CORNSTARCH INGESTION AFTER ORAL GLUCOSE LOADING - EFFECT ON GLUCOSE-CONCENTRATIONS, HORMONE RESPONSE, AND SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH POSTPRANDIAL HYPOGLYCEMIC SYNDROME

In susceptible individuals ingestion of glucose can lead to clinical symptoms of hypoglycemia as well as a reflex rise of counterregulatory hormones. We hypothesized that cornstarch, a slowly absorbed starch, might prevent hypoglycemic-symptom episodes. Eight patients who had characteristic signs, symptoms, and reflex hormonal responses of hypoglycemia at the glucose nadir after ingesting 75 g glucose (OGTT) participated. Patients ingested 75 g glucose followed by 75 g raw cornstarch (OGTT + CS). None of the patients reported symptoms or had signs of hypoglycemia in response to OGTT + CS. The glucose nadir concentration during OGTT + CS (3.8 ± 0.6 mmol/L) was significantly higher than during OGTT (3.2 ± 0.6; P < 0.03). The responses of cortisol (331 ± 166 nmol) and epinephrine (491 ± 589 pmol/L) at the glucose nadir during OGTT + CS were significantly lower than the responses of cortisol (524 ± 193 nmol/L; P < 0.003) and epinephrine 1834 ± 1135 pmol/L (P < 0.0005) during OGTT. A slowly absorbed starch such as cornstarch may be an effective component in dietary management of this disorder.