A 3-MONTH, DOUBLE-BLIND, CONTROLLED TRIAL OF FEEDING WITH SUCROSE POLYESTER IN HUMAN VOLUNTEERS

Sucrose polyester (SPE) is a tasteless, odourless substance which redu ces plasma cholesterol concentrations and may therefore be valuable as a fat substitute in human foodstuffs. It has recently been approved f or use in snack foods by the United States Federal Drug Administration . The current study was designed to investigate its effects on gastroi ntestinal physiology and nutrient absorption in human subjects. A 6-mo nth (2x3-month periods) double-blind placebo-controlled, randomized, c ross-over trial of SPE and control fat was performed in healthy free-l iving volunteers. Subjects consumed 20-40 g of SPE daily (mean 26.8 (S E 6.8) g) which reduced the intake of total and saturated fat but had no effect on energy intake or body weight. Plasma cholesterol and tria cylglycerols were reduced. The frequency of bowel movements and their urgency were increased and anal leakage occured in 7.2% of subjects. A bdominal pain was more frequent in subjects receiving SPE and was sign ificantly greater than in the control group after 8 weeks feeding. The plasma concentrations of vitamin E and six carotenoids were significa ntly reduced. Routine haematology and biochemistry, other vitamins, in testinal biopsies, bile-salt retention, rectal prostaglandins, fractio nal Ca absorption and aminopyrine metabolism were unaffected. The inge stion of foods containing 20-40 g SPE daily provoked significant gastr ointestinal problems. This intake is greater than that to be expected from the use of SPE in savoury snack foods, for which it has been appr oved by the United States Federal Drug Administration. However, the fa vourable effects on lipid profiles must be balanced against the reduct ion in the concentrations of vitamins and carotenoids, as these compou nds may have beneficial effects on health through protection from free -radical oxidative stress.