September 23/Life Science Weekly -- "The hypoglycemic and antidiabetic effect of hydroxypropyl tapioca starch (HPTS, degree of substitution = 0.180) was investigated in male KKAy mice. Mice were fed a purified high-fat (20%) diet without or with HPTS (5% or 10%) for 33 d. Gelatinized tapioca starch (TS) was used as a reference," investigators in Matsuyama, Japan, report.

"Fasting blood glucose concentrations, days 14 and 28, were significantly lower in the 10% HPTS group compared with the reference. In an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), day 28, blood glucose concentrations in the 5% HPTS group, at 60, 90, and 120 minutes, and in the 10% HPTS group, at 30, 60, and 90 minutes after oral administration of glucose, were significantly lower compared with the reference. The area under the glucose curve (AUC) for glucose in both HPTS groups was significantly lower compared with the reference. Energy intake was significantly lower in the 10% HPTS group compared with the reference. At the end of the experiment, adiponectin concentrations were significantly higher in the 10% HPTS group compared with the reference. A homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) tended to be lower in the 10% HPTS group compared with the reference, whereas a quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) was significantly higher in both HPTS groups compared with the reference," wrote M. Tachibe and colleagues, Ehime University.