Effects of the naturally-occurring disaccharides, palatinose and sucrose, on incretin secretion in healthy non-obese subjects

Aims/Introduction Incretins might play some pathophysiological role in glucose metabolism in diabetes and obesity; it is not clear whether or not the amount and the pattern of incretin secretion vary with different types of sugars. To evaluate the effect of two types of disaccharides on glucose metabolism and the kinetics of incretin secretion, plasma levels were measured after palatinose or sucrose ingestion in non-obese healthy participants. Materials and Methods The study was carried out on healthy participants who were given a solution containing 50g of palatinose or sucrose for ingestion. Blood samples were obtained before loading and after ingestion. Insulin, glucagon and incretins hormones were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Results When the data were compared between palatinose and sucrose ingestion, both plasma glucose values at 15, 30 and 60min, and plasma insulin values at 15 and 30min after palatinose loading were significantly lower than those after sucrose loading. Plasma levels of total glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide at 1590min after palatinose loading were significantly lower than those after sucrose loading. Plasma levels of total and active glucagon-like peptide-1 at 90min and the area under the curve (60120min) of the total glucagon-like peptide-1 were significantly higher with palatinose-loading than with sucrose loading. Conclusion Compared with sucrose, palatinose appears to have a more favorable effect on glucose metabolism and protection of pancreatic islets as a result of less hyperglycemic and hyperinsulinemic potency.