Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of action of pectin as an extract (from apple) and as a major part of fruit pulp (mango) on plasma lipids and bile acids (BA). Pigs were used as a model for humans, and were divided into three groups (n = 10) fed a Control, pectin extract (Pectin) or mango pulp (Mango) diet for 28 d. Plasma samples were taken at the beginning (D0) and at days 15 (D15) and 28 (D28) when digesta samples were also collected from different segments of the small intestine. At D28, compared to the Control, Pectin significantly decreased plasma total cholesterol (TC, 18.0%, P < 0.01) and LDL-C (17.2%, P < 0.05) and increased total BA (TBA; 4.1 mu mol/L; P < 0.05). Mango decreased TC (9.5%, P < 0.05). Pectin significantly increased intestinal TBA (P < 0.01), decreased total neutral sterols (TNS) including cholesterol (P < 0.05), decreased fatty acid digestibility (P < 0.01) and decreased plasma triglycerides (TG, 28.5%, P < 0.01). However, Mango significantly increased plasma TG (31.1% P < 0.05) and intestinal TNS (P < 0.05). The increases in intestinal and plasma TBA with the Pectin but not Mango, suggests that the mechanism(s) by which pectin-rich components cause plasma TC, LDL-C and TG reduction differ for soluble and particulate forms. Furthermore, the prebiotic properties of both forms of pectin were shown to include changes in the BA profiles, with significant increases in the therapeutic BA, ursodesoxycholic acid (UDCA).
