Effects of Diet High in Medium-Chain Triglyceride on Plasma Ketone, Glucose, and Insulin Concentrations in Enterectomized and Normal Rats.

Abstract

SummaryThe effects of dietary medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) on the concentration of plasma ketone bodies in enterectomized and normal rats were examined, together with the effects on plasma glucose, plasma immuno-reactive insulin, and liver function. Four groups of enter ectomized rats and four groups of normal rats were fed experimental diets containing 0, 6, 11, or 21% of MCT by weight for 6 days. All animals including normal rats received meal-feeding for 3h once a day. On day 3, concentration of plasma ketone bodies in enterectomized rats increased dose-dependently with dietary MCT and the level was higher than that in normal rats. However, all the values in enterectomized rats never exceeded 2mM, the maximum physiological concentration. In contrast, plasma glucose in the enterectomized rats showed a tendency to decrease more clearly and dose-dependently with dietary MCT, followed by a marked increase of insulin secretion compared with those in normal rats. On the final day, no significant differences in the results of liver function tests were observed among these groups. These results indicate that the MCT-induced ketosis was within an acceptable range, and dietary MCT is useful for the suppression of increase in plasma glucose following a surgical operation without any disadvantageous effects on liver function. Key Words medium-chain triglyceride, ketosis, enterectomized rat, normal rat, plasma glucose, plasma insulin, energy source, liver function Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) consisting of saturated fatty acids moieties of 6-12 carbon atoms possesses an energy value as high as long-chain triglyceride (LCT) and has been shown to maintain the growth and development of normal rats (1, 2) and operated rats (3-5) as well. The metabolism of MCT is different from that of LCT. MCT is transported directly to the liver via the hepatic portal circulation and is oxidized mainly into ketones, whereas LCT is absorbed via the intestinal lymphatics and transported as chylomicrons through the thoracic duct to 147

Effects of medium-chain fatty acids on body composition and protien metabolism in overweight rats

“…It has been shown that, after a single dose of MCT, a slight hypoglycemia occurs (5). This change was not observed in our study and insulin and glucose levels did not differ significantly between the two groups as previously reported (9,29), which showed that in the case of moderate MCT content, no increase of ketone bodies concentration is observed.…”

Plasma fatty acids and [13C]linoleic acid metabolism in preterm infants fed a formula with medium-chain triglycerides

“…In the present study, determinations of 13 C excess in plasma phospholipid n-6 fatty acids allowed us to study 18:2n-6 metabolism in the two feeding groups. Since MCT feeding produces a slight hyperinsulinemic response (41,42), it might enhance ⌬5 and ⌬6 desaturase activity (43). However, the ratios of 13 C enrichments and tracer concentrations of precursor and product fatty acids were similar between the feeding groups, indicating no influence of MCT on the fractional conversion of 18:2n-6 toward LCP.…”

Dietary stimulation of the endogenous somatotropic axis in weaner and grower-finisher pigs using medium chain triglycerides and cysteamine hydrochloride

“…There was a significant decrease in circulating insulin concentrations in the MCT-fed weaner pigs. The effect of MCT supplementation on insulin secretion in adult human and rodent studies is equivocal [ 26 ], but the majority reports a slight hyperinsulinemic response [ 27 – 30 ]. In the pig, weaning is usually associated with a decrease in insulin due to the dietary energy deficit [ 31 ].…”