Non-starch polysaccharides extracted from seaweed can modulate intestinal absorption of glucose and insulin response in the pig

Abstract

-We have investigated the possible effects of algal polysaccharides on postprandial blood glucose and insulin responses in an animal model, the pig. Three seaweed fibres of different viscosities, extracted from Palmaria palmata (PP), Eucheuma cottonii (EC), or Laminaria digitata (LD), were compared to purified cellulose (CEL). Blood glucose and plasma insulin levels were monitored and intestinal absorption quantified for 8 h following a high carbohydrate test-meal supplemented with 5% fibre. Digestive contents were also sampled, 5 h postprandial. As compared to CEL, PP had no effect on glucose and insulin responses. The latter decreased with EC, but glucose absorption balance was not modified. LD addition resulted in a dramatically reduced glucose absorption balance, accompanied by a higher amount of starch left in the small intestine. Among polysaccharides tested, only the highly viscous alginates could affect intestinal absorption of glucose and insulin response. seaweed / non-starch polysaccharides / intestinal absorption / glucoseRésumé -Les fibres alimentaires extraites d'algues peuvent moduler l'absorption intestinale du glucose et la réponse insulinique chez le porc. L'effet des fibres algales sur la réponse glycémique et insulinique a été étudié chez un modèle animal, le porc. Des fibres de viscosité différente, extraites de Palmaria palmata (PP), Eucheuma cottonii (EC), ou Laminaria digitata (LD), ont été comparées à de la cellulose purifiée (CEL). La glycémie et l'insulinémie plasmatique, ainsi que l'absorption intestinale du glucose ont été suivies 8 h après un repas-test hyperglucidique additionné de 5 % de fibres. Des contenus digestifs ont aussi été prélevés 5 h après le repas. L'addition de PP n'a pas modifié les réponses glycémique et insulinique par rapport à CEL. Elles étaient diminuées par l'addition Reprod. Nutr. Dev. 40 (2000) 33-47 33

Algal Polysaccharides, Novel Applications and Outlook

“…Meal supplemented with 5 % kelp alginates decreased glucose absorption balance over 8 hours in pigs. Similar studies have been done on rats and humans (Vaugelade et al 2000). Another health effect is that the binding property of alginic acid to divalent metallic ions is correlated to the degree of the gelation or precipitation in the range of Ba<Pb<Cu<Sr<Cd<Ca<Zn<Ni<Co<Mn<Fe<Mg. No intestinal enzymes can digest alginic acid.…”

Antidiabetic potential of marine algae by inhibiting key metabolic enzymes

“…The phytochemicals and soluble fibres present in the extracts of S. polycystum have cholesterol-lowering effects and affect intestinal glucose absorption (Taskinen 2002;Vaugelade et al 2000). The aqueous extract of S. polycystum contains mostly sulphated polysaccharides, which can reduce hyperglycaemia, dyslipidaemia and oxidative stress by increasing insulin sensitivity in rat models of type 2 diabetes (Motshakeri et al 2013).…”

Daily ingestion of alginate reduces energy intake in free-living subjects

“…This was attributed to fatty acids becoming bound or trapped within the alginate gel matrix. Additionally, sodium alginate has been shown to reduce the intestinal absorption of cholesterol and glucose in various animal models (Kimura et al, 1996, Vaugelade et al, 2000& Jimenez-Escrig and Sanchez-Muniz, 2000. It is apparent that sodium alginate can moderate a number of physiological processes controlling food intake; an effect related to its ability to viscosify and gel within the gastrointestinal tract.…”