Dietary resistant starch from peas for healthy glucose homeostasis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Dietary resistant starch from peas for healthy glucose homeostasis
IRAS ID
168400
Contact name
Gary Frost
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Our aim is to develop a systematic basis for increasing the intake of resistant starch in the diet in order to protect the function of insulin-secreting pancreatic beta-cells and improve blood glucose homeostasis in an ageing population. Age related declines in beta-cell function and glucose homeostasis increase susceptibility to type 2 diabetes, the incidence of which has doubled in the UK since 1996. We and others have shown that carbohydrates such as resistant starch that escape digestion in the small intestine lead to improved insulin sensitivity and first phase insulin response. We propose that short chain fatty acids liberated by colonic carbohydrate fermentation causes receptor-mediated improvements in beta-cell function. In this project we will define which starches and food matrices are most effective in protecting beta-cell function and discover the basis of this protection. Our project utilises genetically-defined natural mutants of peas, representing two types of resistant starch in a variety of genetic backgrounds. Experiments with static and dynamic digestion models will examine starch digestibility and colonic fermentability in raw and processed materials and purified starch. In parallel we will carry out human trials on resistant starch peas to assess effectiveness in beta-cell protection. Volunteers will be used to assess physiological functions related to susceptibility to diabetes including measures of insulin release, gut hormones, and colonic microbiota activity.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0184
Date of REC Opinion
17 Feb 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion