Annals of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism

Original Articles

Insulinotropic action of L-carnitine and branched-chain amino acids following energy intake in healthy, young Japanese women: a non-randomized controlled trial: Yoichi Sakurai, Hideyuki Namba, Satoshi Odo; Ann Clin Nutr Metab 2025;17(2):139-148. Published online August 1, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.15747/ACNM.25.0011

Abstract PDF: Purpose
The present study uses healthy human volunteers to examine the insulinotropic action of L-carnitine and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) after energy intake.
Methods
A total of 39 young, healthy human volunteers were assigned to receive oral doses of either L-carnitine alone (L group, n=10) or L-carnitine combined with a single or long-term continuous dose of BCAAs. Controls (C group, n=16) received none of these. L-carnitine was administered orally at 1,000 mg/d for 14 days, and BCAA was administered orally either once just before exercise (L+SB group, n=6), or every day for 14 days (L+CB group, n=7) until 2 days before the experiment. After overnight fasting, 200 kcal of glucose and oral nutritional supplement were administered to prevent hypoglycemia. Blood glucose, free-fatty acid, and serum insulin levels were measured to examine the insulinotropic action before and after exercise.
Results
Blood glucose and serum insulin levels in the L group were significantly lower than those in the C group. While the serum insulin levels were higher after energy administration than those in the fasting state in all groups, these were significantly higher in the L+SB group and in the L+CB group compared with those in the L group. The insulinotropic action after energy intake remained even after the repeated administration of BCAA discontinued 2 days before the experi¬ment and even after serum BCAA levels remained the same.
Conclusion
While the insulinotropic action appeared after a single dose of BCAA, it was also potentiated by long-term repeated oral administration of BCAA.

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Effects of enteral nutrition formulas with varying carbohydrate amounts on glycemic control in diabetic mice: Yukari Miki, Kazuo Hino; Ann Clin Nutr Metab 2025;17(1):85-93. Published online April 1, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.15747/ACNM.25.0006

Purpose
This study evaluated the effects of an 8‑week liquid diets with different carbohydrate contents–64% energy in HINE E‑Gel (ST) and 50% energy in HINE E‑Gel LC (LC)–on glycemic control and nutritional status in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (db/db mice). The objective was to determine whether reducing carbohydrate intake within the Dietary Reference Intakes for Japanese people improves glycemic control indices, addressing the evidence gap in regarding the long‑term safety and efficacy of low‑carbohydrate enteral nutrition in patients with diabetes.
Methods
db/db mice (n=10 per group) and non‑diabetic db/m mice (n=4) as controls were fed ST, LC, or AIN‑93G diets ad libitum for 8 weeks. The diets primarily differed in carbohydrate content (64% in ST vs. 50% in LC). Blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), plasma glucose and glycoalbumin, organ weights, and renal function markers were measured weekly or at 4 and 8 weeks. Histopathological examinations of the liver and kidneys were performed at 8 weeks.
Results
At 8 weeks, the LC group showed significantly lower plasma glucose (P=0.0051) and glycoalbumin (P=0.0013) levels compared to the ST group, with a trend toward lower HbA1c (P=0.0514). Although body weight was significantly higher in the LC group (P=0.0038), there were no significant differences between the ST and LC groups in caloric intake, renal function, or histopathological findings.
Conclusion
Reducing carbohydrate intake to 50% of total energy within dietary guidelines may improve glycemic control in diabetic mice, suggesting the need for further long‑term evaluation for clinical applications.

Citations

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Strengthening collaboration: introducing the contributions of Japanese Society for Surgical Metabolism and Nutrition to Annals of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism
Ye Rim Chang
Ann Clin Nutr Metab.2025; 17(2): 95. CrossRef

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