Long-term intervention of the esterified starch enhanced the satiety of mice via alterations to pyruvate metabolism.

Esterified starch (ES) has been shown to enhance short-term satiety, but the mechanism by which its long-term intervention affects satiety is still unclear. In this study, acetylated starch (SA), octenylsuccinic acid-modified starch (OSA), and phosphorylated starch (SP) were administered to mice over one month. All ES reduced the average chain length, enhanced thermal stability and digestive resistance. SA and OSA demonstrated superior satiety-enhancing effects. Correlation analysis shows that starch chain length is related to satiety. SP and OSA impeded the digestive and absorptive processes of carbohydrates in the small intestine, by altering the morphology of intestinal villi and crypts and inhibiting α-glucosidase and Na+-K+-ATPase activity. These can lead to the regulation of blood sugar levels and a reduction in insulin secretion, which can enhance satiety. Meanwhile, in SA and OSA groups, the abundance of beneficial microbiota (including Akkermansia muciniphila and Dyssomobacter) and microorganisms associated with the metabolism of polysaccharides (including Bacteroides acidifaciens) significantly increased. Moreover, all ES boosted pyruvate metabolism, and the gene expressions of enzymes, containing [EC 1.2.1.22] and [EC 6.2.1.1], leading to increased 5-hydroxytryptophan and serotonin, then further promote satiety. This study highlights the potential of esterified starch in developing high satiety functional foods.