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Pectin Feeding Influences Fecal Bile Acid Excretion, Hepatic Bile Acid and Cholesterol Synthesis and Serum Cholesterol in Rats¹

Research Unit, Hospital of León ^* Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of León, 24071 León, Spain

This study was designed to investigate the effects of pectin on cholesterol and bile acid metabolism and to elucidate the mechanisms involved in its hypolipidemic effect in rats. The key regulatory enzymes in cholesterol and bile acid metabolism, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) and cholesterol 7-hydroxylase, were determined. Circulating, hepatic, and biliary lipid concentrations and fecal bile acid excretion were also measured. Male Wistar rats were fed a fiber-free or a pectin-supplemented (7 g/100 g) diet for 4 wk. Bile flow and the biliary secretion of both bile acids and cholesterol were not significantly different than controls in pectin-fed rats. The addition of pectin to the diet resulted in lower serum and liver cholesterol concentrations (-27 and -17%, respectively). Fecal bile acid excretion (+168%) and the hepatic activity of cholesterol 7-hydroxylase (+70%) were significantly higher in pectin-fed animals. HMG-CoA reductase activity was also significantly greater (+11%) in the presence of dietary pectin. Results of our study indicate that pectin, by enhancing fecal bile acid excretion, may cause increased hepatic synthesis of bile acids and liver depletion of cholesterol in rats, which results in a higher rate of cholesterol synthesis and reduced serum cholesterol concentrations.

KEY WORDS: • cholesterol • bile acids • fiber • pectin • rats

¹ The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. This article must therefore be hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 USC section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.

² To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Departamento de Fisiología, Farmacología y Toxicología, Universidad de León, Campus Universitario, 24071 León, Spain.

Manuscript received 11 September 1995. Revision accepted 25 March 1995.

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