Dietary Pectin Research Articles

Effect of pectin on plasma lipids and caecal enzyme activity in rutin‐supplemented mice

AbstractBACKGROUND: Few previous reports have considered the effects of dietary fibre on the plasma lipids and caecal enzyme activity of mice fed a rutin‐supplemented diet. This investigation studied the effects of pectin on the plasma lipids and caecal enzyme activities of mice fed a diet supplemented with the quercetin glycoside rutin.RESULTS: Male mice were randomly divided into two groups and fed either a pectin–rutin (PR) diet or a cellulose–rutin (CR) diet for 14 days. Plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations and caecal β‐glucosidase and β‐glucuronidase activities were measured. The plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were significantly higher in the CR diet group, as were the caecal β‐glucosidase and β‐glucuronidase activities. The caecal β‐glucuronidase/β‐glucosidase activity ratio was significantly higher in the PR diet group, indicating differences in the metabolic activity of the intestinal flora.CONCLUSION: The PR diet greatly affected the caecal enzyme activities. A pectin diet supplemented with the quercetin glycoside rutin might affect the lipid metabolism and metabolic activity of the intestinal flora. The plasma lipid‐lowering effects of the PR diet might have been partially caused by the metabolic actions of the intestinal gut flora. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry

Dietary pectin up‐regulates monocaboxylate transporter 1 in the rat gastrointestinal tract

This work was undertaken to study the effect of pectin feeding on the expression level, cellular localization and functional activity of monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) in the gastrointestinal tract of rats. The results indicated that MCT1 protein level was significantly increased along the entire length of the gastrointestinal tract of pectin-fed rats in comparison with control animals. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed an increase in MCT1 in the stratified squamous epithelia of the forestomach as well as in the basolateral membranes of the cells lining the gastric pit of the glandular stomach of pectin-fed rats when compared with control animals. The parietal cells, which showed barely any or no detectable MCT1 in the control group, exhibited a strong intensity of MCT1 on the basolateral membranes in pectin-fed rats. In the small intestine of pectin-fed rats, strong immunopositivity for MCT1 was detected in the brush border and basolateral membranes of the absorptive enterocytes lining the entire villi, while in control rats, weak reactivity was detected on the brush border membrane in a few absorptive enterocytes in the villus tip. In the large intestine of control animals, MCT1 was detected on the basolateral membranes of the epithelia lining the caecum and colon. This staining intensity was markedly increased in pectin-fed rats, along with the appearance of strong reactivity for MCT1 on the apical membranes of the surface and crypt epithelia of caecum and colon. Our results also showed that MCT1 co-localizes with its chaperone, basigin (CD147), in the rat gastrointestinal tract, and that the pectin feeding increased the expression of CD147. In vivo functional studies revealed an enhanced acetate absorption in the colon of pectin-fed in comparison with control animals. We conclude that MCT1 is up-regulated along the gastrointestinal tract of pectin-fed rats, which might represent an adaptive response to the increased availability of its substrates.

Low esterified pectin accelerates removal of lead ions in rats

Dietary pectin is an essential part of human diet possessing numerous beneficial properties including its capacity to bind metal ions, in particular, those of lead. It was suggested that pectins with different structure may variously influence lead metabolism and its toxicity. The present study was conducted to estimate metal binding capacity of calcium pectate and pectins with low and high degree of esterification and their effects on lead absorption, retention, and removal in laboratory rats. Under in vitro conditions, low esterified pectin was the most effective and bound 2.2 mmol of lead per gram. Treatment of rats with low esterified pectin and calcium pectate significantly reduced lead retention in liver, heart, kidney, and bones. In rats preliminary given the lead solution, removal of the metal ions from organs and femur after administration of low esterified pectin or calcium pectate was more pronounced than after treatment with high esterified pectin. This was proven by the several times reduced lead concentration in organs and 45.7% and 21% increased metal content in feces of the animals, respectively, for calcium pectate and low esterified pectin. The results suggest that pectin with a low degree of esterification and calcium pectate may be considered as perspective dietary compounds removing environmental lead from the body.

한국인 젊은 여성에서 셀룰로오스 및 펙틴이 식이성 발열효과에 미치는 영향

The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of fiber?free control diet (CD), cellulose diet (CED) and pectin diet (PTD) on diet induced thermogenesis (DIT) in healthy Korean woman for 3 hours. The three test diets were as follows: CD (carbohydrate intake: 63.4% of energy, protein intake: 14.0% of energy and fat intake: 25.8% of energy), CED (carbohydrate intake: 62.5% of energy, protein intake: 14.0% of energy and fat intake: 26.1% of energy) and PTD (carbohydrate intake: 62.7% of energy, protein intake: 14.0% of energy and fat intake: 26.2 of energy). Groups were served 10 g of cellulose for CED and 10 g of pectin for PTD, respectively. DIT was measured at fasting state and at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min after consuming each diet. The mean age of all subjects was 22.3±1.9 years. Body weight was 52.5±8.6 kg and body mass index was 20.6±2.7 ㎏/㎡. Preprandial resting energy expenditure was 0.79±0.02 kcal/min and postprandial DIT were 14.05±0.62% for CD, 9.33±0.62% for CED, 11.07±1.35% for PTD as a percentage of the energy load. DIT of CD was significantly higher than those of CED and PTD. There was no significant difference in postprandial change in body temperature after consuming each test diets and the sympathetic nervous system activity measured by heart rate was significantly higher in CD than CED and PTD (p＜0.05). With this study, it can be concluded that CED and PTD have significantly lowered in DIT (p＜0.05). We didn't show the correlation of the factors that relate in DIT; thus, further experiments on that matter should be followed.

Effect of feeding fermentable fiber on synthesis of total and mucosal protein in the intestine of the growing pig

Abstract In a previous study, a reduced efficiency of ileal digestible threonine (THR) use for body protein deposition was observed in growing pigs when pectin was included in the diet. This response was not due to increased physical endogenous ileal THR loss. Our aim was to explore the contribution of diet-induced increases in protein synthesis in the colon, especially mucins, to dietary THR requirements. Twelve barrows (21 kg mean BW) were fed either a cornstarch–soybean meal-based diet (Control) or Control with 12% pectin (Pectin). Pigs were given intravenously 1.5 mmol/kg BW of L-1-13C valine (40 mol%) to measure fractional and absolute synthesis rates (FSR, ASR, respectively) of mucosal and whole intestinal protein in the jejunum and colon. Dietary pectin inclusion increased plasma levels of glucose, isoleucine and glutamine (P 0.10). There were no differences in FSR and ASR of whole intestinal protein in jejunum and colon (P > 0.10). The FSR of mucosal proteins in colon, not in jejunum, was increased with dietary pectin supplementation (P

Effect of dietary soluble fiber on neurohormonal profiles in serum and brain of rats

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary soluble fiber administration and /or high fat diet on serum and brain neurohormonal profiles, adipose tissue mass and body weight gain in Sprague-Dawley rats. Four groups of rats were respectively fed 10% fat diet (C), 10% fat plus pectin diet (P), 20% fat diet (HFC) and 20% fat plus pectin diet (HFP) for 4 weeks. In HFP group, the food and energy intake, body weight gain, FER including fecal excretion were the smallest (p<0.05). Serum HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose level were also the lowest in HFP group (p<0.05). The weight of brain, epididymal fat pad and adrenal gland except liver didn't show any significant differences among groups. Interestingly serum norepinephrine concentration of HFP group tended to be higher, but dopamine concentration tended to be lower than those of HFC group. However serum catecholamine concentration didn't show any significant differences among all groups. Norepinephrine and epinephrine contents of right portion of midbrain of P and HFP groups were remarkably lower than those of the C group. These results suggested that soluble fiber pectin consumption might affect neurohormonal profiles in serum and brain according to dietary fat level.

Dietary pectin stimulates protein metabolism in the digestive tract

Objective The aim of this study was to determine if protein metabolism was altered in small and large intestines by feeding pectin, a soluble fiber known to stimulate cecal production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and to have a trophic effect in these tissues. Methods Twenty-four weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed ad libitum for 14 d with a balanced control diet or an isoproteic, isocaloric pectin (citrus) diet (80 g/kg). SCFA production, intestinal histomorphometry, and protein synthesis were determined in the proximal and distal parts of the small intestine, the cecum, and the colon. Protein synthesis rates were determined by measuring the 13C valine incorporation rate in tissue proteins. Results Pectin feeding slightly decreased food intake and growth rate. It increased the acetate, propionate, and butyrate pools in the cecum. Pectin feeding resulted in heavier intestinal tissues corresponding to higher villus height in the small intestine and crypt depth in the small and large intestines compared with feeding of the control diet. Compared with the control group, the rats fed the pectin diet had significantly higher protein synthesis rates in all the parts of their intestines. Conclusion Supplementation of pectin, as a soluble fiber, in the diets, stimulated SCFA production, had a trophic effect on the different parts of the intestines, and greatly stimulated protein synthesis in those tissues.

Effects of Supplementing Concentrates Differing in Carbohydrate Composition in Veal Calf Diets: I. Animal Performance and Rumen Fermentation Characteristics

The aim of this experiment was to examine the effects of concentrates in feed, differing in carbohydrate source, on the growth performance and rumen fermentation characteristics of veal calves. For this purpose, 160 Holstein Friesian×Dutch Friesian crossbred male calves were used in a complete randomized block design with a 5×2 factorial arrangement. Dietary treatments consisted of 1) milk replacer control, 2) pectin-based concentrate, 3) neutral detergent fiber-based concentrate, 4) starch-based concentrate, and 5) mixed concentrate (equal amounts of concentrates of treatments 2, 3, and 4). Concentrate diets were provided as pellets in addition to a commercial milk replacer. Calves were euthanized either at the end of 8 or 12wk of age. The overall dry matter intake of the concentrate diets varied between 0.37 and 0.52kg/d. Among the concentrate diets, the dry matter intake was lower in the starch diet (0.37kg/d of dry matter) and differed between the NDF and pectin diets. The average daily gain for all the dietary treatments varied between 0.70 and 0.78kg/d. The mixed- and NDF-fed calves had an increased average daily gain (0.78 and 0.77kg/d, respectively) compared with the starch- and pectin-fed calves (0.70 and 0.71kg/d, respectively). Rumen fermentation in the calves fed concentrates was characterized by a low pH (4.9 to 5.2), volatile fatty acid concentrations between 100 and 121 mmol/L, and high concentrations of reducing sugars (33 to 66 g/kg of dry matter). The volatile fatty acid concentrations of calves fed concentrates were higher than those of the control calves. All concentrate treatments showed a low acetate-to-propionate ratio in rumen fluid (between 1.3 and 1.9). Among the concentrates, the NDF diet had the highest (55.5%) and starch the lowest (45.5%) molar proportions of acetate. Calves fed the mixed, pectin, and starch diets had significantly higher molar proportions of butyrate (13.1 to 15.8%) than the NDF- and control-fed groups (9.9 and 9.6%, respectively). Calves fed the control diet had a higher lactate concentration (21 mmol/L) than the concentrate-fed calves (between 5 and 11 mmol/L). With the exception of the NDF diet, polysaccharide-degrading enzyme activities in the rumen contents generally showed an adaptation of the microorganisms to the carbohydrate source in the diet. The mixed diet exhibited the least variation in rumen polysaccharide-degrading enzyme activities among the enzymes systems tested. Results indicated that the carbohydrate source can influence intake, growth rate, and rumen fermentation in young veal calves.

Suppression of endotoxin-induced proinflammatory responses by citrus pectin through blocking LPS signaling pathways

Pectin is composed of complex polysaccharides rich in galactoside residues, and it is most abundant in citrus fruits. Pectin and modified pectin have been found to exhibit anti-mutagenic activity and inhibit cancer metastasis and proliferation, with no evidence of toxicity or other serious side effects. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of pectin at different degrees of esterification (DEs) on the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages. Western blot and RT-PCR analyses demonstrated that 30% esterified pectin (DE30), DE60 pectin, and DE90 pectin significantly inhibited the protein and mRNA expressions of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-activated macrophages, and DE90 pectin was the most-potent inhibitor. To clarify the mechanisms involved, DE90 pectin was found to inhibit the phosphorylation of MAPKs and IKK kinase activity. In addition, DE90 pectin inhibited the activation of NF-κB and AP-1 by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and transient transfection experiments. Finally, we found that DE90 pectin could bind with LPS, and might result in decreased binding of LPS to its receptor. These results suggest that modulation of iNOS and COX-2 expressions by dietary pectin may be important in cancer chemoprevention and anti-inflammation.

Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 and Lactobacillus salivarius UCC500 Modify Carboxylic Acid Formation in the Hindgut of Rats Given Pectin, Inulin, and Lactitol

The effect of Bifidobacterium lactis (Bb-12) and Lactobacillus salivarius (UCC500) on the formation of carboxylic acids (CAs) was studied in the hindgut of rats fed pectin, inulin of low solubility, and lactitol. When the pectin diet was supplemented with Bb-12, the formation of CAs was larger throughout the colon of rats, due to increased formation of acetic acid (P < 0.01) and, in the distal part of the colon, also because of propionic and butyric acids (P < 0.01). In rats fed pectin and UCC500, there was a shift in the formation of CAs from the cecum to the distal colon. Thus, the cecal pool of CAs in the rats was lower (P < 0.05), whereas the concentration of CAs in the distal part of colon was larger (P < 0.01) than without this strain. Concerning the slowly fermentable inulin, there was a greater formation of CAs in the cecum (P < 0.05) of rats, especially propionic acid, and a lower formation in the distal part of the colon (P < 0.01) when the diets were supplemented with Bb-12, whereas UCC500 had no effect except for a lower proportion of acetic acid in the distal part of the colon (P < 0.001). In rats fed lactitol and Bb-12, the concentration of CAs was lower in the distal part of colon (P < 0.001) than without this strain, whereas the cecal pool of CAs was greater in rats supplemented with UCC500 (P < 0.001). We conclude that the probiotic bacteria affect the amount, the pattern, and the site of release of CAs in the hindgut of rats, but the combination of pre- and probiotics is of great importance for the outcome.

Fish oil and pectin enhance apoptosis in irradiated rat colonocytes via suppression of PGE synthase‐2 and Wnt pathway

We have previously shown a synergistic protective effect of the combination of fish oil and pectin on both colon tumor incidence and enhancement of spontaneous apoptosis. We hypothesized that a diet containing fish oil and pectin may enhance apoptosis through suppression of the prostaglandin and Wnt pathways (fish oil) and activation of death receptor-mediated apoptosis (pectin). To test this hypothesis, rats were provided diets containing either fish oil/pectin or corn oil/cellulose. We injected all rats with azoxymethane (15 mg/kg body wt), a colon specific carcinogen, during the 3rd and 4th week after starting the diets. Rats were exposed to 1 Gy, 1 GeV/nucleon Fe-ion radiation. Apoptosis (TUNEL assay), and PGE synthase-2, PPARβ /δ, and β-catenin (Western blots) were determined 31 wk after the last AOM injection. A fish oil/pectin diet suppressed (P = 0.03) PGE synthase-2 levels compared to the corn oil/cellulose diet. PPARβ/ δ (P = 0.06) and β-catenin (P = 0.06) levels also showed a similar trend. Apoptosis was enhanced (P = 0.03) in irradiated rats consuming a fish oil/pectin diet. These data suggest that enhanced apoptosis observed in irradiated rats consuming a fish oil/pectin diet could be attributed to lower PGE synthase-2, PPARβ/ δ and β-catenin levels. Thus, this study provides evidence that the mechanism of action by which the fish oil and pectin diet induces apoptosis in radiation exposed rats at the tumor stage involves the PGE2 and Wnt pathways. Funded by AICR 05B094, NIH CA61750, CA82907, NSBRI NASA NCC 9-58, and NIEHS P30-ES09106.

Increasing dietary pectin level reduces utilization of digestible threonine intake, but not lysine intake, for body protein deposition in growing pigs1

Two N balance studies were conducted to investigate the effects of feeding graded levels of pectin (a soluble nonstarch polysaccharide, NSP) on the utilization of ileal digestible threonine (Thr; Thr study) and lysine (Lys; Lys study) intake for body protein deposition (PD) in growing pigs. In each study, eight Yorkshire barrows with an average initial BW of 17.2 +/- 1.3 (Thr study) and 14.3 +/- 1.4 kg (Lys study) were fed each of five experimental diets during five subsequent experimental periods, according to a crossover design. Pigs were fed twice daily at 2.6 times maintenance energy requirements. The soybean- and cornstarch-based diets, in which either Thr or Lys was the first-limiting nutrient, were formulated to contain (as-fed basis) 0, 4, 8, or 12% pectin or 8% cellulose (water-insoluble NSP), respectively, and with NSP substituting cornstarch. Across treatments, the mean daily Thr and Lys intake were 5.42 +/- 0.04 g/d (Thr study) and 7.98 +/- 0.12 g/d (Lys study), respectively. Apparent and standardized ileal digestibilities of Thr and Lys were determined in a separate study. Mean PD was 93.4, 90.2, 82.1, 76.7, and 87.9 g/d (SEM = 1.3; Thr study) and 90.7, 88.6, 87.8, 85.3, and 88.1 g/d (SEM = 1.1; Lys study) for the five respective treatments. Utilization of ileal digestible Thr intake, but not of ileal digestible Lys intake, for PD decreased linearly with dietary pectin level, and was not influenced by diet cellulose level. The current study indicates that apparent and standardized ileal digestibility values do not provide an accurate predictor of dietary effects on the utilization of ileal digestible Thr intake for protein deposition in growing pigs fed diets containing soluble NSP.

An Increase in Reactive Oxygen Species by Dietary Fish Oil Coupled with the Attenuation of Antioxidant Defenses by Dietary Pectin Enhances Rat Colonocyte Apoptosis

We showed previously that the dietary combination of fish oil, rich in (n-3) fatty acids, and the fermentable fiber pectin enhances colonocyte apoptosis in a rat model of experimentally induced colon cancer. In this study, we propose that the mechanism by which this dietary combination heightens apoptosis is via modulation of the colonocyte redox environment. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 60) were fed 1 of 2 fats (corn oil or fish oil) and 1 of 2 fibers (cellulose or pectin) for 2 wk before determination of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative DNA damage, antioxidant enzyme activity [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] and apoptosis in isolated colonocytes. Fish oil enhanced ROS, whereas the combination of fish oil and pectin suppressed SOD and CAT and enhanced the SOD/CAT ratio compared with a corn oil and cellulose diet. Despite this modulation to a seemingly prooxidant environment, oxidative DNA damage was inversely related to ROS in the fish oil and pectin diet, and apoptosis was enhanced relative to other diets. Furthermore, apoptosis increased exponentially as ROS increased. These results suggest that the enhancement of apoptosis associated with fish oil and pectin feeding may be due to a modulation of the redox environment that promotes ROS-mediated apoptosis.

The influence of 5% and 10% dietary apple pectin on parameters of fermentation in faeces and caecal digesta of weaning pigs

In order to determine the effect of pectin on fermentation parameters in the faeces and caecal digesta of weaned pigs 18 castrated male crossbred pigs with an average body weight of 8 kg were fitted with T-cannulas at the caecum. The animals were randomly distributed into three groups and fed with diets supplemented with 0, 5 and 10% pectin. Faeces were collected over a period of 3 days. Thereafter the diets were withdrawn for 24 h followed by ad libitum feeding to enhance the feed intake. Caecal chyme was collected 0, 8 and 24 h postprandial. In the faeces the addition of 5% pectin to the diet lowered the content of dry matter and lactic acid. The pH and the digestibility of pectins, the concentration of total SCFA, acetate, propionate, butyrate, bicarbonate and chloride increased. Dietary pectin of 10% increased the content of total SCFA and acetate further. When the diets were withdrawn and fed ad libitum 24 h later, a decline of the pH and an increased concentration of lactate in the caecal chyme could be observed in all groups up to 8 h after feeding. With an interval of 8 to 24 h after feeding, a further decline in pH and a rise of lactate only occurred when the diet was not supplemented with pectin. It was concluded that pectin might be beneficial for the development of fermentative processes in the large intestine.

Mechanisms by which resistant starches and non-starch polysaccharide sources affect the metabolism and disposition of the food carcinogen, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5- f]quinoline

Although both non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and resistant starches (RS) are included in current definitions of dietary fibre, our previous work has suggested fundamental differences in the way in which these two classes of material affect the disposition and absorption of a dietary carcinogen. The present studies explore whether different effects on carcinogen metabolism could play a role in the contrasting patterns seen previously. Groups of female Wistar rats were pre-fed for 4 weeks one of five types of defined diet (AIN-76). The control diet contained 35% maize starch and no dietary fibre. The RS-containing diets had all the maize starch substituted with either Hi-maize™ or potato starch. In the NSP-containing diets, 10% of the maize starch was substituted with dietary fibre in the form of either lignified plant cell walls (wheat straw) or soluble dietary fibre (apple pectin). Pre-fed rats were gavaged with the food carcinogen, [2- 14 C ] 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5- f]quinoline (IQ), and plasma and urinary metabolites characterized using HPLC at various time intervals after administration. After 4 h gavage, plasma from rats on both RS-containing diets contained significantly higher levels of intact IQ and lower levels of the major metabolites, IQ-5- O-glucuronide and IQ-5- sulfate, as compared with plasma from the negative control group at this time. In contrast, plasma from animals on the NSP-containing wheat straw diet (and to a lesser extent the apple pectin diet) showed significantly lower levels of intact IQ, and significantly higher levels of the two major metabolites, as compared with those from the control rats. These different metabolite profiles were also reflected in different urinary excretion profiles. Urine from rats pre-fed RS-containing diets revealed significantly slower metabolite excretion as compared with urine from rats that had been given the NSP-containing diets. Western blotting methodologies also profiled differences between the effects of these two types of dietary fibre in the expression of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes. We conclude that changes in activity and expression of xenobiotic metabolising enzymes could play a role in the contrasting effects of these two types of dietary fibre on carcinogen uptake and disposition.

Morphology of the small intestinal mucosal surface of broilers in relation to age, diet formulation, small intestinal microflora and performance

1. Three experiments were performed to relate morphological characteristics of the small intestinal mucosal surface to age, dietary factors, small intenstinal microflora and performance of broilers. Characterisation of the small intestinal mucosal surface using a dissecting microscope was based on the orientation of the villi, villus shape and the presence of convoluted villi. 2. In Trial 1, the morphological changes of the mucosal surface were studied weekly in the period from 7 to 28 d of age. At d 7 mainly tongue- and leaf-shaped villi together with some ridge-shaped ones were observed in the middle section of the small intestine, displaying a regular zigzag pattern on 53% of the mucosal surface. During the period from d 7 to 14, the area with ridge-shaped villi increased from 7 to 63% and did not change significantly over the next 2 weeks. 3. In Trial 2, three protein sources, soy isolate (SI), wheat gluten (WG), hydrolysed wheat gluten (HWG) and SI with added l-glutamine (SI + Gln), were studied with respect to their effect as dietary components on villus morphology in the mid-small intestine and performance. Diets were fed with (0 to 14 d) and without pectin (14 to 21 d). Feed conversion ratio on the HWG diet improved in comparison to the native WG diet. During the period 0 to 14 d of age the mucosal area with zigzag-oriented villi increased when the pectin diet was supplemented with Gln. Moreover, weight gain of birds fed the SI + Gln diet increased in the period 41 to 21 d. 4. In Trial 3, a study was made of the morphological response of the villi to a stimulation of microbial activity in the digesta after addition of highly methylated pectin to the soybean meal (SBM) diet. This was performed with and without inoculation of a non-virulent Salmonella typhimurium on d 7. By d 21 the birds fed the pectin diet showed impaired weight gain and higher feed conversion. The pectin affected the mucosal surface by decreasing the area with the zigzag pattern and increasing the area with convoluted, mainly ridge-shaped villi. The Salmonella typhimurium infection increased the effects of pectin on performance and mucosal morphology.

Citrus pectin and oligofructose improve folate status and lower serum total homocysteine in rats.

Low folate status leads to increased total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration, and this has been associated with an increased risk of several diseases. Many colonic bacteria are capable of synthesizing folate, and certain dietary fibers may enhance this effect. We assessed the ability of non-fermentable (cellulose) and fermentable (citrus pectin and oligofructose) fibers to improve folate status and lower tHcy in rats. Weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a folate-deficient diet with 5% cellulose for four weeks. Rats were then randomly assigned to one of five folate-adequate (400 micrograms/kg diet) test diets for 24 days. Diets were as follows: Basal; Basal + Sulfa Drug (succinylsulfathiazole); Cellulose; Citrus Pectin; and Oligofructose. High-fiber diets were formulated by diluting the basal diet such that the final diets contained 10% of the added fiber. Twenty-one days later, 3H-p-aminobenzoic acid was injected into the cecum, and rats were terminated three days later. Rats receiving the Citrus Pectin diet had significantly higher plasma (p = 0.011), erythrocyte (p = 0.035), and colonic tissue folate concentrations (p = 0.013) and lower tHcy (p = 0.003) than rats given the Cellulose diet. Rats receiving the Oligofructose had significantly higher plasma folate (p < 0.001) and lower tHcy (p = 0.032) concentrations than rats receiving the Cellulose diet. 3H-folate was detected in the livers of all rats except those receiving Sulfa Drug. Our study indicates that Citrus Pectin and Oligofructose, but not Cellulose, can significantly increase indices of folate status in rats and lower tHcy. It also confirms the ability of the large bowel to absorb folate.

Dietary pectin and calcium inhibit colonic proliferation in vivo by differing mechanisms

Diet plays an important role in promoting and/or preventing colon cancer; however, the effects of specific nutrients remain uncertain because of the difficulties in correlating epidemiological and basic observations. Transmissible murine colonic hyperplasia (TMCH) induced by Citrobacter rodentium, causes significant hyperproliferation and hyperplasia in the mouse distal colon and increases the risk of subsequent neoplasia. We have recently shown that TMCH is associated with an increased abundance of cellular beta-catenin and its nuclear translocation coupled with up-regulation of its downstream targets, c-myc and cyclin D1. In this study, we examined the effects of two putatively protective nutrients, calcium and soluble fibre pectin, on molecular events linked to proliferation in the colonic epithelium during TMCH. Dietary intervention incorporating changes in calcium [high (1.0%) and low (0.1%)] and alterations in fibre content (6% pectin and fibre-free) were compared with the standard AIN-93 diet (0.5% calcium, 5% cellulose), followed by histomorphometry and immunochemical assessment of potential oncogenes. Dietary interventions did not alter the time course of Citrobacter infection. Both 1.0% calcium and 6% pectin diet inhibited increases in proliferation and crypt length typically seen in TMCH. Neither the low calcium nor fibre-free diets had significant effect. Pectin diet blocked increases in cellular beta-catenin, cyclin D1 and c-myc levels associated with TMCH by 70%, whereas neither high nor low calcium diet had significant effect on these molecules. Diets supplemented with either calcium or pectin therefore, exert anti-proliferative effects in mouse distal colon involving different molecular pathways. TMCH is thus a diet-sensitive model for examining the effect of specific nutrients on molecular characteristics of the pre-neoplastic colonic epithelium.

Comparação entre o efeito do resíduo do abacaxizeiro (caules e folhas) e da pectina cítrica de alta metoxilação no nível de colesterol sangüíneo em ratos

O presente trabalho visou a investigar o efeito da ingestão do resíduo do abacaxizeiro no nível do colesterol total, HDL-colesterol e LDL-colesterol em ratos em comparação com a pectina cítrica, e verificar o comportamento dos animais em relação ao consumo alimentar e ao ganho de peso nos períodos de 15, 30 e 45 dias. As dietas do resíduo proporcionaram um maior consumo alimentar quando comparadas às dietas de pectina. O maior ganho de peso foi observado nas dietas: controle e com 10% de resíduo aos 15 e 30 dias, e aos 45 dias somente a dieta controle. O resíduo proporcionou um ganho de peso intermediário e a pectina, o menor ganho de peso. Os tratamentos com a pectina foram mais efetivos na redução do colesterol total; no entanto, aos 15 dias, as dietas com 10% e 15% de resíduo, aos 30 dias a dieta com 10% de resíduo, e todas as dietas contendo resíduo aos 45 dias. A concentração plasmática do HDL-colesterol foi aumentada em quase todas as dietas, com exceção da dieta com 25% de pectina, que reduziu este nível aos 15 dias, e aos 30 dias o manteve igual ao da dieta- controle; e as dietas do resíduo que proporcionaram redução e manutenção do teor do HDL-colesterol aos 45 dias quando comparada a dieta controle. O LDL-colesterol foi reduzido em todos os tratamentos, principalmente para as dietas contendo pectina.

Apple Pectin and a Polyphenol-Rich Apple Concentrate Are More Effective Together Than Separately on Cecal Fermentations and Plasma Lipids in Rats

To evaluate the effect of apple components on cecal fermentations and lipid metabolism, rats were fed diets containing 5 g/100 g apple pectin (PEC), 10 g/100 g high polyphenol freeze-dried apple (PL) or both (PEC + PL). The cecal pH was slightly acidic (6.49) only in rats fed the PEC + PL diet (controls, 7.02). The cecal short-chain fatty acid pool was enlarged by all the apple fractions, with a peak of 560 micromol in rats fed the PEC + PL diet compared with 189 micromol in controls. Butyrate concentrations were 2-fold greater in rats fed the PL diet than in controls. Substantial concentrations of galacturonate and succinate (approximately 40 mmol/L) were found in the cecum of rats fed the PEC diet and, to a lesser extent, the PEC + PL diet. The PEC + PL diet significantly lowered plasma cholesterol, whereas both the PL and PEC + PL diets lowered plasma triglycerides. Liver cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were lower in rats fed the PEC and PEC + PL diets. Fecal bile acid excretion was markedly reduced, whereas sterol excretion was significantly increased by dietary PEC. Rats fed the PEC and PEC + PL diets also had lower apparent cholesterol absorption than controls (30 compared with 43%). In conclusion, apple pectin and the polyphenol-rich fraction were more effective when fed combined together than when fed separately on large intestine fermentations and lipid metabolism, suggesting interactions between fibers and polyphenols of apple.