Role of dietary starches in induction of immune cells apoptosis in Wistar rats.

We compared the effects of maize and potato starch on Wistar rats. The level of oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation increased in thymic and splenic cells of animals receiving potato starch. The expression of Fas/CD95/Apo-1 apoptosis receptor in lymphocytes and their response to exogenous ceramide was also higher in rats receiving potato starch compared to the reference group. This led to intensification of spontaneous and induced apoptosis and decreased cell content in immune organs. The authors conclude that higher resistance of potato starch to digestive enzymes leads to modification of cell metabolism and induction of ceramide-dependent apoptosis in immune cells.