Cholesterol metabolism in swine fed diets containing either casein or soybean protein

Abstract

AbstractDiets containing casein produce higher concentrations of serum cholesterol in swine than those containing soybean protein, but only when such diets contain high levels of cholesterol. We suggest that dietary casein causes an increase in the absorption of cholesterol and bile acids, thus explaining the observed decrease in fecal excretion of neutral steroids and bile acids when compared to soybean protein. The mechanism in molecular terms by which dietary proteins influence steroid absorption remains to be established.