Carbohydrate metabolism and gene expression of sirtuin 1 in healthy subjects after Sacha inchi oil supplementation: a randomized trial

Abstract

Background: The postprandial stage is related to cardiovascular risk and it depends on the type of meal consumed. We study the effects of Sacha inchi oil on the postprandial glycemic state caused by meals rich in saturated fat. Methods and Results: A double blind randomized trial in which 42 adult men ingested two breakfasts rich in saturated fat, one of them containing additionally 15 mL of Sacha inchi oil. Blood samples were obtained before or after 1 and 4 hours post-ingestion to quantify glucose, insulin and lipid profile in serum. The insulinogenic and sensitivity indices were calculated and the expression of sirtuin-1 in circulating mononuclear cells by qPCR was determined. Results: Oil addition attenuated the increase of glucose in 16 (38.1%) participants. This group showed a higher concentration of fasting triacylglycerides and sirtuin-1 expression at 4 hours post-Sacha inchi oil correlated with glucose at the same time (r = −0.724; p = 0.012), and with postprandial insulin sensitivity (r = 0.636; p = 0.035). Conclusions: The addition of Sacha inchi oil to a highly fatty meal improves insulin sensitivity in people with higher basal triglyceridemia and higher glycemic responses after a fat load. Under these conditions, sirtuin-1 expression correlates with postprandial insulin sensitivity.