Effects of tendamistate (an alpha-amylase inactivator), guar and placebo on starch metabolism.

Nine volunteers participated in a double-blind, cross-over study to compare the effects of tendamistate (HOE 467), guar and placebo on starch metabolism. In each phase of the trial they received a maize-meal porridge breakfast. They either received 5 g guar granules before the porridge or 100 mg tendamistate mixed with the porridge, or porridge alone. Sequential plasma glucose concentrations served as a criterion of starch digestion. The area under the plasma glucose curve and maximal glucose concentrations after administration of tendamistate with the starch were significantly lower (P less than 0,05) than after guar and placebo. No significant differences were found between placebo and guar. We concluded that tendamistate effectively attenuates starch digestion and is superior to guar in reducing postprandial glycaemia.