Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology
Endocrine Abstracts (2009) 19 OC17

SFEBES2009 Oral Communications Cardiovascular metabolism (8 abstracts)

Effect of single high vs low glycemic index (GI) meal on gut hormones

A Norouzy , A Leeds , P Emery & I Bayat


King’s College London, London, UK.


Low glycaemic index (GI) diet and gut hormones such as glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY) have been shown independently to reduce appetite. However, the direct relationship between a single meal of low or high GI and the levels of these hormones has not been studied. In this study we looked at the short term effects of a single low or high GI meal on plasma levels of GLP-1, PYY and insulin.

King’s College London’s research ethics committee approval was obtained for this study. Twelve healthy individuals with BMIs of 18–25 kg/m2 took part in a randomized cross-over study. The subjects had an identical medium GI dinner in the evening prior to the study and fasted overnight. On the morning of study each subject consumed a single meal of low (46) or high (66) GI and subsequently had blood samples taken every 30 min for a total of 150 min. The entire process was repeated with the other test meal after a minimum two weeks wash-out. Plasma levels of GLP-1, PYY and insulin were measured on each blood sample.

The table below shows the post-prandial area under the curve (0–150 min) for GLP-1, PYY and insulin. Our results demonstrate that there was a significantly higher post-prandial plasma level GLP-1 and lower level of insulin after the low GI breakfast compared to high GI (paired t-test, P value <0.005).

GLP-1PYYInsulin
Low GI4839±18313461±56310 088±4757
High GI3865±16303448±63116 245±7600

Our data demonstrate that consumption of a single low GI meal results in higher levels of GLP-1. Previous studies showed the beneficial effect of low GI diet on suppressing appetite. GLP-1 is one of the most potent hormones in inducing satiety feeling. The present study may offer an insight into the physiological mechanism by which an low GI diet produces satiety.

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