Sustained effects of resistant starch on the expression of genes related to carbohydrate digestion/absorption in the small intestine.

Resistant starch (RS) consumption has beneficial effects on health, such as reduced postprandial blood glucose levels. In this study, we evaluated the effect of a 14-day diet containing RS on α-glucosidase activity and the expression of genes related to carbohydrate digestion/absorption in rats. We examined whether the effects of RS persist when the rats were shifted to a control diet. The results suggest that RS consumption reduces α-glucosidase activity and Mgam, Si and Sglt1 mRNA levels in the proximal jejunum. In addition, RS consumption appeared to influence the serum GIP level, up to 2 days after the animals were shifted to a control diet. To our knowledge, this is the first report that RS has a sustained effect on gut hormone expression and the expression of genes related to carbohydrate digestion/absorption in the proximal jejunum.