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Dietary glycemic load, glycemic index, and refined grains intake are associated with reduced β-cell function in prediabetic Japanese migrants

Associação entre carga glicêmica da dieta, índice glicêmico e consumo de cereais refinados e função reduzida das células-β em migrantes japoneses com pré-diabetes

Abstracts

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between carbohydrate intakes and β-cell function (HOMA-β) in Japanese-Brazilians with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). METHODS: Dietary intakes were assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire in a cross-sectional survey carried out in 2000. The associations between diet and HOMA-β were verified in 270 newly diagnosed IGT in multiple linear regression models. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age was 58 (11) years and the mean HOMA-β was 65 (47). The glycemic load was inversely associated with HOMA-β, β1 -0.140 (95%CI = -1.044; -0.078), p = 0.023. The inverse association was also observed for refined grains intakes: -0.186 (95%CI = -0.4862; -0.058), p = 0.012. After adjustments for body mass index, the glycemic index was inversely associated with HOMA-β: -0.1246 (95%CI = -2.2482, -0.0257), p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggested that dietary glycemic load, glycemic index, and refined grains intakes are associated with reduced β-cell function, and the quality of dietary carbohydrates may be relevant for maintaining β-cell function among individuals with IGT.

Dietary carbohydrates; glycemic index; prediabetic state; emigrants and immigrants


OBJETIVO: Investigar a associação entre o consumo de carboidratos e função das células-β (HOMA-β) em nipo-brasileiros portadores de tolerância à glicose diminuída (TGD). MÉTODOS: O consumo alimentar habitual foi avaliado por meio do questionário quantitativo de frequência alimentar previamente validado em estudo transversal conduzido em 2000. A associação entre dieta e HOMA-β foi verificada em 270 indivíduos portadores de TGD em modelos de regressão logística ajustados. RESULTADOS: A média (DP) de idade foi 58 (11) anos e do HOMA-β foi 65 (47). A carga glicêmica foi inversamente associada ao HOMA-β, β1 -0.140 (95%CI = -1.044; -0.078), p = 0,023. Associação inversa com o consumo de cereais refinados também foi observada: -0.186 (95%CI = -0.4862; -0.058), p = 0,012. Após ajuste pelo índice de massa corpórea, foi verificada a associação inversa entre índice glicêmico e HOMA-β: -0.1246 (95%CI = -2.2482, -0.0257), p < 0,001. CONCLUSÕES: Os dados indicam que a carga glicêmica da dieta, o índice glicêmico e o consumo de cereais refinados estão associados a uma função reduzida das células-β e que a qualidade dos carboidratos da dieta habitual pode ser relevante na manutenção da função de células-β entre indivíduos portadores de TGD.

Carboidratos na dieta; índice glicêmico; estado pré-diabético; emigrantes e imigrantes


ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Dietary glycemic load, glycemic index, and refined grains intake are associated with reduced β-cell function in prediabetic Japanese migrants

Associação entre carga glicêmica da dieta, índice glicêmico e consumo de cereais refinados e função reduzida das células-β em migrantes japoneses com pré-diabetes

Daniela Saes SartorelliI,V,* * Appendix: members of Japanese-Brazilian Diabetes Study Group: Alcides Hirai, Amélia T. Hirai, Helena Harima, Magid Iunes ( in memoriam), Mário Kikuchi, Katsumi Osiro, Sandra R. G. Ferreira (Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil), Suely G. A. Gimeno (Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Katsunori Wakisaka (Japanese-Brazilians Study Center, Brazil); Daniela Saes Sartorelli, Laércio J. Franco (Departamento de Medicina Social, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil); Marly Augusto Cardoso (Departamento de Nutrição, Escola de Saúde Pública, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Nilce Tomita (Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, USP, Bauru, SP, Brazil); Newton de Barros Jr. (Departamento de Cirurgia, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Regina C. S. Moisés, Luiza Matsumura (Departamento de Medicina, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Rita Chaim (Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade do Sagrado Coração, Bauru, SP, Brazil); Vania D'Almeida (Departamento de Pediatria, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Renata Damião (Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil). ; Laércio Joel FrancoI,V,* * Appendix: members of Japanese-Brazilian Diabetes Study Group: Alcides Hirai, Amélia T. Hirai, Helena Harima, Magid Iunes ( in memoriam), Mário Kikuchi, Katsumi Osiro, Sandra R. G. Ferreira (Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil), Suely G. A. Gimeno (Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Katsunori Wakisaka (Japanese-Brazilians Study Center, Brazil); Daniela Saes Sartorelli, Laércio J. Franco (Departamento de Medicina Social, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil); Marly Augusto Cardoso (Departamento de Nutrição, Escola de Saúde Pública, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Nilce Tomita (Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, USP, Bauru, SP, Brazil); Newton de Barros Jr. (Departamento de Cirurgia, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Regina C. S. Moisés, Luiza Matsumura (Departamento de Medicina, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Rita Chaim (Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade do Sagrado Coração, Bauru, SP, Brazil); Vania D'Almeida (Departamento de Pediatria, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Renata Damião (Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil). ; Renata DamiãoII,V,* * Appendix: members of Japanese-Brazilian Diabetes Study Group: Alcides Hirai, Amélia T. Hirai, Helena Harima, Magid Iunes ( in memoriam), Mário Kikuchi, Katsumi Osiro, Sandra R. G. Ferreira (Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil), Suely G. A. Gimeno (Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Katsunori Wakisaka (Japanese-Brazilians Study Center, Brazil); Daniela Saes Sartorelli, Laércio J. Franco (Departamento de Medicina Social, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil); Marly Augusto Cardoso (Departamento de Nutrição, Escola de Saúde Pública, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Nilce Tomita (Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, USP, Bauru, SP, Brazil); Newton de Barros Jr. (Departamento de Cirurgia, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Regina C. S. Moisés, Luiza Matsumura (Departamento de Medicina, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Rita Chaim (Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade do Sagrado Coração, Bauru, SP, Brazil); Vania D'Almeida (Departamento de Pediatria, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Renata Damião (Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil). ; Suely GimenoIII,V,* * Appendix: members of Japanese-Brazilian Diabetes Study Group: Alcides Hirai, Amélia T. Hirai, Helena Harima, Magid Iunes ( in memoriam), Mário Kikuchi, Katsumi Osiro, Sandra R. G. Ferreira (Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil), Suely G. A. Gimeno (Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Katsunori Wakisaka (Japanese-Brazilians Study Center, Brazil); Daniela Saes Sartorelli, Laércio J. Franco (Departamento de Medicina Social, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil); Marly Augusto Cardoso (Departamento de Nutrição, Escola de Saúde Pública, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Nilce Tomita (Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, USP, Bauru, SP, Brazil); Newton de Barros Jr. (Departamento de Cirurgia, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Regina C. S. Moisés, Luiza Matsumura (Departamento de Medicina, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Rita Chaim (Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade do Sagrado Coração, Bauru, SP, Brazil); Vania D'Almeida (Departamento de Pediatria, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Renata Damião (Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil). ; Marly Augusto CardosoIV,V,* * Appendix: members of Japanese-Brazilian Diabetes Study Group: Alcides Hirai, Amélia T. Hirai, Helena Harima, Magid Iunes ( in memoriam), Mário Kikuchi, Katsumi Osiro, Sandra R. G. Ferreira (Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil), Suely G. A. Gimeno (Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Katsunori Wakisaka (Japanese-Brazilians Study Center, Brazil); Daniela Saes Sartorelli, Laércio J. Franco (Departamento de Medicina Social, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil); Marly Augusto Cardoso (Departamento de Nutrição, Escola de Saúde Pública, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Nilce Tomita (Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, USP, Bauru, SP, Brazil); Newton de Barros Jr. (Departamento de Cirurgia, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Regina C. S. Moisés, Luiza Matsumura (Departamento de Medicina, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Rita Chaim (Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade do Sagrado Coração, Bauru, SP, Brazil); Vania D'Almeida (Departamento de Pediatria, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Renata Damião (Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil). ; Sandra Roberta Gouvea FerreiraIII,IV,V,* * Appendix: members of Japanese-Brazilian Diabetes Study Group: Alcides Hirai, Amélia T. Hirai, Helena Harima, Magid Iunes ( in memoriam), Mário Kikuchi, Katsumi Osiro, Sandra R. G. Ferreira (Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil), Suely G. A. Gimeno (Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Katsunori Wakisaka (Japanese-Brazilians Study Center, Brazil); Daniela Saes Sartorelli, Laércio J. Franco (Departamento de Medicina Social, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil); Marly Augusto Cardoso (Departamento de Nutrição, Escola de Saúde Pública, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Nilce Tomita (Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, USP, Bauru, SP, Brazil); Newton de Barros Jr. (Departamento de Cirurgia, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Regina C. S. Moisés, Luiza Matsumura (Departamento de Medicina, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Rita Chaim (Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade do Sagrado Coração, Bauru, SP, Brazil); Vania D'Almeida (Departamento de Pediatria, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Renata Damião (Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil).

IDepartamento de Medicina Social, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

IIDepartamento de Nutrição, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), Uberaba, MG, Brazil

IIIDepartamento de Medicina Preventiva, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp), São Paulo, SP, Brazil

IVDepartamento de Nutrição, Faculdade de Saúde Pública, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil

VJapanese-Brazilian Diabetes Study Group

Correspondence to Correspondence to: Daniela Saes Sartorelli Av. Bandeirantes, 3.900 14049-900 - Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil daniss@fmrp.usp.br

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between carbohydrate intakes and β-cell function (HOMA-β) in Japanese-Brazilians with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

METHODS: Dietary intakes were assessed by a validated food frequency questionnaire in a cross-sectional survey carried out in 2000. The associations between diet and HOMA-β were verified in 270 newly diagnosed IGT in multiple linear regression models.

RESULTS: The mean (SD) age was 58 (11) years and the mean HOMA-β was 65 (47). The glycemic load was inversely associated with HOMA-β, β1 -0.140 (95%CI = -1.044; -0.078), p = 0.023. The inverse association was also observed for refined grains intakes: -0.186 (95%CI = -0.4862; -0.058), p = 0.012. After adjustments for body mass index, the glycemic index was inversely associated with HOMA-β: -0.1246 (95%CI = -2.2482, -0.0257), p < 0.001.

CONCLUSIONS: These data suggested that dietary glycemic load, glycemic index, and refined grains intakes are associated with reduced β-cell function, and the quality of dietary carbohydrates may be relevant for maintaining β-cell function among individuals with IGT.

Keywords: Dietary carbohydrates; glycemic index; prediabetic state; emigrants and immigrants

RESUMO

OBJETIVO: Investigar a associação entre o consumo de carboidratos e função das células-β (HOMA-β) em nipo-brasileiros portadores de tolerância à glicose diminuída (TGD).

MÉTODOS: O consumo alimentar habitual foi avaliado por meio do questionário quantitativo de frequência alimentar previamente validado em estudo transversal conduzido em 2000. A associação entre dieta e HOMA-β foi verificada em 270 indivíduos portadores de TGD em modelos de regressão logística ajustados.

RESULTADOS: A média (DP) de idade foi 58 (11) anos e do HOMA-β foi 65 (47). A carga glicêmica foi inversamente associada ao HOMA-β, β1 -0.140 (95%CI = -1.044; -0.078), p = 0,023. Associação inversa com o consumo de cereais refinados também foi observada: -0.186 (95%CI = -0.4862; -0.058), p = 0,012. Após ajuste pelo índice de massa corpórea, foi verificada a associação inversa entre índice glicêmico e HOMA-β: -0.1246 (95%CI = -2.2482, -0.0257), p < 0,001.

CONCLUSÕES: Os dados indicam que a carga glicêmica da dieta, o índice glicêmico e o consumo de cereais refinados estão associados a uma função reduzida das células-β e que a qualidade dos carboidratos da dieta habitual pode ser relevante na manutenção da função de células-β entre indivíduos portadores de TGD.

Descritores: Carboidratos na dieta; índice glicêmico; estado pré-diabético; emigrantes e imigrantes

INTRODUCTION

The genesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is multifactorial, and environmental factors implicated are still a matter of discussion. Such knowledge is of considerable interest, taking into account its worldwide epidemic (1). Dietary habits are an important target of investigation. Migrant populations represent a unique opportunity to investigate possible role of contrasting dietary habits imposed by moving from one environment to other, as an underlying mechanism of glucose intolerance. It is controversial whether the progressive deterioration of β-cells in a setting of chronic insulin resistance (2,3) could be exacerbated by the quantity and the type of carbohydrate intake (4,5). Japanese migrants in Brazil have one of the highest prevalence of diabetes reported in literature (6). Our group previously showed that dietary fat may contribute for the occurrence of metabolic syndrome among Japanese-Brazilians (7). However, it was not known if the carbohydrate consumption could be associated with β-cell function.

The gold standard to estimate β-cell function, the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique, is time consuming, invasive and unsuitable for the use in large scale. Alternatively, the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-β) has been used (8,9), providing surrogate measures of β-cell function and with good correlations (from 0.7 to 0.88) with the clamp (10).

Insulin hypersecretion is typical of early stages of the disturbance of glucose homeostasis; in long-term, this may progress to β-cell deficiency and T2DM (11). Impaired β-cell function and insulin resistance can be detected in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Although both disturbances are intermediate states between normal glucose tolerance and T2DM, the metabolic abnormalities and pattern of impaired insulin secretion are distinct, suggesting that the pathways to prevent their progression to T2DM might be different (12). The role of usual intake of carbohydrates on β-cell dysfunction in prediabetic individuals are sparse and inconclusive (4,13,14). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the quantity and the quality of carbohydrate intakes on β-cell function (HOMA-β) in Japanese-Brazilians with IGT.

METHODS

In 2000, a cross-sectional study was carried out in the entire Japanese-Brazilian population over 30 years of age living in Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil (n = 1,751). Data collection from 1,283 first (Japan-born) and second-generation (Brazil-born) subjects were available (participation rate of 73.3%) (6). For the present analysis, 270 newly diagnosed IGT individuals with complete data were considered. The Ethics Committee of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo (Unifesp) approved the study protocol, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. The investigation was carried out in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Demographic variables, smoking status, drinking habits and physical activity were assessed using a structured questionnaire. Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured using standardized approaches (15).

Food consumption was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) developed and validated among Japanese-Brazilians against results obtained from 3-day weighed dietary records (16). Subjects were asked about frequency of food intake (122 food items) and portion sizes during the previous year. Four portion sizes were given for selection: small, medium, large and extra large. Complete rechecking of the coding, as well as double keying, was performed for every questionnaire. The nutrient composition of diets was calculated using the DietSys software version 4.01. The nutrient database used was based primarily on United States Department of Agriculture publications, including the fructose content of each food, supplemented by the most recent edition of standard food composition tables of Brazil and Japan. Dietary exposures included intakes of total carbohydrate, fiber, refined-grain foods (rice, white bread, pasta), glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL). GI and GL were estimated based on the International Table of Glycemic Index (17). Nutrient composition of diets was calculated using the Diet-Sys software version 4.01.

Blood samples were obtained after an overnight fast and a standard 75-g oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Plasma glucose was determined by the glucoseoxidase method and insulin by monoclonal antibody-based immunofluorimetricassay (AutoDelfia, PerkinElmer Life Science Inc, Norton, OH, USA). IGT was defined according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria (18). HOMA was used to estimate β-cell function: [HOMA-β = 20 x fasting insulin (mU/mL)/fasting glucose (mmol/L) - 3.5], and insulin resistance [HOMAIR = fasting insulin (mU/mL) x fasting glucose (mmol/ L)/22.5], according to Matthews and cols. (10).

For descriptive analysis, the HOMA was cathegorized into tertiles based on values from all subjects. The HOMA-β and dietary variables were log-transformed. Nutrients intake were energy-adjusted by the residual method. ANOVA and Tuckey's test, and χ2 were applied to analyze differences of continuous and categorical variables according to HOMA-β tertiles.

The relations of the dietary carbohydrates and HOMA-β was verified using multiple linear regression models adjusted for gender (Male/Female), age (Years), waist circumference (cm), practice of physical activity at work or leisure time (Yes/No), smoking (Never, Past, Current), education (No, < 8 years, > 9 years), intakes of alcohol (No, 0-54 g/day, > 54 g/ day) and total calories (kcal/day). On further analysis, the body mass index (BMI) was included on the final models. Given the high correlation between the dietary variables analysed, separated models were applied. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 14.0. The level of significance was set at 0.05.

RESULTS

The mean age (SD) of the 270 participants in the study was 58 (11) years; 56% were women and 80% from second generation. Their mean BMI was 25 (4) kg/m2; mean values of waist circumference were 89 (9) cm and 80 (9) cm for men and for women, respectively. Fifty-nine percent of the participants had < 8 years of school attendance; 43% reported usual alcohol consumption; 73% never smoked; and 76% was classified as sedentary individuals. Their median (P25, P75) HOMA-β was 54 (35,82), and HOMA-IR 1.9 (1.3, 2.8).

The table 1 describes the main characteristics and nutrient intake across HOMA-β tertiles. Higher mean value of fasting plasma glucose of individuals on the second tertile of HOMA-β was observed when compared with the lowest tertile. Higher mean values of waist circumference, BMI, and HOMA-IR were verified among Japanese-Brazilians on the third tertile of HOMA-β, when compared with individuals on the second and first tertile. Conversely, lower mean age and frequencies of less than one year of attendance at school were verified among individuals on the highest tertile of HOMA-β. Individuals on the lowest tertile of HOMA-β related usual diets with higher contents of GI.

The mean (SD) intake of energy was 1,995 (592) kcal/day. The median intakes of total carbohydrates, GI, GL and refined grains are shown on table 2. In adjusted multiple linear regression models, the GL and refined grains intake were inverse and independently associated with HOMA-β in those individuals with IGT. On further analysis, after adjustments for BMI, the GI was inverselly associated with HOMA-β, and the relation between GL, refined grains and carbohydrates did not change substancially. No associations were observed with total carbohydrate, fiber and GI intake, and between carbohydrate consumption and HOMA-IR on the tested models.

DISCUSSION

The investigation of lifestyle factors related to β-cell function among individuals with IGT is relevant for diabetes mellitus prevention strategies. Our results showed that high intake of refined grains and a diet with high GL and high GI were independently associated with reduced β-cell function among Japanese-Brazilians with IGT.

The present study compared the effect of different types of dietary carbohydrates on β-cell function among individuals with IGT. One important fact of this approach is that the results obtained are of great interest on Public Health policies to develop strategies on primary prevention of T2DM among high risk individuals. The weaknesses of the study include the small sample size, and the limitations inherent to the cross-sectional surveys, since exposures (diet) and outcome (HOMA-β) were assessed at a single point in time and it is not possible to determine whether the exposure preceded or resulted from the outcome. The present analyzes included only newly diagnosed impaired glucose tolerant individuals to minimize this bias. Other limitation of the present study are related to the assessments of physical activity, since the questionnaire was not validated among the Japanese-Brazilians, which could, in part, explain the absence of association between physical activity and the outcomes explored.

Given the IGT and IFG are distinct metabolic abnormalities with different patterns of impaired insulin secretion, they might not present the same pathways into the progression to T2DM (12). HOMA estimates the basal state of insulin and glucose in terms of resistance and β-cell function, and the evaluation of both values combined, HOMA-IR and HOMA-β, are recommended (19). On the present study, only individuals with IGT, characterized by severe muscle insulin resistance, were considered (12), and the results reflect the β-cell function among individuals with high degrees of insulin resistance. The eug-concentration, according to the change in the fasting glulycemic clamp method is considered the gold standard to cose, is not a uniform inverse relationship, which is an imevaluate insulin resistance and β-cell function, but might portant limitation of the use of HOMA (20). Moreover, not be suitable for epidemiological studies. Some of the since the HOMA is a measure of basal insulin sensitivity limitatons of HOMA are that under constant insulin resis-and β-cell function in contrast to clamps, it does not protance, as IGT individuals, the degree of change in insulin vide a profile on the stimulate state (19).

Previous studies suggest a role of type of dietary carbohydrate on insulin sensitivity and metabolic syndrome. Data from the Framingham Offspring Cohort Study revealed that usual diets with high GI and GL, and refined grains intake were positively associated with HOMA-IR and metabolic syndrome (21). In the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study, higher intakes of whole grains were related with increases in insulin sensitivity (14). But, the role of dietary carbohydrates on insulin secretion among high risk individuals remains controversial (4,13,22).

Evidences from randomized clinical trials suggested that the type of carbohydrates consumed also seemed to be relevant on early insulin secretion in obese persons with metabolic syndrome (4). In these investigation, rye bread and pasta intakes improved early insulin secretion, when compared with obese individuals who consumed a diet rich in wheat bread, potatoes and oat after a 12-week follow-up. In another randomized clinical trial, a high-carbohydrate, low GI diets, improved insulin secretion when compared with a high-carbohydrate, high GI diets, in individuals with IGT after four months of follow-up (22). On a randomized crossover trial conducted among post-menopausal women, high-fiber rye bread intake were associated with an increased acute insulin response, suggesting a protective role of high fibre content of diets on β-cell function (5).

Our findings are consistent with these previous studies and showed the relevance of the type of carbohydrates in maintaining β-cell function, independent of age, waist circumference, physical activity, alcohol consumption and total energy intake, known relevant risk factors for insulin resistance (23). One possible pathway is based on the concept that high intakes of fast absorbed carbohydrates might increase the postprandial rise in insulin quickening the exhaustion of pancreatic cells (24). Moreover, on the present study, the GI was inversely associated with HOMA-β only after adjustments for BMI, which is in accordance with previous studies that showed a stronger deleterious metabolic effect of GI among overweight individuals and prone to insulin resistance (25,26).

In conclusion, our finding suggested that high intakes of refined grains intake and usual diets with high GL diet are associated with reduced β-cell function in pre-diabetic Japanese-Brazilians. Longitudinal investigations are needed to test whether changes in the type of carbohydrates consumed could be beneficial in the natural history of glucose intolerance.

Acknowledgements: Supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (Fapesp), process 98/04178-7, 02/13450-0. To the Japanese-Brazilians,.

Disclosure: no potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Received in Oct/17/2008

Accepted in Mar/3/2009

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  • Correspondence to:
    Daniela Saes Sartorelli
    Av. Bandeirantes, 3.900
    14049-900 - Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
  • *
    Appendix: members of Japanese-Brazilian Diabetes Study Group: Alcides Hirai, Amélia T. Hirai, Helena Harima, Magid Iunes (
    in memoriam), Mário Kikuchi, Katsumi Osiro, Sandra R. G. Ferreira (Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil), Suely G. A. Gimeno (Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Katsunori Wakisaka (Japanese-Brazilians Study Center, Brazil); Daniela Saes Sartorelli, Laércio J. Franco (Departamento de Medicina Social, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP), USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil); Marly Augusto Cardoso (Departamento de Nutrição, Escola de Saúde Pública, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Nilce Tomita (Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru, USP, Bauru, SP, Brazil); Newton de Barros Jr. (Departamento de Cirurgia, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Regina C. S. Moisés, Luiza Matsumura (Departamento de Medicina, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Rita Chaim (Departamento de Nutrição, Universidade do Sagrado Coração, Bauru, SP, Brazil); Vania D'Almeida (Departamento de Pediatria, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil); Renata Damião (Departamento de Medicina Preventiva, Unifesp, São Paulo, SP, Brazil).
  • Publication Dates

    • Publication in this collection
      22 July 2009
    • Date of issue
      June 2009

    History

    • Accepted
      03 Mar 2009
    • Received
      17 Oct 2008
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