Postprandial effects of genetic variation on carbohydrate digestion
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An acute investigation into the relationship between genetic variation, digestion and blood glucose response, upon consumption of carbohydrates.
IRAS ID
135354
Contact name
Mark G. Thomas
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Research summary
What you eat affects your risk of type-2 diabetes by influencing the way your body responds to sugar (called ‘glycaemic response’) and how well your body controls levels of blood glucose using insulin. Dietary carbohydrates consist mainly of glucose molecules arranged together in different structures, which are then broken-down by enzymes to produce glucose, the body’s energy source. People can develop type-2 diabetes if they continually overload their body with carbohydrates as this can prolong high levels of glucose in the blood.
DNA sequences define the structure of enzymes, and different DNA sequences can produce different enzymes. In the case of enzymes that digest carbohydrates, if there are genetic variations, the enzymes may have reduced or increased efficacy. This may affect the rate and/or the total amount of digestion, which will affect the rate or amount of glucose that enters the blood. It is not currently understood how genetic variation affects digestion, or blood glucose levels, but it may be clinically relevant to identify people at risk of developing type-2 diabetes. We have identified potentially functional genetic variations in the genes of carbohydrate digestive enzymes that may affect glycaemic response in this way. The overall aim of this project is to investigate the new idea that genetic variation in the genes of carbohydrate digestive enzymes affects glycaemic and insulinaemic response. By comparing glucose and insulin responses of healthy groups of participants that are grouped by DNA sequence, we hope to identify novel genetic variation that may affect predisposition to developing type-2 diabetes.
REC name
London - Harrow Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0063
Date of REC Opinion
17 Feb 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion