Effect of a novel palatinose-based liquid balanced formula (MHN-01) on glucose and lipid metabolism in male Sprague-Dawley rats after short- and long-term ingestion

Postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia are often present in obese subjects with glucose intolerance in whom insufficient early phase insulin secretion and subsequent delayed hyperinsulin response are observed. To address this problem, a novel palatinose-based enteral formula designated as MHN-01 was developed for the prevention of postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia. The effects of MHN-01 on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were compared with those of the standard balanced formula (SBF). After a bolus intragastric injection of each formula equivalent to 0.9g/kg carbohydrate, the peak levels of plasma glucose (PG) and insulin (IRI) in peripheral and portal veins of the MHN-01 group were significantly lower than those of the SBF group. The areas under the curve of PG and IRI in the MHN-01 group were 58.0% and 43.1% of those in the SBF group in the femoral vein and 65.0% and 69.3% in the portal vein, respectively. In the 2-month study, serum levels of IRI and triglyceride in peripheral blood in the MHN-01 group decreased and those in the SBF group increased compared with initial levels. Consequently, both levels in the MHN-01 group were significantly lower than those in the SBF group. In addition, the amount of accumulated fat in abdominal adipose tissue and liver tissue of the MHN-01 group was markedly reduced in comparison to that of the SBF group. Insulin sensitivity, evaluated as glucose infusion rate using the hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp technique, in the MHN-01 group was higher than that in the SBF group. Thus, in comparison to SBF, MHN-01 suppressed postprandial hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, reduced visceral fat accumulation, and improved insulin sensitivity. Therefore, human study on the effects of MHN-01 on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism will be recommended to confirm whether MHN-01 may be a useful functional food for the treatment and prevention of insulin resistance. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.