A randomized controlled trial on the efficacy of resistant dextrin, as functional food, in women with type 2 diabetes: Targeting the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and immune system

Abstract

The aim of this trial was to determine the efficacy of a resistant dextrin on immune-mediated inflammation and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Females (n=55) with T2DM were randomly allocated into intervention group (n=30) and control group (n=25), in which they received 10g/d of Nutriose®06 (a resistant dextrin) or maltodextrin for 8 weeks, respectively. Fasting blood samples were taken to measure immune system related parameters like white blood cell count, CD4, CD8, interferon-γ (IFNγ), interleukins (IL12, IL4, IL10), cortisol, tryptophan (TRP), ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic hormone), Kynurenine (KYN) and plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at the beginning and end of trial. Mental health was assessed using general health questionnaire (GHQ) and depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS). Resistant dextrin caused a significant decrease in levels of cortisol, KYN, KYN/TRP ratio, IFNγ, IL12, IFNγ/IL10 ratio, LPS, and a significant increase in the monocyte, GHQ, DASS, CD8, IL10, IL4 in the intervention group as compared with baseline. A significant decrease in the level of LPS (-6.20EU/mL,-17.8%), IFNγ (-0.6pg/ml,-26.8%), cortisol (-2.6μg/dl,-20.9%), IFNγ/IL10 ratio (0.01, 10%), GHQ (-5.1,-12.5%), DASS (-10.4,-38.4%), KYN/TRP ratio (6.8, 29.1%), and a significant increase in levels of CD8 (6.4%, 6.1%) and IL10 (2.6pg/ml, 21.6%) in the intervention group as compared with the control group (P<0.05). No significant changes were observed in white blood cell count, CD4, CD4/CD8 ratio, ACTH, KYN, TRP, IL4 and IL12 in the intervention group as compared with the control group (P>0.05). Supplementation of Nutriose®06 may have beneficial effects on mental health and the immune system response in women with T2DM.