Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is an inherited disorder of fatty acid metabolism marked by accumulation of very long chain saturated fatty acids (VLCFA), especially the 26-carbon acid, hexacosanoic acid (HA), in membranes and tissues. We have studied interactions of '3C-enriched HA with model membranes (phospholipid bilayer vesicles) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) by "C NMR spectroscopy to compare properties of HA with those of typical dietary fatty acids. In phospholipid bilayers the carboxyl group of HA is localized in the aqueous interface, with an apparent pK.(7.4) similar to other fatty acids; the acyl chain must then penetrate very deeply into the membrane. Desorption of HA from vesicles (tl/2 = 3 h) is orders of magnitude slower than shorter chain fatty acids. In mixtures of vesicles and BSA, HA partitions much more favorably to phospholipid bilayers than typical fatty acids. BSA binds a maximum of only 1 mole of HA at one binding site. Calorimetric experiments show strong perturbations of acyl chains of phospholipids by HA. We predict that disruptive effects of VLCFA on cell membrane structure and function may explain the neurological manifestations of ALD patients. These effects will be further amplified by slow desorption of VLCFA from membranes and by the ineffective binding to serum albu-

Summary An examination was conducted to verify D -psicose suppressed the elevation of blood glucose and insulin concentration in a dose-dependent manner under the concurrent administration of maltodextrin and D -psicose to healthy humans. Twenty subjects aged 20-39 y, 11 males and 9 females were recruited. A load test of oral maltodextrin was conducted as a randomized single blind study. The subjects took one of five test beverages (7.5 g D -psicose alone, 75 g maltodextrin alone, 75 g maltodextrin ϩ 2.5, 5 or 7.5 g D -psicose). Blood was collected before an intake and at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after an intake. Intervals of administration were at least 1 wk. The load test with 75 g maltodextrin showed significant suppressions of the elevation of blood glucose and insulin concentration under the doses of 5 g or more D -psicose with dose dependency. An independent administration of 7.5 g D -psicose had no influence on blood glucose or insulin concentration. D -Psicose is considered efficacious in the suppression of the elevation of blood glucose concentration after eating in humans.

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These results indicate that resistant maltodextrin ingested with fatty meals suppresses the postprandial elevation of blood triacylglycerol levels.