R&D
Functional Probiotics
Functional Probiotic Pipeline - Postprandial Blood Glucose Control
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Maintaining healthy blood glucose levels is fundamental to diabetes management.
Blood glucose serves as a primary energy source for cells and is normally regulated by metabolic and hormonal processes.
After meals, blood glucose levels temporarily rise and are brought back to normal by insulin.
However, when insulin secretion is insufficient or insulin function is impaired, postprandial blood glucose remains elevated, increasing the risk of hyperglycemia and diabetes.
Blood glucose serves as a primary energy source for cells and is normally regulated by metabolic and hormonal processes.
After meals, blood glucose levels temporarily rise and are brought back to normal by insulin.
However, when insulin secretion is insufficient or insulin function is impaired, postprandial blood glucose remains elevated, increasing the risk of hyperglycemia and diabetes.
Reducing the rate at which blood glucose rises after meals can play a key role in improving glycemic control and lowering diabetes risk.
In high-fat diet– and streptozotocin-induced diabetic animal models, HAC01 significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels, while improving glucose tolerance and insulin resistance. Mechanistic studies showed that HAC01 activates insulin and AMPK signaling pathways in liver tissue, suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis, and protects insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cells.
HAC01 also modulates the gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of the Akkermansiaceae family and elevating levels of the short-chain fatty acid butyrate.
In addition, HAC01 demonstrated reductions in body weight, adipose tissue mass, and fasting blood glucose in high-fat diet–induced obese animal models.
In addition, HAC01 demonstrated reductions in body weight, adipose tissue mass, and fasting blood glucose in high-fat diet–induced obese animal models.
In a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human study involving individuals with impaired glucose tolerance, HAC01 significantly reduced HbA1c levels and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose, confirming its ability to suppress postprandial glucose elevation.
Based on validated efficacy in both animal and human studies, HAC01 received product-specific functional approval from Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as the first and only probiotic (as of approval) recognized for postprandial blood glucose control. Products formulated with HAC01 may help support healthy blood glucose management.