Sub-Acute Effects of Durian and Beta-Glucan on Cardiovascular Risk Markers and Gut Hormones in Male Rats

Abbe Maleyki Mhd Jalil (Environment and Life Sciences Programme, Faculty of Science, University Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, BE1410, Brunei Darussalam)
Atirah A Aziz (School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, 21300, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia)
Napisah Hussin (School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, 21300, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia)
Anuar Md Zain (School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, 21300, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia)
Muhammad Ibrahim (Department of Nutrition Sciences, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Pahang, Malaysia)
Erni Sofia Murtini (Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, East Java, Indonesia)
Nurul Huda (Postgraduate School, Universitas Brawijaya, Kota Malang, Jawa Timur 65145, Indonesia)

Jurnal Media Gizi Indonesia (MGI)
Vol. 21 No. 4 (2026): MEDIA GIZI INDONESIA

Durian (Durio zibethinus Murr.) consumption increased postprandial glycemic and lipid profiles. This study determine the effect of adding soluble beta-glucan with durian on posptprandial glycemic, lipid profiles and gut hormones (peptide YY, glucagon-like peptide-1, cholecystokinin). Rats were divided to Positive Control, Durian, Beta-Glucan, Durian + Beta-Glucan and Negative Control (normal diet). Durian (114.5 g) and 4 g of beta-glucan were converted to animal equivalent dose (AED). The formulations were given using an oral gavage. Blood was collected at the end of week 2. Durian + Beta-Glucan showed significantly (p<0.05) lower food intake compared with Beta-Glucan group.  Durian and/or Beta-glucan showed similar fasting glycemic, insulin, C-peptide and gut hormones compared with controls and baseline for all treatment groups. Rats fed with Durian + Beta-Glucan showed significantly (p<0.003) higher LDL-c compared with baseline with 0.42 (0.37-0.54) and 0.16 (0.08-0.26) mmol/L, respectively. This study suggests that a combination of durian and beta-glucan reduced food intake and has no negative effects on glycaemic response. The effects could be due to increase stomach distention or slower gastric emptying. It is imperative to note that sub-acute durian supplementation was associated with higher LDL-c but this needs to be confirmed in human study.