Effects of Xylitol as a Sugar Substitute on Diabetes-Related Parameters in Nondiabetic Rats

Abstract

The present study was examined the effects of xylitol feeding on diabetes-associated parameters in nondiabetic rats. Seven-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: control (five rats), sucrose (six rats), and xylitol (six rats). Animal had free access to a commercial rat pellet diet, and ad libitum water, 10% sucrose solution, and 10% xylitol solution were supplied to the control, sucrose, and xylitol groups, respectively. After 3 weeks of feeding of experimental diets, food intakes were significantly (P<.05) lower in the sucrose and xylitol groups compared with the control group. Drink intake was significantly higher in the sucrose group but significantly lower in the xylitol group compared with the control group. Body weight gain was significantly lower in the xylitol group compared with the sucrose group. Weekly nonfasting blood glucose was significantly increased, but fasting blood glucose was significantly decreased, in the sucrose group compared with the control and xylitol groups. Significantly better glucose tolerance was observed in the xylitol group compared with the control and sucrose groups. Serum insulin and fructosamine concentrations were not significantly influenced by the feeding of xylitol or sucrose. Relative liver weight and liver glycogen were significantly increased in the xylitol group compared with the sucrose group, whereas no difference was observed between the xylitol and control groups. Serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were significantly decreased in the sucrose and xylitol groups, and serum triglyceride of the xylitol group, but not the sucrose group, was significantly increased compared with the control group. Data of this study suggest that xylitol can be a better sweetener than sucrose to maintain diabetes-related parameters at a physiologically safer and stable condition.

Effects of Xylitol on Blood Glucose, Glucose Tolerance, Serum Insulin and Lipid Profile in a Type 2 Diabetes Model of Rats

“…However, the demand for alternative nonsugar sweeteners with fewer or no side effects is increasing, particularly amongst people who are overweight, obese, diabetic or suffer from a metabolic syndrome. Recently, we reported that xylitol can be a better alternative to sucrose and chemically originated artificial sweeteners, not only due to its sweetening power but also for its tendency to work as an antidiabetic agent [26]. However, that study was conducted as a preliminary measure to examine the effects of xylitol on diabetes-related parameters in nondiabetic rats.…”

“…In contrast, sugar alcohols have been reported to be better alternative sweeteners with similar sweetness but relatively lower calorific value compared to sucrose, and have many other beneficial effects on health [26,27]. Among the many sugar alcohols, xylitol has been reported as a better sweetener due to reduced or nonexistent side effects, lower calorific value (2.4 vs. 4.0 kcal/g) and lower cariogenicity compared to sucrose.…”

“…In a recent review, it has also been reported that xylitol has a proven preventive effect on dental caries in humans [27]. It has also been shown to have significant effects on ameliorating several diabetes-related abnormalities in nondiabetic rats [26]. In another recent Japanese study, it has been reported that a diet containing 1 or 2 grams of xylitol per 100 kcal of energy significantly reduced the visceral fat content in high-fat diet-fed rats [28].…”

The Effects of Xylitol on Body Weight Loss Management and Lipid Profile on Diet-Induced Obesity Mice

“…They suggested that dietary xylitol has a modest effect towards lipid absorption in mice. It also reported that total serum cholesterol level was significantly lower in xylitol rats compared to the control group [5] [13]. However, no significant differences in serum triglycerides were observed between xylitol and control rats [12].…”

“…This might be because xylitol supplementation has the ability in suppressing hepatic triglycerides and other cholesterol concentrations of mice induced by high-fat diet. Islam (2011) has reported that xylitol has significant effects in most serum lipids of animal lab. In addition, a recent study by Amo et al (2011) reported that 8 weeks feeding of xylitol could significantly decrease the serum lipid profile in normal rats fed with a high-fat diet except for HDL-cholesterol, although the food intake data was not presented in their report.…”