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PubMed1977

Insulin sensitivity and adipose tissue weight of rats fed starch or sucrose diets ad libitum or in meals.

The deposition of edidymal and perirenal fat, serum insulin levels, and insulin sensitivity of epididymal fat, expressed as the insulin-stimulated production of CO2 from glucose, were determined in Wistar rats fed diets containing either 54% starch or sucrose ad libitum or pair-fed in meals. Regardless of the pattern of feeding, sucrose-fed rats deposited more adipose tissue per 100 g body weight and exhibited less insulin sensitivity than did starch-fed rats. Significant differences in adipose tissue weights were not always accompanied by significant differences in body weights. Meal-fed rats deposited less adipose tissue and showed a greater insulin sensitivity than did ad libitum rats fed the same carbohydrate. However, when changes in feeding pattern negated the difference in adipose weights there was no difference in the insulin sensitivity of the meal-fed and ad libitum-fed rats. Rats consuming the sucrose diet generally exhibited significantly higher fasting serum insulin levels than did rats consuming the starch diet. The serum insulin values tended to be higher in the ad libitum-fpididymal tissue from the meal-fed and starch-fed rats tended to be greater than that of the sucrose-fed or ad libitum-fed rats, respectively, suggesting differences in adipocyte composition. Since obesity, insulin insensitivity, and hyperinsulinism are associated with an impairment of glucose tolerance, the observed metabolic effects of dietary sucrose are considered to be undesirable.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1977

Effects of high sucrose or starch-bran diets on glucose and lipid metabolism of normal and diabetic rats.

Normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats were fed a low carbohydrate diet or one of two high carbohydrate diets (sucrose or starch-bran). High carbohydrate diets were associated with slightly higher plasma glucose levels in both control and diabetic rats. However, glucose tolerance tests were not altered by the diets in either the control or diabetic rats. Plasma and liver triglyceride values for control and diabetic rats fed the high sucrose diet were similar to those of rats fed the low carbohydrate diet. The starch-bran diet was associated with lower plasma and liver triglyceride values in both control and diabetic rats. Plasma triglyceride values of diabetic rats fed the high sucrose diet or the low carbohydrate diet were significantly higher than values of control rats fed the same diets. On the other hand, plasma triglyceride values of diabetic rats fed the starch-bran diet were similar to values for control rats fed the same diet. These studies suggest that a high carbohydrate diet containing starch and wheat bran is associated with a reduction in plasma triglyceride values in both normal and diabetic rats. Liver glycolytic enzyme activities were significantly lower in diabetic rats than in control rats in all three dietary groups.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Effect of copper deficiency on metabolism and mortality in rats fed sucrose or starch diets.

Copper deficiency was induced in rats by feeding sucrose or starch diets deficient in copper. Copper-deprived rats fed either diet exhibited decreased plasma ceruloplasmin concentration and increased plasma cholesterol. Glucose homeostasis and utilization was impaired both in vivo and in vitro. Oral glucose tolerance was impaired, insulin binding decreased, and CO2 formation and lipogenesis from [U-14C]glucose were decreased. Feeding sucrose but not starch diets deficient in copper magnified the copper deficiency and resulted in 60% mortality. Although both deficient diets contained the same concentration of copper, the hepatic copper concentration of rats fed sucrose was reduced nearly threefold compared to rats fed starch. Reduced epididymal fat pad, increased liver weight, reduced blood hemoglobin and a marked hypertrophy of the heart with gross deformities as well as histopathologic changes were noted only in those rats fed the copper-deficient sucrose diet. The biochemical lesions induced by deprivation of copper can be suppressed by feeding diets containing starch or can be magnified by high sucrose intake.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1985

Effect of starch ingestion on plasma glutamate concentrations in humans ingesting monosodium L-glutamate in soup.

Plasma glutamate concentrations in human subjects are markedly lower when monosodium L-glutamate is ingested in a water solution containing partially hydrolyzed starch than when ingested in water alone. This study was carried out to investigate whether starch ingested as crackers had a similar effect. Eight normal adult subjects (four male, four female) ingested three servings of a beef consommé providing 50 mg/kg body weight monosodium L-glutamate. One serving was consommé alone, the other two were accompanied by sufficient crackers to provide 0.25 or 0.5 g starch per kilogram body weight, respectively. Ingestion of consommé containing glutamate significantly increased the mean plasma glutamate concentration above baseline to a mean peak value 30 min later. The peak after consumption of 0.5 g starch per kilogram body weight, but not 0.25 g/kg body weight, was significantly lower than when consommé alone was ingested. These data indicate that simultaneous ingestion of metabolizable carbohydrate with glutamate has a marked effect on the plasma glutamate response and indicate that the threshold value for carbohydrate is greater than 0.25 g/kg body weight.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Effects of starch, sucrose, fructose and glucose on chromium absorption and tissue concentrations in obese and lean mice.

Forty-eight male genetically obese (OB) mice (C57BL/6J-OB) and 48 lean male littermates were randomly assigned within main plots (OB or lean) to one of eight diets. Diets were low chromium or supplemented with 1 mg chromium as CrCl3 per kg. Starch, sucrose, fructose or glucose comprised 50% of the diet, which met AIN recommendations except for chromium. Experimental diets and deionized water were available ad libitum for 26 d. Mice were fasted 10 h and were intubated 2 h before killing with 15 microCi of 51CrCl3 in a 25% carbohydrate solution (2 mg carbohydrate/g body wt) of either starch, sucrose, glucose or fructose corresponding to the diet previously fed. 51Cr concentrations were significantly higher in the blood, liver, spleen, epididymal fat pad, testes and femur of animals given their carbohydrate load as starch than in animals fed sucrose, fructose or glucose. Carbohydrate had a significant effect on chromium concentrations of testes, spleen, kidney and liver with values generally being higher with the starch diet. Chromium supplementation increased bone and kidney chromium concentrations and heart and muscle glycogen. These data indicate that the source of carbohydrate can alter chromium absorption and retention.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1989

The effect of acarbose and miglitol (BAY-M-1099) on postprandial glucose levels following ingestion of various sources of starch by nondiabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The effect of two alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, acarbose (BAY-G-5421) and miglitol (BAY-M-1099), on postprandial glucose levels following intubation of corn, rice, spaghetti and potato (0.5 g/100 g body wt) was evaluated in nondiabetic and diabetic rats. The peak plasma glucose level and total incremental glucose were significantly decreased following ingestion of each starch source when acarbose (8 mg/100 g body wt) or BAY-M-1099 (2 mg/100 g body wt) were simultaneously intubated. The effect of both inhibitors was more pronounced in diabetic rats than in nondiabetic rats, and their effect on digestion was in a substrate-specific manner. Potato starch digestion was inhibited 58 +/- 11% by BAY-M-1099, and by acarbose, 38 +/- 9%. Rice starch digestion was inhibited by 65 +/- 2% by acarbose, and by BAY-M-1099, only 30 +/- 9%. Both drugs had a similar inhibitory effect when corn or spaghetti was ingested. BAY-M-1099 appears to be more potent than acarbose on both a weight-per-weight basis and on a molar basis. When corn or rice was used, only 2 mg of BAY-M-1099 was required to achieve a similar inhibitory effect to that of 8 mg of acarbose (9.7 X 10(-3) M) vs. 12.2 X 10(-3) M). Since both drugs blunted to varying degrees the rise in glucose level following starch ingestion, they may be a useful adjuvant in the treatment of diabetic subjects. Simultaneous use of both drugs in therapeutic treatment should be seriously considered.

1-Deoxynojirimycin↗
PubMed1992

Starch digestion and absorption in nonruminants.

Starch digestion and absorption is augmented appreciably by physical processing of grain or legume and by heating to 100 degrees C for several minutes before its ingestion. Starch, a polysaccharide composed of alpha 1,4-linked glucose units (amylose) and alpha 1,4-1,6-linked branched structure (amylopectin), is cleaved in the duodenal cavity by secreted pancreatic alpha-amylase to a disaccharide (maltose), trisaccharide (maltotriose), and branched alpha-dextrins. These final oligosaccharides are hydrolyzed efficiently by complimentary action of three integral brush border enzymes at the intestinal surface: glucoamylase (maltase-glucoamylase, amyloglucosidase), sucrase (maltase-sucrase) and alpha-dextrinase (isomaltase). The final monosaccharide glucose product is then cotransported into the enterocyte along with Na+ by a specific brush border 75-kDa transport protein in the rate-limiting step for overall starch assimilation. By virtue of this sequential luminal and membrane digestion followed by glucose transport, starch is assimilated in a very efficient manner in nonruminants.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Dietary sucrose but not starch promotes protein-induced differences in rates of VLDL secretion and plasma lipid concentrations in rats.

Casein instead of soybean protein in a low fat, cholesterol-free diet containing sucrose increases both lipid secretion by rat liver and plasma cholesterol concentration. Male rats were studied to determine whether dietary sucrose is a prerequisite for these protein-induced differences of lipid metabolism in vivo. After 6 wk of consuming either casein plus sucrose, soybean protein isolate plus sucrose, casein plus starch or soybean protein isolate plus starch (carbohydrate, 69 g/100 g diet; protein, 20 g/100 g diet) plasma lipids were measured. VLDL degradation was blocked by Triton WR-1339 and rates of lipid secretion were calculated from the observed linear increase in plasma levels with time. Plasma cholesterol concentrations and rates of secretion of VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides were 27, 47 and 34% higher, respectively, in animals fed casein plus sucrose compared with soybean protein plus sucrose. These differences were clearly diminished or absent when starch was the dietary carbohydrate. The data substantiate the finding that dietary sucrose but not dietary starch promotes a casein-induced increase in hepatic cholesterol secretion and thus contributes to casein-induced hypercholesterolemia in rats. On the contrary, differences of triglyceride secretion were not reflected in different plasma lipid concentrations.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Energy state and its control on seed development: starch accumulation is associated with high ATP and steep oxygen gradients within barley grains.

The role of oxygen and energy state in development and storage activity of cereal grains is an important issue, but has remained largely uninvestigated due to the lack of appropriate analytical methods. Metabolic profiling, bioluminescence-based in situ imaging of ATP, and oxygen-sensitive microsensors were combined here to investigate barley seed development. For the first time temporal and spatial maps of O2 and ATP distribution in cereal grains were determined and related to the differentiation pattern. Steep O2 gradients were demonstrated and strongly hypoxic regions were detected within the caryopsis (<0.1% of atmospheric saturation). Growing lateral and peripheral regions of endosperm remained well-supplied with O2 due to pericarp photosynthesis. ATP distribution in the developing grain was coupled to endosperm differentiation. High ATP concentrations were associated with the local onset of starch storage within endosperm, while low ATP overlapped with the hypoxic regions. Temporally, the building of steep gradients in ATP coincided with overall elevating metabolite levels, specific changes in the metabolite profiles (glycolysis and citrate cycle), and channelling of metabolic fluxes towards storage (increase of starch accumulation rate). These findings implicate an inhomogenous spatial arrangement of metabolic activity within the caryopsis. It is suggested that the local onset of starch storage is coupled with the accumulation of ATP and elevated metabolic activity. Thus, the ATP level reflects the metabolic state of storage tissue. On the basis of these findings, a hypothetical model for the regulation of starch storage in barley seeds is proposed.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2003

Antisense inhibition of isoamylase alters the structure of amylopectin and the physicochemical properties of starch in rice endosperm.

This is the first report on regulation of the isoamylase1 gene to modify the structure of amylopectin and properties of starch by using antisense technology in plants. The reduction of isoamylase1 protein by about 94% in rice endosperm changed amylopectin into a water-insoluble modified amylopectin and a water-soluble polyglucan (WSP). As compared with wild-type amylopectin, the modified amylopectin had more short chains with a degree of polymerization of 5-12, while their molecular sizes were similar. The WSP, which structurally resembled the phytoglycogen in isoamylase-deficient sugary-1 mutants, accounted for about 16% of the total alpha-polyglucans in antisense endosperm, and it was distributed throughout the whole endosperm unlike in sugary-1 mutant. The reduction of isoamylase activity markedly lowered the gelatinization temperature from 54 to 43 degrees C and the viscosity, and modified X-ray diffraction pattern and the granule morphology of the starch. The activity of pullulanase, the other type of starch debranching enzyme, in the antisense endosperm was similar to that in wild-type, whereas it is deficient in sugary-1 mutants. These results indicate that the isoamylase1 is essential for amylopectin biosynthesis in rice endosperm, and that alteration of the isoamylase activity is an effective means to modify the physicochemical properties and granular structure of starch.

Amylopectin↗
PubMed2005

Involvement of alpha-amylase I-1 in starch degradation in rice chloroplasts.

To determine the role of alpha-amylase isoform I-1 in the degradation of starch in rice leaf chloroplasts, we generated a series of transgenic rice plants with suppressed expression or overexpression of alpha-amylase I-1. In the lines with suppressed expression of alpha-amylase I-1 at both the mRNA and protein levels, seed germination and seedling growth were markedly delayed in comparison with those in the wild-type plants. However, the growth retardation was overcome by supplementation of sugars. Interestingly, a significant increase of starch accumulation in the young leaf tissues was observed under a sugar-supplemented condition. In contrast, the starch content of leaves was reduced in the plants overexpressing alpha-amylase I-1. In immunocytochemical analysis with specific anti-alpha-amylase I-1 antiserum, immuno-gold particles deposited in the chloroplasts and extracellular space in young leaf cells. We further examined the expression and targeting of alpha-amylase I-1 fused with the green fluorescent protein in re-differentiated green cells, and showed that the fluorescence of the expressed fusion protein co-localized with the chlorophyll autofluorescence in the transgenic cells. In addition, mature protein species of alpha-amylase I-1 bearing an oligosaccharide side chain were detected in the isolated chloroplasts. Based on these results, we concluded that alpha-amylase I-1 targets the chloroplasts through the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi system and plays a significant role in the starch degradation in rice leaves.

Chloroplasts↗
PubMed2005

Gene expression of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase and starch contents in rice cultured cells are cooperatively regulated by sucrose and ABA.

Six cDNA clones encoding two small subunits and four large subunits of ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (AGPase) were mined from the database of rice full-length cDNAs, cloned and subsequently named: OsAPS1, OsAPS2, OsAPL1, OsAPL2, OsAPL3 and OsAPL4. Expression patterns of the six genes were examined by Northern blot analysis with gene-specific probes. OsAPL3 was predominantly expressed in the middle phases of seed development, and OsAPS1, OsAPL1 and OsAPL2 were expressed later in seed development. OsAPS2 and OsAPL4 were constitutively expressed and these isoforms were coordinated with starch accumulation in the developing rice seed. In order to clarify the effect of sugars and plant hormones on AGPase gene expression more precisely, a rice cell culture system was used. OsAPL3 transcript significantly accumulated in response to increased levels of sucrose and abscisic acid (ABA) concentration in the medium; however, the transcripts of other AGPase genes did not show significant accumulation. Under identical conditions, starch contents in the cultured cells also increased. Interestingly, ABA alone did not affect the gene expression of OsAPL3 and starch content. Collectively, these results indicated that the expression level of OsAPL3 and starch content in the cultured cells were cooperatively controlled by alterations in the concentration of both sucrose and ABA.

Abscisic Acid↗
PubMed1994

Structure-function relationships in the catalytic and starch binding domains of glucoamylase.

Sixteen primary sequences from five sub-families of fungal, yeast and bacterial glucoamylases were related to structural information from the model of the catalytic domain of Aspergillus awamori var. X100 glucoamylase obtained by protein crystallography. This domain is composed of thirteen alpha-helices, with five conserved regions defining the active site. Interactions between methyl alpha-maltoside and active site residues were modelled, and the importance of these residues on the catalytic action of different glucoamylases was shown by their presence in each primary sequence. The overall structure of the starch binding domain of some fungal glucoamylases was determined based on homology to the C-terminal domains of Bacillus cyclodextrin glucosyl-transferases. Crystallography indicated that this domain contains 6-8 beta-strands and homology allowed the attribution of a disulfide bridge in the glucoamylase starch binding domain. Glucoamylase residues Thr525, Asn530 and Trp560, homologous to Bacillus stearothermophilus cyclodextrin glucosyltransferase residues binding to maltose in the C-terminal domain, could be involved in raw-starch binding. The structure and length of the linker region between the catalytic and starch binding domains in fungal glucoamylases can vary substantially, a further indication of the functional independence of the two domains.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1998

Hydroxyethyl starch antibodies in humans: incidence and clinical relevance.

UNLABELLED: Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is a plasma expander used for perioperative i.v. fluid management, as well as for resuscitation from trauma and shock. HES is very well tolerated, and the incidence of anaphylactic reactions is lower than with dextran or gelatin. Dextran anaphylaxis is caused by circulating dextran-reactive antibodies (ABs) of the immunoglobin G (IgG) class found in most adults. Histamine release from mast cells induces adverse reactions after gelatin infusion. The cause of adverse reactions due to HES is not yet clear. To investigate AB formation due to HES, we collected sera of 1004 patients at least 14 days after starch administration. Using a highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay technique, we found one patient with a low 1:10 titer of HES-reactive ABs (immunoglobin M [IgM] class). Despite repeated HES infusions, no clinical reaction could be detected in this patient. On the basis of a binomial distribution, a one-tailed confidence interval (99%) was used to calculate the percentage of the occurrence of ABs in general with maximum of 33 in 10,000 persons (IgM) and 23 in 10,000 persons (IgG). We suggest that HES-reactive ABs are extremely rare and that they do not necessarily induce anaphylaxis. Other mechanisms may be responsible for adverse reactions due to HES. IMPLICATIONS: The frequency of antibody formation due to hydroxyethyl starch, a commonly used plasma expander, was prospectively investigated in 1004 patients. Only one patient showed transient antibody formation, which was not harmful to the patient. This low antigenicity could explain the excellent tolerance of hydroxyethyl starch compared with other plasma expanders.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

The influence of intravascular volume therapy with a new hydroxyethyl starch preparation (6% HES 130/0.4) on coagulation in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery.

UNLABELLED: A new hydroxyethyl starch (HES) preparation with a mean molecular weight of 130,000 daltons and a degree of substitution of 0.4 shows favorable pharmacokinetic properties. We conducted a study of the influence of the new HES specification on coagulation and compared it with another colloidal intravascular volume replacement regimen using gelatin. According to a prospective, random sequence, 42 patients undergoing major abdominal surgery received either HES 130/0.4 (n = 21) or gelatin (n = 21) until the first postoperative day (POD) to keep central venous pressure between 10 and 14 mm Hg. From arterial blood samples, standard coagulation variables were measured, and modified thrombelastogram (TEG) measurements using different activators were performed. A total of 2830 +/- 350 mL of gelatin and 2430 +/- 310 mL of HES 130/0.4 were administered until the morning of the first POD. The use of allogeneic blood/blood products and standard coagulation variables did not differ significantly between the two groups. After induction of anesthesia, all TEG data for both groups were within normal range. Coagulation time and maximum clot firmness did not change significantly in any TEG measurements during the study period. The kinetics of clot formation (clot formation time) significantly increased immediately after surgery, but without showing significant group differences. On the morning of the first POD, the clot formation time returned to almost normal levels, except for aprotinin-activated TEG(R). We conclude that administration of moderate doses of the new HES 130/0.4 preparation in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery results in similar coagulation alterations as those after using an established gelatin-based volume-replacement regimen. IMPLICATIONS: We compared the effects of infusion of a new hydroxyethyl starch preparation (6% hydroxyethyl starch; mean molecular weight 130,000 daltons; degree of substitution 0.4) on coagulation with a gelatin-based intravascular volume replacement regimen in patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. After moderate doses of hydroxyethyl starch (2430 +/- 310 mL until the morning of the first postoperative day), coagulation monitoring, including modified thrombelastography, did not show impaired hemostasis.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2000

Acid-base changes caused by 5% albumin versus 6% hydroxyethyl starch solution in patients undergoing acute normovolemic hemodilution: a randomized prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) is an excellent model for evaluating the effects of different colloid solutions that are free of bicarbonate but have large chloride concentrations on acid-base equilibrium. METHODS: In 20 patients undergoing gynecologic surgery, ANH to a hematocrit of 22% was performed. Two groups of 10 patients each were randomly assigned to receive either 5% albumin or 6% hydroxyethyl starch solutions containing chloride concentrations of 150 and 154 mm, respectively, during ANH. Blood volume (double label measurement of plasma and red cell volumes), pH, Paco2, and serum concentrations of sodium, potassium, chloride, lactate, ionized calcium, phosphate, albumin, and total protein were measured before and 20 min after completion of ANH. Strong ion difference was calculated as serum sodium plus serum potassium minus serum chloride minus serum lactate. The amount of weak plasma acid was calculated using a computer program. RESULTS: After ANH, blood volume was well maintained in both groups. ANH caused slight metabolic acidosis with hyperchloremia and a concomitant decrease in strong ion difference. Plasma albumin concentration decreased after hemodilution with 6% hydroxyethyl starch solution and increased after hemodilution with 5% albumin solution. Despite a three-times larger decrease in strong ion difference after ANH with 6% hydroxyethyl starch solution, the decrease in pH was nearly the same in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: ANH with 5% albumin or 6% hydroxyethyl starch solutions led to metabolic acidosis. A dilution of extracellular bicarbonate or changes in strong ion difference and albumin concentration offer explanations for this type of acidosis.

Acid-Base Equilibrium↗
PubMed2004

Endothelial glycocalyx as an additional barrier determining extravasation of 6% hydroxyethyl starch or 5% albumin solutions in the coronary vascular bed.

BACKGROUND: The impact on the endothelial glycocalyx for the extravasation of colloidal infusion solutions has not been investigated sufficiently. METHODS: Isolated guinea pig hearts were perfused with Krebs-Henseleit buffer in a Langendorff mode. Solutions of 0.9% saline, 5% albumin (70 kd), or 6% hydroxyethyl starch (200 kd) were infused into the coronary system for 20 min at a rate of one third of the coronary flow, also during reperfusion after 15 min of ischemia, and after enzymatic digestion of the endothelial glycocalyx by heparinase. Net coronary fluid filtration was assessed directly by measuring the formation of transudate on the epicardial surface, and solute extravasation was assessed by measuring albumin and hydroxyethyl starch in the coronary effluent and transudate. Hearts were perfusion fixed to visualize the endothelial glycocalyx using transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS: Only infusion of hydroxyethyl starch, not infusion of albumin, significantly decreased net coronary fluid filtration. Heparinase application without ischemia increased coronary leak by 25% but did not accelerate the passage of colloids. Ischemia alone did not alter permeability. However, there was a large (approximately +200%), transient (approximately 4 min) increase in permeability for water, albumin, and hydroxyethyl starch after ischemia with heparinase application. Also, histamine (10 m) only increased permeability after pretreatment of the hearts with heparinase. The thickness of the glycocalyx after colloid administration was 0.2-0.3 microm. No glycocalyx could be detected after application of heparinase. CONCLUSION: The endothelial glycocalyx acts as a competent barrier for water and colloids. Only after its destruction do changes in endothelial morphology (postischemic reperfusion or histamine application) become effective determinants of coronary extravasation.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Proabsorptive effects of modified tapioca starch as an additive of oral rehydration solutions.

BACKGROUND: Partially hydrolyzed starches from staple cereals, obtained by heat or by enzymatic treatment, are often used in the formulation of homemade or extemporaneously used oral rehydration solutions used in developing countries. Conflicting or anecdotal results obtained thus far could be clarified with a standardized preparation tested under well-controlled laboratory conditions. METHODS: A modified commercial tapioca starch was tested. Textra (National Starch and Chemical Co. Bridgewater, NJ, U.S.A.) added at 0, 5 or 10 g/l to an oral rehydration solution with 90 mM sodium and 111 mM glucose, in 30 rats malnourished by a protein-deficient diet for 3 weeks and in 26 well-fed control animals, using a one-pass jejunal perfusion. RESULTS: In protein-deficient rats, Textra stimulated sodium absorption at 5 and 10 g/l (mean +/- SEM); 0 g/l Textra: 160 +/- 13 nmol/min x cm; 5 g/l Textra: 406 +/- 31 (p < 0.0001); and 10 g/l Textra 230 +/- 27 (p < 0.02). Potassium absorption was comparably increased. Textra also improved net water absorption and the water influx:efflux ratio. Glucose absorption was increased only at 10 g/l Textra. In control rats, Textra improved sodium and net water absorption at 5 g/l, but not at 10 g/l Textra; but the influx:efflux ratio and potassium absorption were unaltered. CONCLUSIONS: These data, obtained in normal and protein-deficient rats, support the view that modified starch is a potentially useful, energy-rich additive for oral rehydration solution, which does not introduce an osmotic penalty.

Animals↗