compared with the control (p<0.05). alpha-Cyclodextrin did not affect the area under the plasma insulin curve (p=0.39). Higher doses of alpha-cyclodextrin resulted in greater satiety, but were associated with reduced palatability and an increased incidence of minor gastrointestinal complaints (stomach ache, nausea, bloating).


CONCLUSIONS
alpha-Cyclodextrin reduces the glycaemic response to a standard carbohydrate meal in a dose-dependent manner and may be useful as an ingredient for reducing the glycaemic impact of such foods.
Buckley
Jonathan D
JD
Nutritional Physiology Research Centre, Australian Technology Network Centre for Metabolic Fitness, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia. jon.buckley@unisa.edu.au
Thorp
Alicia A
AA
Murphy
Karen J
KJ
Howe
Peter R C
PR
D000328:Adult; D019540:Area Under Curve; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D038321:Glycemic Index / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D019518:Postprandial Period; D012528:Satiety Response / Q000187:drug effects; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects; D047391:alpha-Cyclodextrins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D007328:Insulin; D047391:alpha-Cyclodextrins; C032613:alpha-cyclodextrin