Soybean amplifies the hypohomocysteinemic effect of betaine and improves its hypercholesterolemic effect.

We examined whether soybean (SB) and soy protein isolate (SPI) can prevent the betaine-induced elevation of plasma cholesterol as well as maintain the betaine-induced reduction of plasma Hcy concentration. Rats were fed casein-, SB-, or SPI-based diet with or without betaine; SPI-based diet with betaine containing soybean fiber (SF) or soy lecithin (SL) or the combination of SF and SL. Plasma Hcy concentration was decreased by feeding betaine to rats fed the casein-, SB-, and SPI-based diets. Betaine-induced elevation of plasma cholesterol was decreased by feeding the SB-based diet compared with the casein-based diet, but was not decreased by feeding the SPI-based diet. In rats fed the SPI-based diet, the increased concentration of plasma cholesterol by betaine feeding was not prevented by independent addition of SL or SF, but was prevented by a combination of SL and SF, and was associated with increased fecal excretion of bile acids.

Hydroxypropylation of high-amylose maize starch changes digestion and fermentation-dependent parameters in rats.

It was examined whether the physiological effects of high-amylose maize starch (HAMS) are influenced by hydroxypropylation. Rats were fed one of the following three diets: an AIN-93-based diet with waxy maize starch (WMS) as a starch source, or this diet with 150 g of WMS replaced by either HAMS or hydroxypropylated HAMS (HP-HAMS). The activities of amylase in bile-pancreatic juice and sucrose, maltase and isomaltase of the jejunum and ileum were not affected by diet, but the digestibility of HAMS was decreased by hydroxypropylation. The amounts of SCFA in caecal content and H2 excreted in the breath and flatus for HAMS were decreased by hydroxypropylation. Plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucose and insulin concentrations were not affected by diet. On the basis of PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) profiles, the similarity in caecal bacteria population of the HP-HAMS group and HAMS group was low, but that of the HP-HAMS and WMS groups was high. The amount of caecal IgA was not affected by hydroxypropylation, but those in the HAMS and HP-HAMS groups were greater than that in the WMS group. Plasma and liver concentrations of TAG and cholesterol for HAMS were not affected by hydroxypropylation. These results show that the small intestinal digestibility and fermentation-dependent parameters such as caecal SCFA and H2 productions and caecal bacterial profile of HAMS were affected by hydroxypropylation, but parameters of glucose metabolism such as GLP-1 and insulin, those of lipid metabolism such as plasma TAG and cholesterol and the amount of caecal IgA were not.

Lipid metabolism of orchiectomised rats was affected by fructose ingestion and the amount of ingested fructose.

We examined whether lipid metabolism in orchiectomised (ORX) rats was affected by fructose ingestion and the amount of ingested fructose. Sucrose was used as a fructose source. Sham-operated and ORX rats were fed one of the following three diets for 28 d: a maize starch-based diet without sucrose (SU0), a diet by which half or all of maize starch was replaced by sucrose (SU50 or SU100). Body-weight gain and food intake were increased by sucrose ingestion, but decreased by ORX. Plasma total cholesterol concentration was increased by ORX and dose-dependently by sucrose ingestion. Plasma TAG concentration was decreased by ORX, but was increased dose-dependently by sucrose ingestion. Plasma insulin concentration was decreased by ORX, but was not affected by sucrose ingestion. Liver TAG was increased by sucrose ingestion and ORX; however, liver cholesterol concentration was not affected by sucrose ingestion and ORX. The hepatic activity of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase 1 was not affected by sucrose ingestion and ORX; however, faecal excretion of bile acids was decreased. The mRNA level of microsomal TAG transfer protein, which is the gene related to hepatic VLDL production, was increased by ORX and sucrose ingestion. The mRNA level of uncoupling protein-1 was decreased by ORX, but not by sucrose ingestion. Plasma insulin concentration tended to correlate with the level of sterol-regulatory element-binding protein-1c mRNA (r 0·747, P = 0·088). These results show that lipid metabolism in ORX rats would be affected by the consumption of fructose-rich sweeteners such as sucrose and high-fructose syrup.

Degradation of pectin in the caecum contributes to bioavailability of iron in rats.

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of pectin on Fe bioavailability in ileorectomised rats or caecectomised rats. In Expt 1, rats were divided into the following two groups: ileorectomised rats fed a fibre-free diet (FF diet) and ileorectomised rats fed a FF diet supplemented with 5 % (w/w) pectin (pectin diet). Apparent Fe absorption in ileorectomised rats fed the pectin diet was significantly lower compared with ileorectomised rats fed the FF diet. In Expt 2, caecectomised rats and sham-operated rats were given one of the following diets for 3 weeks: diet containing ferrous iron (FeII diet), diet containing pectin at 50 g/kg diet (pectin diet) and diet containing a mixture of FeII and product prepared by the enzymatic degradation of pectin (FeII-OGA diet), which were presumed to be oligomers of galacturonic acid. The Fe content of these diets was 7·6, 8·1 and 7·7 mg/kg diet, respectively. The bioavailability of Fe in rats fed the FeII diet was not affected by caecectomy. In contrast, in rats fed the pectin diet, where Fe bound to pectin was the only Fe source, Hb gain and Hb regeneration efficiency were significantly decreased by caecectomy. The bioavailability of Fe from the FeII-OGA complex was not affected by caecectomy. These results suggest that Fe in pectin might be released by microbial degradation and subsequently made available for absorption in the large intestine, although pectin might decrease Fe absorption in the small intestine.

Hypocholesterolaemic effect of water-insoluble fish protein from Alaska pollock in ovariectomised rats is not abolished by methionine addition.

The present study investigated whether the hypocholesterolaemic effect of water-insoluble fish protein (IFP) from Alaska pollock in ovariectomised (OVX) rats was affected by methionine (Met) addition. OVX rats (6 months old) were fed a cholesterol-free diet containing casein, IFP or IFP+Met as a protein source for 28 d. The ratio of Met:glycine was lower in the IFP and IFP+Met diets compared with the casein diet. Body-weight gain, food intake and liver lipids were not affected by the diet. Plasma total cholesterol concentration was lower in OVX rats fed the IFP diet compared with those fed the casein diet. The hypocholesterolaemic effect of the IFP diet was not abolished by Met addition. Amount of bile acids in the small-intestinal content and faecal excretion of bile acids were higher in OVX rats fed the IFP and IFP+Met diets compared with those fed the casein diet. Ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT) mRNA level and faecal excretion of bile acids were significantly lower and higher, respectively, in OVX rats fed the IFP diet compared with those fed the casein diet, but not in those fed the IFP+Met diet. Thus, the hypocholesterolaemic effect of the IFP diet seems to be mediated by increased faecal excretion of bile acids coupled with decreased reabsorption of bile acids from the ileum through a decrease in IBAT and the change in cholesterol metabolism linked to the amino acid profile.

Iron bound to pectin is utilised by rats.

In the present in vitro study, the effects of pH and ionic strength on the release of iron from pectin and the ability of pectin to reduce ferric iron to ferrous iron were examined. The bioavailability of Fe bound to pectin was evaluated in rats. The amount of Fe released from pectin was at a maximum at pH 2·0 and decreased as the pH value increased. At pH 2·0, the amount of Fe released from pectin increased as the ion length increased; at pH 5·0, ion length had no effect on pectin release. Pectin effectively reduced Fe from the ferric form to the ferrous form. In rats fed a pectin diet, where Fe bound to pectin was the only Fe source, the final Hb concentration using diets containing 4·4-5·7, 7·2 or 11·5 mg Fe/kg diet was equal to the concentration in rats fed diets containing 4·5, 7·6 or 13·5 mg ferrous iron/kg diet, respectively. Hb regeneration efficiencies in rats fed pectin diets were significantly different from rats fed a diet containing 13·5 mg ferrous iron/kg diet. In rats fed a diet with or without pectin, where ferric iron was the only Fe source, pectin increased the final Hb concentration. These results suggest that Fe bound to pectin is utilised by rats.

Fast-twitch muscle hypertrophy partly induces lipid accumulation inhibition with Alaska pollack protein intake in rats.

Fish protein is a source of animal protein that is consumed worldwide. Although it has been reported that the intake of Alaska pollack protein (APP) reduces serum triglyceride and body fat accumulation in rats, the mechanisms underlying these effects are poorly understood. In the present study, we fed 5-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats a high-fat diet with APP or casein for 4 weeks. We reconfirmed that the intake of APP decreases serum triglycerides and inhibits visceral body fat accumulation in rats. We found that APP had a higher non-digestive protein content than casein, and the amount of protein in feces was higher in the APP group than in the casein group. However, the amount of total lipids in feces did not differ significantly between the groups. We also found that the gastrocnemius muscle, a fast-twitch muscle, tended to increase in weight, and that the epididymal fat weight correlated negatively with gastrocnemius muscle weight in the APP group. These results imply that the enhancement of basal energy expenditure by fast-twitch muscle hypertrophy, rather than the enhancement of lipid excretion via feces, partly causes APP-induced inhibition of lipid accumulation in rats.

The effect of high-amylose cornstarch on lipid metabolism in OVX rats is affected by fructose feeding.

We examined whether the effects of high-amylose cornstarch (HACS) on lipid metabolism in ovariectomized (OVX) rats were affected by high-fructose feeding. Sucrose (482 g/kg diet) was used as fructose source. OVX rats were fed one of the following four diets for 21 days: a sucrose-based or cornstarch-based cholesterol-free diet with or without HACS (150 g/kg diet). Body weight and food intake were increased by sucrose. Plasma total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were increased by sucrose and decreased by HACS in cornstarch-fed rats, but not in sucrose-fed rats. Liver total lipids and concentrations of plasma and liver triacylglycerol (TAG) were increased by sucrose, whereas plasma TAG concentration was decreased by HACS, in sucrose-fed rats. However, liver cholesterol concentration was not affected by diet. The amount of cholesterol in small-intestinal contents was increased in sucrose-fed rats, but not in cornstarch-fed rats, but that of bile acids was not affected by diet. Fecal excretions of bile acids and neutral sterols were increased by HACS. The level of sterol-regulatory element-binding protein-1c mRNA was increased by sucrose and decreased by HACS in sucrose-fed rats, but not in cornstarch-fed rats. The level of farnesoid X receptor mRNA was decreased by sucrose and increased by HACS in cornstarch-fed rats, but not in sucrose-fed rats, as was the level of cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase mRNA. These results show that the effect of HACS on hyperlipidemia induced by ovarian hormone deficiency would be affected by the consumption of fructose-rich sweeteners such as sucrose and high-fructose syrup.

Hydroxypropylated tapioca starch retards the development of insulin resistance in KKAy mice, a type 2 diabetes model, fed a high-fat diet.

The hypoglycemic and antidiabetic effect of hydroxypropyl tapioca starch (HPTS, degree of substitution = 0.180) was investigated in male KKAy mice. Mice were fed a purified high-fat (20%) diet without or with HPTS (5% or 10%) for 33 d. Gelatinized tapioca starch (TS) was used as a reference. Fasting blood glucose concentrations, days 14 and 28, were significantly lower in the 10% HPTS group compared with the reference. In an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), day 28, blood glucose concentrations in the 5% HPTS group, at 60, 90, and 120 min, and in the 10% HPTS group, at 30, 60, and 90 min after oral administration of glucose, were significantly lower compared with the reference. The area under the glucose curve (AUC) for glucose in both HPTS groups was significantly lower compared with the reference. Energy intake was significantly lower in the 10% HPTS group compared with the reference. At the end of the experiment, adiponectin concentrations were significantly higher in the 10% HPTS group compared with the reference. A homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) tended to be lower in the 10% HPTS group compared with the reference, whereas a quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) was significantly higher in both HPTS groups compared with the reference. These results show that HPTS retards the development of insulin resistance in KKAy mice fed a high-fat diet.

The mechanism of the cholesterol-lowering effect of water-insoluble fish protein in ovariectomised rats.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether water-insoluble fish protein (IFP) from Alaska pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) prevents hypercholesterolaemia induced by ovarian hormone deficiency. Wistar female rats, aged 6 months, were subjected to sham-operation or ovariectomy, and fed a cholesterol-free diet containing casein or IPF as a protein source for 28 d. Body-weight gain and food intake increased in the ovariectomised rats as compared with the sham-operated rats. Plasma total cholesterol concentration was decreased and faecal bile acid excretion was increased by IFP in the ovariectomised rats, but not in the sham-operated rats. Plasma homocysteine concentration was decreased by IFP in the ovariectomised rats, but not in the sham-operated rats. Liver lipids and liver cholesterol concentrations were increased and cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) activity was decreased by ovariectomy, but not by diet. Bile acid content and the ratio of cholic acid groups to chenodeoxycholic acid groups in bile were increased by ovariectomy, but decreased by IFP. Bile acid content in the small intestine was increased by IFP in the ovariectomised rats, but not in the sham-operated rats. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase and microsomal TAG transfer protein mRNA levels were decreased by ovariectomy and IFP, whereas LDL-receptor mRNA level was decreased by ovariectomy but unaffected by diet. Thus, the preventive effect of IFP on the ovarian hormone deficiency-associated increase in plasma cholesterol concentration seems to be mediated by accelerated faecal excretion of bile acids, coupled with an increase in the intestinal pool of bile acids.

Hypolipidaemic effect of maize starch with different amylose content in ovariectomized rats depends on intake amount of resistant starch.

The effect of amylose content on digestibility of starch in the small intestine and on the concentration of plasma lipid were studied in ileorectostomized rats and in ovariectomized rats, respectively. Seven kinds of starch with different amylose content (0, 27, 54, 62, 76, 79, 86 %) were used as test starch, which contained 0.4, 5.6, 37.1, 40.2, 45.6, 36.9 and 36.1 % resistant starch (RS), respectively. Rats were fed one of test diets containing 30 % test starch with different amylose content for 14 d in ileorectostomized and for 21 d in ovariectomized rats. Food intake was not significantly different among the groups. In ileorectostomized rats, the small intestinal starch digestibility decreased with increasing intakes of amylose and RS. In ovariectomized rats, body weight gain was lower on the higher amylose maize starch diets. The concentrations of plasma TAG and cholesterol decreased with increasing intake of RS. The concentrations of liver total lipids and TAG decreased with increasing intake of RS, but that of liver cholesterol did not. There was significant positive correlation between the level of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c mRNA and concentration of liver TAG. Total SCFA amount in the caecum increased logarithmically with increasing dry weight of caecal contents. The amount of bile acids in the small intestinal content and the excretions of bile acids and neutral steroids in faeces increased with increasing RS intake. These results show that starch rich in RS is more effective in preventing ovarian hormone deficiency-induced hyperlipidaemia.

Dietary soy isoflavone-aglycone lowers food intake in female rats with and without ovariectomy.

OBJECTIVE: Estrogens downregulate eating behavior, and soy isoflavones are known to be estrogenic agents. We aimed to examine whether the estrogenic property of soy isoflavones can affect food intake and body weight. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Seven-week-old male, female, and ovariectomized (OVX) Sprague-Dawley rats were given free access to a diet containing 100-300 mg total isoflavone/kg diet, or to a control diet, either with or without concurrent administration of estradiol by subcutaneous implantation. RESULTS: Dietary soy isoflavone was shown to lower food intake in female rats, whether or not the animals had undergone ovariectomy. Administration of estradiol lowered the food intake in male rats and in OVX female rats. The decrease in weekly food intake in female rats led to a reduction in their weekly gain in body weight. Dietary soy isoflavone significantly increased the concentration of serum isoflavones, especially equol (a metabolite of daidzein), regardless of gender or ovariectomy. Dietary soy isoflavone did not affect either serum estradiol concentration or uterine and didymus weights, but estradiol administration improved the uterine atrophy in OVX rats, and decreased the didymus weight in male rats. DISCUSSION: Soy isoflavone lowers the food intake in female rats, but not in the male animals. Contrary to the hypothesis currently in vogue, the reduction in food intake caused by soy isoflavone may not be a purely estrogenic effect. This follows from the finding that the effects of soy isoflavones on food intake and on the reproductive organs differ from the corresponding effects produced by estrogen.

Protease-resistant fraction of smoked, dried bonito alleviates atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.

The effect of smoke-dried bonito undigested fraction remaining after microbial protease treatment (SDBR) on a spontaneously occurring mouse model of atopic dermatitis was studied in male 5-wk-old, NC/Nga mice. Smoke-dried bonito, Katsuobushi, is a traditional Japanese food. SDBR contains 2 major components: bonito oil and protease-undigested proteins. Mice were fed a casein diet containing corn oil (C diet) or a diet containing SDBR (SDBR diet) for 18 wk. In comparison with the C diet, the SDBR diet alleviated the increase in skin severity score and plasma IgE concentration in a time-dependent manner, and lowered leucotriene B(4) (LTB(4))-releasing ability upon calcium ionophore A23187 stimulation. The SDBR diet did not affect scratching time. These results demonstrate that SDBR diet alleviates atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice.

Hypocholesterolemic effect of katsuobushi, smoke-dried bonito, prevents ovarian hormone deficiency-induced hypercholesterolemia.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether katsuobushi, smoked-dried bonito (KB), which is a traditional Japanese food, prevents ovarian hormone deficiency-induced hypercholesterolemia. In experiment 1, ovariectomized rats (OVX-rats) were fed a purified diet containing casein or KB. Compared with the casein diet, the KB diet reduced the plasma cholesterol concentration and apparent protein digestibility, and increased the fecal dry weight and fecal bile acid excretion. In experiment 2, OVX-rats were fed one of the following four diets: casein diet containing corn oil or fish oil (CA/CO or CA/FO), or a diet containing the digested or undigested fraction of KB after treatment with microbial protease (KBE or KBR). KBR contains mainly two components: oil and protease-undigested protein of KB origin. In comparison with the CA/CO diet, the KBE diet did not affect the plasma and liver lipids concentrations, apparent protein digestibility nor fecal bile acid excretion. However, the KBR and CA/FO diets reduced the plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol (TAG) concentrations and the liver total lipid and TAG concentrations, but increased the liver total and esterified cholesterol concentrations. The KBR diet increased fecal bile acid excretion and fecal dry weight, whereas the CA/FO diet did not. Thus, the preventive effect of KB on the ovarian hormone deficiency-associated increase in plasma cholesterol concentration appears to be mediated by an increase in bile acid excretion through a promoted secretion of bile acids by the binding of bile acids to resistant proteins.

Inhibitory effects of soy isoflavones on cardiovascular collagen accumulation in rats.

Oxidative stress is a major cause of cardiovascular tissue fibrosis. We evaluated the effects of daily doses of soy isoflavones, genistein and daidzein on cardiovascular tissue fibrosis in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) diabetic rats and Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) non-diabetic rats as a severe or mild oxidative stress model, respectively. Glucose and lipid metabolisms did not improve with genistein or daidzein treatment. However, genistein decreased hydroxyproline concentrations in the heart. Hydroxyproline reductions as a result of genistein were mildly stronger than those of daidzein. Thus, genistein significantly suppressed the progression of myocardial fibrosis in LETO rats despite the insignificant changes in OLETF rats. Although a daily dosage of isoflavone was not sufficient to prevent tissue fibrosis under marked oxidative stress in the early stage of diabetes, isoflavones might promise significant clinical benefits by reducing oxidative stress in the heart during aging.

Dietary habits and nutrient intake in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

OBJECTIVE: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the most important emerging health issues. Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome play a central role in the pathogenesis of NASH. Intake of nutrients strongly affects insulin resistance, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and hepatic steatosis. However, there are few reports about the intake of various nutrients in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In this work, we identified the characteristics of dietary habits and nutrient intake in patients with NASH. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with NASH and 18 with simple steatosis (FL) were diagnosed from histologic findings, and their dietary habits and intake of nutrients were analyzed by detailed questioning by physicians and dieticians. RESULTS: There was an excess intake of carbohydrates/energy in patients with NASH 20-59 y of age compared with patients with FL. Among carbohydrates, intake of simple carbohydrates was higher in those with NASH. There also was a low intake of protein/energy in patients with NASH 40-59 y of age and a low intake of zinc in those 20-59 y of age compared with patients with FL. Ratio of intake of polyunsaturated fatty acid to saturated fatty acid was lower in patients with NASH and those with FL compared with the general Japanese subjects. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that imbalanced diets play important roles in development and progression of NASH and correction of these diets may be necessary in patients with NASH.

Hypocholesterolemic effects of microbial protease-resistant fraction of Katsuobushi in ovariectomized rats depend on the both oil and undigested protein.

The purpose of this study was to examine which component in the microbial protease-resistant fraction of Katsuobushi (KBR), smoke-dried bonito, is hypocholesterolemic in ovariectomized rats (OVX-rats). KBR contains two major components: oil and protease-resistant protein. Oil extracted from KBR (EX) was rich in palmitic, oleic and docosahexaenoic acids. OVX-rats were fed one of the following diets for 28 d: diets containing casein as the protein source (C or C+EX diet), a diet containing KBR as the protein source (KBR diet) or diets containing degreased KBR as the protein source (DF/KBR or DF/KBR+EX diet). The C and DF/KBR diets contained soybean oil as the oil source. In the C+EX, KBR and DF/KBR+EX diets, soybean oil was replaced by oil extracted from KBR (EX). Plasma total- and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations in the C+EX, KBR and DF/KBR+EX groups, but not in the DF/KBR group, were significantly lower than that in the C group. Fecal bile acid excretion was significantly greater in the C+EX, KBR, DF/KBR and DF/KBR+EX groups in comparison to the C group, whereas excretion in the KBR and DF/KBR+EX groups was significantly greater than in the C+EX and DF/KBR groups. Cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase activity was higher in the C+EX, KBR, DF/KBR and DF/KBR+EX groups than the C group. In OVX-rats fed C, C+EX or KBR for 28 d, bile acid flux into the small intestine increased in KBR and C+EX groups in comparison to the C group. The hypocholesterolemic effect of KBR in OVX-rats reflected in increased fecal bile acid excretion may be mediated by increased bile acid flux caused by EX and the binding of bile acids by protease-resistant proteins.

Lowering effect of an isoflavone-rich fermented soybean extract on the serum cholesterol concentrations in female rats, with or without ovariectomy, but not in male rats.

We examined the effect of administering an isoflavone-rich fermented soybean extract (FSBE) on the serum cholesterol concentrations in male rats and in intact and ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. Dietary FSBE decreased the serum cholesterol concentrations in intact female and OVX rats, but did not affect the concentrations in male rats. Dietary FSBE increased the hepatic total and esterified cholesterol contents in the intact female rats, but decreased them in the OVX rats. This hypocholesterolemic effect was not a simple estrogenic effect because it has appeared in some reports that estrogen administration decreased serum cholesterol both male and female rats. Dietary FSBE increased the hepatic low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene expression in the intact female rats as has previously been reported from many studies, but did not affect that of the OVX rats. Further investigation is needed into the hypocholesterolemic mechanism of FSBE.

Retrograded tapioca starch prevents ovarian hormone deficiency-induced hypercholesterolemia.

The purpose of this study was to examine whether retrograded tapioca starch (RS3-tapioca) prevents ovarian hormone deficiency-induced hypercholesterolemia. Six-month-old Wistar female rats were subjected to sham-operation or ovariectomy, and fed a cholesterol-free purified diet with or without RS3-tapioca (150 g/kg diet) instead of digestible cornstarch for 28 d. Body weight gain and food intake increased in ovariectomized rats (OVX-rats). Plasma total cholesterol concentration was lowered by RS3-tapioca in OVX rats, but not in sham-operated rats. Liver lipids increased in OVX-rats, but liver cholesterol concentration was not affected by ovariectomy and RS3-tapioca. CYP7A1 activity, small intestinal and cecal bile acid content, and fecal bile acid excretion were increased by RS3-tapioca. The ratio of cholic acid groups to chenodeoxycholic acid groups in the bile acid of the small intestine was increased by RS3-tapioca. Thus, the preventive effect of RS3-tapioca on the ovarian hormone deficiency-associated increase in plasma cholesterol concentration appears to be mediated by accelerated fecal excretion of bile acid and an increase in the intestinal pool of bile acid.

Difructose anhydride III does not contribute to body energy accumulation in rats.

We evaluated the body energy accumulation as fat and protein from ingestion of difructose anhydride III (DFAIII). Male Wistar rats were fed 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 g per d of sucrose or DFAIII added to a 7 g of basal diet for 20 d. Supplements of DFAIII did not increase whole body or peripheral fat or total body energy, whereas sucrose increased them in a dose-dependent manner. Dose-dependent increases in body water were observed in both groups. The body protein was influenced by the dose of sugars. The estimated available energy value of DFAIII was 0.263 kcal per gram; this value is one-fifteenth that of sucrose. Ingestion of DFAIII dose-dependently increased the cecal SCFA pool. DFAIII was not detected in feces, showing complete degradation of DFAIII in the intestine. These results indicate that DFAIII is a fermentable saccharide with quite low available energy for fat accumulation.