High-Amylose Starch Reduces Liver Injury via Hydrogen Production in Rats
Suppressive Effect of High Hydrogen Generating High Amylose Cornstarch on Subacute Hepatic Ischemia-reperfusion Injury in Rats
Research hubs: Oxidative Stress
This research was done in animals. Results in animals often don't carry over to people.
- Evidence type
- Animal study (rat)
- Authors
- Hiroki Tanabe, Yumi Sasaki, Tatsuro Yamamoto, Shuhachi Kiriyama, Naomichi Nishimura
- Journal
- Bioscience of Microbiota, Food and Health
- Year
- 2012
- PMID
- 24936356
- Study Type
- Rat
- Delivery
- Gas
- Dose
- 20% high amylose cornstarch supplementation for 14 days
- Duration
- 2 weeks
- Outcome
- Positive
- Peer Reviewed
- Yes
- Cited by
- 12 (OpenAlex, as of November 2026)
- Country
- Japan
TL;DR
A special type of starch, known as high amylose cornstarch, may help reduce liver damage caused by a temporary loss and restoration of blood flow.
Key Finding
High amylose cornstarch supplementation increased intestinal hydrogen production and significantly reduced liver damage markers in rats exposed to ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Summary
Researchers fed rats a diet containing 20% high amylose cornstarch (a type of resistant starch that the body ferments in the colon) for two weeks, then subjected them to a procedure that temporarily cut off blood flow to the liver and then restored it. Rats eating the cornstarch diet produced more hydrogen gas in their intestines and showed less liver damage afterward, measured by lower levels of liver enzymes in their blood.
Practical Takeaway
This rat study suggests that resistant starch may support liver protection through increased intestinal hydrogen production, but human studies are needed to determine if this applies to people. The findings are preliminary and limited to an animal model of acute liver injury.
Abstract (excerpt)
We examined whether feeding high hydrogen generating resistant starch could suppress subacute hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury. Rats were fed a control diet with or without 20% high amylose cornstarch (HAS) supplementation for 14 days. On day 12, rats were subject to ischemia-reperfusion…