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Resistant starch (RS) has been well characterized for its glycemic control properties; however, there is little consensus regarding the influence of RS on blood lipid concentrations and lipoprotein distribution and size. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize the effect of daily RS supplementation in a controlled capsule delivery on biomarkers of cardiovascular (blood lipids, lipoproteins) and diabetes (glucose, insulin) risk in a pig model. Twelve 8-week-old male Yorkshire pigs were placed on a synthetic Western diet and randomly divided into two groups (n = 6/group) for 30 days: (1) a placebo group supplemented with capsules containing unmodified pre-gelatinized potato starch (0 g/RS/day); and (2) an RS group supplemented with capsules containing resistant potato starch (10 g/RS/day). Serum lipids including total-cholesterol (C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides did not differ (p > 0.05) between the RS and placebo groups. Although the total numbers of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles were similar (p > 0.05) between the two groups, total high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles were higher (+28%, p < 0.05) in the RS group compared with placebo, resulting from an increase (p < 0.05) in the small HDL subclass particles (+32%). Compared with the placebo group, RS supplementation lowered (p < 0.05) fasting serum glucose (−20%) and improved (p < 0.05) insulin resistance as estimated by Homeostatic Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) without a change in insulin. Additionally, total serum glucagon-like-peptide 1 (GLP-1) was higher (+141%, p < 0.05) following RS supplementation compared with placebo. This data suggests that in addition to the more well-characterized effect of RS intake in lowering blood glucose and improving insulin sensitivity, the consumption of RS may be beneficial in lipid management strategies by enhancing total HDL particle number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canola (Brassica napusL.,B. rapaL. andB. junceaL.) produces one of the vegetable oils most beneficial for human health. Consequently, canola is a valuable crop for Canada. The canola industry in Canada is estimated at an annual average value of C$15.4 billion between 2007–08 and 2009–10. Farm cash receipts of canola were valued at C$8.9 billion in 2012. The value of this crop is now threatened by clubroot disease caused byPlasmodiophora brassicae(Woronin.), which has expanded dramatically since its discovery on canola in Alberta in 2003. Since this pathogen moves with infested soil from field to field, control can be very costly to farmers. Even with new control options such as pathogen resistance, the proactive management of clubroot will represent a challenge to the canola industry. Continued research into pathogen control is a necessity for the sustained success of the Canadian canola industry. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]