Safety and efficacy of the nonsystemic chewable complex carbohydrate dietary supplement PAZ320 on postprandial glycemia when added to oral agents or insulin in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: Our primary objective was to evaluate the effect of the dietary supplement PAZ320 on postprandial glucose excursion. PAZ320 is derived from glucomannan and acts by blocking carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes and by binding to ingested polysaccharides. Endpoints included area under the curve during postprandial glucose excursion (gAUC) and adverse reactions.
METHODS: In an open-label, sequential dose-escalation, prospective study, we examined the efficacy and safety of PAZ320 in 24 subjects with type 2 diabetes treated with oral agents and/or insulin. Subjects consumed 75 g jasmine rice alone or with low-dose (8 g) or high-dose (16 g) PAZ320. A real-time blinded continuous glucose monitor (CGM) was used to assess 3-hour postprandial glycemia.
RESULTS: We found that 45% of subjects responded to high-dose PAZ320 as evidenced by a decrease in gAUC of 40% compared to baseline in a dose-dependent manner. The effect of PAZ320 does not correlate with duration of diabetes and seems to work regardless of concurrent diabetes medications. The responders had higher postmeal glucose elevation at baseline, while the nonresponders showed no effect or paradoxic glucose response to PAZ320. There was no severe hypoglycemia, and the gastrointestinal side effects were mild.
CONCLUSIONS: PAZ320 may be useful as an adjunct to decrease postprandial glycemia in type 2 diabetes, although patients should verify its effect on postprandial glucose due to a possible paradoxic response. Its safety profile is reassuring. Further study is required to determine its long-term effects on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and to further define which subpopulation may respond to PAZ320.