Abstract
D-Psicose (D-ribo-2-hexulose), a C-3 epimer of D-fructose, is present in small quantities in commercial carbohydrates and agricultural products. To evaluate the possibility of D-psicose as low-energy sugar substitute, we studied the effects on body fat accumulation of D-psicose compared with cellulose or D-fructose in rats. Wistar male rats were fed experimental diets including 5% D-psicose, cellulose or D-fructose for 21 days. Abdominal adipose tissue weight was significantly lower (p<0.05) in rats fed D-psicose than in those fed D-fructose. Gene expression of uncoupling protein-1 and β3-adrenergic receptor in the brown adipose tissue did not differ among the dietary groups. Fatty acid synthase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities in the liver were significantly lower (p<0.05) in rats fed D-psicose, whereas lipoprotein lipase activities in the heart, soleus muscle, perirenal adipose tissue, and subcutaneous adipose tissue did not differ. These results suggest that supplementation of D-psicose in the diet suppresses hepatic lipogenic enzyme activities. The lower abdominal fat accumulation in rats fed D-psicose might have resulted from lower lipogenesis in the liver. D-Psicose could prove to be a superior sugar substitute.
