Cyclodextrins

What are

Cyclodextrins are a family of cyclic oligosaccharides, consisting of several glucopyranose units joined together by alpha 1-4 glycosidic bonds.

Obtained through the controlled hydrolysis of corn starch - mediated by enzymes such as cyclodextrin glycosyl-transferase - cyclodextrins have a classic cyclic structure, responsible for their biological properties.

Depending on the number of glycopyrosanyl units, one can distinguish:

Alpha-cyclodextrins: consisting of 6 carbonaceous units;
Beta-cyclodextrins: consisting of 7 carbonaceous units;
Gamma-cyclodextrins: consisting of 8 carbonaceous units.

All three are characterized by a molecular weight of over 150 KDa, which therefore underlines their particular structural complexity.

Indications

Why are cyclodextrins used? What are they for?

By virtue of the enormous ductility, cyclodextrins are used in various areas of human health.

More precisely, cyclodextrins can be used as a chemical tool to convey active ingredients within the human body.

In fact, the peculiar ring structure allows to recreate a hydrophobic core, useful for conveying lipophilic active principles, and an extremely hydrophilic external environment, fundamental to improve the solubility, absorption and bioavailability of the active principles.

However, cyclodextrins have also been used successfully in clinical and sports settings.

The gradual replacement of simple sugars with cyclodextrins would, for example, seem to improve the cholesterolemia of dyslipidemic subjects.

In the sporting field, instead, the cyclodextrins would constitute a source of precious carbohydrates for the athlete, in the pre and post-training phases.

The particular chemical structure and the molecular "complexity" would be translated:

In an excellent water-solubility:
In a low osmolarity, valuable for reducing gastro-enteric side effects - such as epigastric pain, swelling and diarrhea - often caused by carbohydrate supplements;
In a better resistance to oxidative phenomena;
In an excellent gastro-enteric tolerability also mediated by the rapidity of gastric emptying.

Property and Effectiveness

What benefits have cyclodextrins shown during the studies?

Leaving aside the use of cyclodextrins as a vector for active ingredients or drugs of various kinds, there are several studies that confirm the usefulness of supplementation with cyclodextrins both in clinical and sports settings.

Very recent is a study conducted by Amar MJ et al ( Lipids Health Dis. 2016 Jul 12; 15 (1): 115. Randomized double blind clinical trial on the effect of oral α - on serum lipids. Amar MJ , Kaler M , Courville AB , Shamburek R , Sampson M , Remaley AT ) which shows how supplementation with alpha-type cyclodextrins at doses of 6 grams per day can have a positive impact on certain metabolic parameters, such as the number of small and dense LDL particles and glycemic values.

However, even from literature it is easy to see the strong sporting vocation of this supplement, which is not only a supplement with ergogenic functions, but also a useful and valid product in the recovery phases.

More precisely the proper use of cyclodextrins could:

In the pre-training phases, optimize the muscular energy reserves of glycogen and thus prepare the muscle for the subsequent phases of contraction ;
- Enhancement of swimming endurance in mice by highly branched cyclic dextrin. Takii H, Ishihara K, Kometani T, Okada S, Fushiki T. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 1999 Dec; 63 (12): 2045-52.
Control the oxidative damage induced by intense physical exercise, thus protecting the muscle-tendon structures from potential inflammatory and lesional events as observed in a very interesting study;
- Effect of a sports drink based on highly-branched cyclic dextrin on cytokine responses to exhaustive endurance exercise. Suzuki K, Shiraishi K, Yoshitani K, Sugama K, Kometani T. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2014 Oct; 54 (5): 622 -30
Support energy performance and rehydration during endurance activities;
- Effects of ingesting highly branched cyclic dextrin during endurance exercise Furuyashiki T, Tanimoto H, Yokoyama Y, Kitaura Y, Kuriki T, Shimomura Y. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2014; 78 (12): 2117-9
Improve the energy recovery of glycogen and muscle structure, thus contributing to the post-work-out supercompensation process.

Doses and method of use

How to use cyclodextrins

It is not possible to define a standard amount of cyclodextrins to be used in the supplementary field.

The quota, in fact, should be defined by the doctor or nutritionist based on the specific needs of the athlete.

Generally speaking, 25 g of cyclodextrins in 200 ml of water are recommended.

It is important to pay attention to the correct dilution, so as to avoid unpleasant side effects.

Side effects

Precisely because of its excellent physical and chemical characteristics, cyclodextrins are generally well tolerated.

However, inadequate use could cause cramping abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

Being essentially sugars, chronic abuse of cyclodextrins could contribute to the onset of overweight, obesity and metabolic disorders.

Contraindications

When should cyclodextrins not be used?

The use of cyclodextrin supplements is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as in children under 12 years of age.

Pharmacological Interactions

Which drugs or foods can change the effect of cyclodextrins?

At the moment there are no known pharmacological interactions between drugs and cyclodextrins.

However, it is useful to reiterate the hyperglycaemic effect of cyclodextrins, which could evidently compromise the glycemic balance in diabetic subjects subjected to hypoglycemic therapy.