Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9600
ISSN: 2155-9600
Alexandra Valenzuelas, Monica Andrews, Matias Rivera and Miguel Arredondo*
Soluble fiber intake is essential in maintaining Glucose (Glc) homeostasis. However, the evidence attributes this effect only to viscous soluble fibers. Within the highly viscous and little explored fibers, is the Chia Mucilage (ChM), a seed present for centuries in our continent. The most accepted mechanism of action currently for viscous fibers is that they delay gastric emptying and intestinal transit, leading to better Glc management, but few studies have evaluated their action at the level of the intestinal barrier and the cells of this epithelium. Our objective was to evaluate the effect of ChM on Glc dialyzability and relative expression of SGLT-1 and GLUT-2. We performed in vitro static digestion assays for glucose and we measured Glc dialyzability and amylase activity, in the presence of ChM. Then, in Caco-2 cells challenged with Glc (25 and 35 mM) and ChM (1 mg/mL) for 2 or 12 hours, we determined mRNA relative expression of GLUT-2 and SGLT-1 by qRT-PCR and protein expression by Western Blot (WB). Digestion showed that in high Glc media, ChM leads to a decrease in Glc absorption, compared to inulin (as a control). We observed a time-dependent decrease in the residual activity of amylase in the presence of ChM, the effect was higher on pancreatic amylase than salivary amylase. There was a time-dependent effect on the relative expression of mRNA for GLUT-2 and SGLT-1, but without a decrease in protein expression. Our results showed that ChM has a potential adjuvant use in the prevention and treatment of glycemic alterations. We observed a decrease in intestinal-nutrient barrier contact; a decrease in the residual activity of amylase and/or an effect in the decrease of the expression of Glc transporters in the intestine, an aspect that requires more evidence.
Published Date: 2025-08-21; Received Date: 2024-02-27