Pancreatic Enzyme and Plasma Cholesterol Response to Chronic Ingestion of a Nonabsorbable Lipid in Rats

Abstract

Pancreatic enzyme activity and plasma and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were measured in rats chronically fed a nonabsorbable lipid, sucrose polyester (SPE), to determine if the rat pancreas responds to SPE as a dietary lipid or a nonnutritive ingredient. Adult male rats were fed for 28 d a diet containing either 5% or 20% corn oil, 5% SPE, 16% and 4% hydrogenated palm oil (HPO), or 16% corn oil and 4% HPO. HPO is used to prevent anal leakage of unabsorbed oil when SPE is fed at high dietary levels. Since HPO and SPE are not absorbed, rats fed SPE derive their energy from protein and carbohydrate in the diet. The tissue levels of pancreatic enzymes in rats consuming high levels of SPE in the diet resemble those of rats eating a low fat diet in which energy is derived from carbohydrate and protein. Plasma and HDL cholesterol levels were lowest in the group consuming high levels of SPE, an observation that is consistent with previous reports. These data indicate that the pancreas responds to SPE as a nonnutritive ingredient rather than a digestible dietary lipid.