title: Dietary pectin stimulates protein metabolism in the digestive tract.
abstract: 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 (13)C 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Zootechnical Department, Domzale, Slovenia. tatjana.pirman@bfro.uni-lj.si
authors.forename: Tatjana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pirman
authors.forename: Marie Claude
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Ribeyre
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mosoni
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rémond
authors.forename: Milka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vrecl
authors.forename: Janez
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salobir
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patureau Mirand
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D010368:Pectins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D011506:Proteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012995:Solubility; D014633:Valine / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D002247:Carbon Isotopes; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D011506:Proteins; D010368:Pectins; D014633:Valine