Effects of glucose supplementation on gastric emptying, blood glucose homeostasis, and appetite in the elderly

Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2001 Feb;280(2):R570-6. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.2001.280.2.R570.

Abstract

The aims of this study were to evaluate the effects of dietary glucose supplementation on gastric emptying (GE) of both glucose and fat, postprandial blood glucose homeostasis, and appetite in eight older subjects (4 males, 4 females, aged 65--84 yr). GE of a drink (15 ml olive oil and 33 g glucose dissolved in 185 ml water), blood glucose, insulin, gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and appetite (diet diaries, visual analog scales, and food intake at a buffet meal consumed after the GE study) were evaluated twice, after 10 days on a standard or a glucose-supplemented diet (70 g glucose 3 times a day). Glucose supplementation accelerated GE of glucose (P < 0.05), but not oil; there was a trend for an increase in GIP (at 15 min, P = 0.06), no change in GLP-1, an earlier insulin peak (P < 0.01), and a subsequent reduction in blood glucose (at 75 min, P < 0.01). Glucose supplementation had no effect on food intake during each diet so that energy intake was greater (P < 0.001) during the glucose-supplemented diet. Appetite ratings and energy intake at the buffet meal were not different. We conclude that, in older subjects, glucose supplementation 1) accelerates GE of glucose, but not fat; 2) modifies postprandial blood glucose homeostasis; and 3) increases energy intake.

MeSH terms

  • Aged / physiology*
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Appetite / drug effects
  • Appetite / physiology*
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism*
  • Dietary Carbohydrates*
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / pharmacology
  • Energy Intake / drug effects
  • Energy Intake / physiology*
  • Female
  • Gastric Emptying / drug effects
  • Gastric Emptying / physiology*
  • Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide / blood
  • Glucagon / blood
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
  • Glucose / pharmacology*
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Kinetics
  • Male
  • Olive Oil
  • Peptide Fragments / blood
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology
  • Protein Precursors / blood
  • Regression Analysis
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Dietary Carbohydrates
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated
  • Insulin
  • Olive Oil
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Plant Oils
  • Protein Precursors
  • Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
  • Glucagon
  • Glucose