Highly Methoxylated Pectin Improves Insulin Resistance and Other Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Zucker Fatty Rats

D. Sánchez †, B. Muguerza ‡, L. Moulay ‡, R. Hernández §, M. Miguel † and A. Aleixandre *†

Departamento Farmacologı́a, Facultad Medicina, Universidad Complutense, Avenida Complutense s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain, Natraceutical Group, Autovía A-3, Salida 343, Camino de Torrent s/n, Quart de Poblet, 46930 Valencia, Spain, and Hospital Central de la Defensa , C/Arturo Soria,, 28027, Madrid, Spain

ournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

2008, 56 (10), pp 3574–3581；DOI: 10.1021/jf703598j

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the effect of a highly methoxylated apple pectin (HMAP) on cardiometabolic risk factors in Zucker fatty rats. β-Glucan, a fiber known for its hypocholesterolemic properties, also was used. The rats fed both fiber-enriched diets exhibited a reduction in body weight and in total cholesterol and triglycerides when compared to the Zucker fatty rats fed the standard diet. The effect on the lipid profile was more remarkable in the HMAP group. A decrease in blood glucose was only noticed in this group. Moreover, a decrease in plasma insulin, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-β was noticed in the fiber groups, and in particular in the HMAP group, these variables being similar to the lean rats. Blood pressure and endothelial function were similar in all the Zucker fatty rats. These results warrant evaluation in humans to determine if HMAP could be used as a functional ingredient to reduce lipid profile, insulin resistance, and other cardiometabolic risk factors.