Catalytic amounts of fructose may improve glucose tolerance in subjects with uncontrolled non-insulin-dependent diabetes.
BACKGROUND
It was suggested that acute ingestion of small amounts of fructose can improve glucose homeostasis.


OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of a long-term tri-daily supplementation of catalytic amounts of fructose on glucose tolerance of subjects with type 2 diabetes (NIDDM).


METHODS
A double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Twenty-six subjects with uncontrolled NIDDM as indicated by high levels of hemoglobin A1C (Hgb(A1c)) and 2-h postprandial glucose levels >200 mg% were assigned to either fructose or maltodextrin supplementation (7.5 g) tri-daily after each main meal. The subjects were challenged with a fixed meal and blood was drawn for determining levels of glucose, insulin and triglycerides before and 2 h after meal at baseline and 1 month after study entry. Blood was drawn for total cholesterol, high-density and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), fructosamine and Hgb(A1C) before study entry and at 1, 2 and 3 months into the study.


RESULTS
No changes were observed in the difference between postprandial and pre-meal glucose, insulin or triglyceride levels in each group or between groups. No significant statistical differences were found in weight, total cholesterol, LDL-c and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) in each group or between groups along the study period. After 1 month fructosamin levels decreased in the fructose-supplemented group but not in the maltodextrin-supplemented group (P<0.052). Hgb(A1C) levels decreased with time in both groups but were significantly lower at 2 months in the fructose group as compared to the maltodextrin group (P<0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Subjects with NIDDM may benefit from daily supplementation of catalytic amounts of fructose in their diet.
Vaisman
Nachum
N
The Clinical Nutrition Unit, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6 Weizmann Street, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel. vaisman@tasmc.health.gov.il
Niv
Eva
E
Izkhakov
Yelena
Y
D000368:Aged; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D050260:Carbohydrate Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D019270:Fructosamine / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D005632:Fructose / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019518:Postprandial Period; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D019270:Fructosamine; D005632:Fructose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D014280:Triglycerides