(OR18-02-25) Impact of Diets Containing Beef Versus Poultry on Pancreatic β-Cell Function in Men and Women With Prediabetes: A Randomized, Crossover Trial

Objectives: This study examined the effects of beef compared to poultry intake on pancreatic β-cell function, glucose homeostasis, glucoregulatory hormone responses, and biomarkers of inflammation in adults with prediabetes.

Methods: This randomized, crossover study included adults with overweight or obesity, and prediabetes. Participants completed two 28-day diet periods separated by a 28-day washout. Two entrées were consumed daily with beef or poultry (6-7 oz/d). The primary outcome was pancreatic β-cell function assessed as the ratio of the incremental area under the curve (iAUC)_{(0-180 min)} for C-peptide to glucose during a mixed meal tolerance test. Secondary outcomes were levels of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), fibrinogen, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Analysis of covariance with baseline value as a covariate was used for statistical comparisons.

Results: Twenty-nine adults were randomized after screening for inclusion and evaluable data were available for 24 participants (17 males, 7 females) who completed the trial. There was no significant difference between beef and poultry for the primary outcome of iAUC C-peptide_{(0-180 min)}:iAUC glucose_{(0-180 min)}. Median fasting glucose was slightly but significantly higher during the beef condition (median: 114 mg/dL; interquartile range limits [IQRL]: 110, 125 mg/dL), compared to the poultry condition (median: 112 mg/dL; IQRL: 108, 118 mg/dL) (P = 0.025). iAUC_{(0-180 min)} for glucose was significantly lower at the end of the beef condition (median: 0.81 [minutes x (mg/dL) x10³]; IQRL: 0.50, 2.68), compared to the poultry condition (median: 1.27 [minutes x (mg/dL) x 10³]; IQRL: 0.52, 3.55) (P = 0.028). There were no significant differences for fasting levels or iAUC_{(0-180 min)} for insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, GLP-1, GIP, hs-CRP, fibrinogen, IL-6, or TNF-α with P values ranging from 0.14 to 0.99.

Conclusions: Compared to poultry, consumption of beef for 28 days did not produce adverse effects on pancreatic β-cell function or biomarkers of inflammation.

Funding Sources: This research was funded by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor for the Beef Checkoff.