Effect of beta-cyclodextrin dietary supplementation on biliary proteins and their resulting cholesterol nucleating activity in pigs.

We explored the possibility that the biliary protein fraction may support part of the variation in the nucleating activity previously measured in gallbladder biles of pigs. Eighteen gallbladder aspirates freshly obtained from three dietary groups (0, 5, or 10% beta-cyclodextrin) of six pigs were chromatographed to purify their total protein fraction. Proteins were quantified, and analysed through electrophoresis and immunoblotting or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for albumin, and five putative effectors of cholesterol crystallisation, mucins, immunoglobulin A, 130 kDa, apolipoprotein A-I, and anionic polypeptide fraction. Each total protein fraction was also assayed for its ability to influence cholesterol precipitation, when added to supersaturated model bile. The current data provided evidence that the cholesterol crystallisation-promoting activity of biliary proteins in model biles increased with the beta-cyclodextrin dietary content. This occurred without any significant change in the total biliary protein content, but was associated with a significant decrease in the concentration of albumin and apolipoprotein A-I, resulting in changes in the overall balance of proteins in bile. Comparison of these results with the crystallisation figures previously obtained from the corresponding native biles led us to conclude that biliary proteins might influence the outcome of the crystallisation process, namely the final crystal concentration at equilibrium, but would not systematically represent a major driving force for determining the velocity of crystal formation in native bile of pigs.

Physiological effects of a pea protein isolate in gnotobiotic rats: comparison with a soybean isolate and meat.

Pea proteins have been considered for the introduction into the human diet only recently. This protein source was tested on nutritional and digestive parameters in heteroxenic male Fischer rats inoculated with a human faecal microflora from a methane producer. Compared to soybean proteins, pea proteins have similar effects on the rat's endogenous and bacterial digestive patterns. Compared to the pea proteins, a diet containing a standard meat meal enhanced the pH and the production of ammonia, while a lyophilized beef meat enhanced that of urea. The diet containing the standard meat decreases short-chain fatty acids and modifies the ratio of caecal short-chain fatty acids. Both animal diets decreased the specific activities of pancreatic proteases such as chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1), trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4), and carboxypeptidase A (EC 3.4.17.1) when compared to the diet containing the pea isolate. In conclusion, the whole composition of the diet, more than the origin of the dietary protein, influences the rat's digestive pattern.

Influence of caecal microflora and of two dietary protein levels on the adaptation of the exocrine pancreas: comparative study in germ-free and conventional rats.

Dietary proteins are degraded by both endogenous enzymes and the caecal microflora. In conventional rats the enzyme content of the pancreas depends on the amount of dietary protein. The influence of the caecal microflora on this process is unknown. We report here the effect of the caecal microflora on pancreatic enzymes (proteases, amylase (EC 3.2.1.1), lipase (EC 3.1.1.3)) and on colonic metabolites (NH3, urea, short-chain fatty acids). Germ-free and conventional male Fischer rats were fed for 3 weeks with a diet containing 220 or 450 g protein/kg provided as a mixture of fish concentrate and soyabean isolate. The excretion of NH3 and the pH were specifically increased by the high-protein diet in the germ-free rats. The higher production of isobutyrate, valerate and isovalerate in conventional rats fed on the high-protein diet reflected a high bacterial proteolytic activity since these short-chain fatty acids are specific indicators of this activity. The microflora hydrolysed urea to NH3 and maintained the pH at neutrality whatever the amount of protein in the diet since there were changes in germ-free rats but not in conventional ones. In germ-free rats, amylase, trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4), elastase (EC 3.4.21.36) and carboxypeptidase A (EC 3.4.17.1) specific activities were significantly lower than in conventional rats. The adaptation of the pancreas to the 450 g protein/kg diet was not impaired by the bacterial status except for the specific activity of chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1) which was more increased by this diet in germ-free than in conventional rats. Moreover, the specific activity of lipase increased only in conventional rats fed on the 450 g protein/kg diet. In conclusion, we observed a relationship between the enzyme content of the pancreas and the presence or absence of the caecal microflora suggesting that bacterial fermentation influences pancreatic function.

Role of CCK in the regulation of secretion and adaptation in the pig pancreas.

The effect of cholecystokinin (CCK) on the pancreas was investigated in the pig in two experiments. Fifteen pigs were fed a diet containing 17 or 48% protein with or without MK329 (4.5 mg per meal). MK329 enhanced the postprandial peak of plasma CCK during the first 30 min, but pancreas adaptation to high protein was not affected. Sixteen pigs were divided into two groups: 12 pigs were infused with CCK-8 + secretin for 1 h and four pigs received a standard meal. In both groups, pancreatic secretion tests were performed under infusion of the vehicle alone or with MK329. After CCK + secretin, MK329 (65-500 micrograms/kg/h) did not alter CCK plasma levels and reduced the early pancreatic protein response by about 30%. Enzyme outputs in pancreatic juice were modestly affected by MK329. After the meal, MK329 (500 micrograms/kg/h) doubled the postprandial peak of plasma CCK and lowered the pancreatic protein output by 35-40% for the first 30 min. We suggest that (a) pancreatic adaptation to high dietary protein is not mediated via CCK-A receptors and (b) the stimulation of pancreatic protein secretion by a meal or by exogenous CCK-8 is mediated partly by CCK-A receptors.

Influence of bile salt molecular species on cholesterol crystallization from supersaturated model biles.

Time-sequential enzymatic determination of cholesterol (CH) crystals harvested by ultrafiltration, and concomitant polarizing light microscopy observations corroborated the striking importance of the bile salts (BS) species in determining CH crystals formation rate from supersaturated model biles incubated in vitro. The more hydrophilic tauroursodeoxycholate, taurohyocholate, glycohyocholate, taurohyodeoxycholate, glycohyodeoxycholate and glyco-3 alpha, hydroxy-6 oxo-5 beta-cholanate inhibited CH precipitation through the formation of a stabilized liquid-crystalline phase. In contrast, in all hydrophobic systems (taurine (T) and glycine (G) conjugates of cholate (C), deoxycholate (DC) and chenodeoxycholate (CDC)), CH crystals precipitated with time. When crystallized CH concentrations were plotted vs. time, the figures showed a sigmoidal pattern, consistent with the transition from metastable systems to stable equilibrium states. Over the equilibration period, the nucleation kinetics (as inferred from enzymatic measurements) and all crystallization events (as microscopically observed) were both shifted in time, depending on the BS species: they were earliest in CDC systems, then in DC systems, and finally in C systems. In the latter, the delay was clearly due to the formation of a transient labile liquid-crystalline phase. G-conjugation also induced a significant delay in CH precipitation, compared to T-conjugation. At last, maximum crystallized CH concentrations at equilibrium were in the decreasing order: C > CDC > DC and T-conjugates > G-homologues. All data are discussed in connection with BS hydrophobicities, with predictions from the phase equilibria of aqueous biliary lipid systems and with new insights into CH crystal habits.

Evidence for an apical, nonregulated protein secretion in pig exocrine pancreas.

Secretory proteins are segregated into two pathways out of the trans-Golgi network of regulated secretory cells. To identify proteins specifically secreted by pathways other than the one leading to zymogen granule exocytosis in the exocrine pancreas, conscious permanently cannulated pigs were perfused with atropine to inhibit the regulated fusion of granules. Atropine almost totally inhibited the protein secretion after 1 h of perfusion. The secretion of GP-2, a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-anchored protein of the zymogen granule membrane, was partially inhibited but was never totally abolished by atropine perfusion. The pattern of proteins secreted under atropine was almost totally different. Soluble GP-2 was the major secretory product. Its specific activity increased 60 times over its normal level in all other conditions. This secretion clearly originated from nonregulated pathways. Results suggest that during the atropine block the apical plasmalemma could be the source of the released GP-2 and that the sustained nature of this release is compatible with a replenishment of the plasmalemma with GP-2 by the continuous exocytosis of vesicles from the nonregulated pathways.

Early adaptation of pancreas to a protein-enriched diet: role of cholecystokinin and gastrin-releasing peptide.

Feeding rats a diet containing high levels of protein (as casein) increases the secretion and biosynthesis of pancreatic serine proteases. Cholecystokinin (CCK) presumably plays a role in this process although other GI peptides such as the gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) may be involved. In this article, we describe the kinetics of pancreatic adaptation to a diet containing 45% protein as soybean and fish. Then we report the effect of treatment with either a cholecystokinin-receptor antagonist (MK-329) or a gastrin-releasing peptide-receptor antagonist ([D-F5 Phe6, D-Ala11]-Bn(6-13)OMe, or BIM 26226) on pancreatic adaptation to this diet. Prior to experiments, adult male Fischer rats received a diet containing 22% protein for 1 week. In the first experiment, 48 rats were fed a diet containing 45% protein; they were killed after 0-7 days. In the second experiment, 53 rats were fed the 22- or 45%-protein diet and received three daily injections of either the vehicle alone, MK-329, or BIM 26226 for 7 days before they were killed. When the protein-rich diet was fed for 0-7 days, amylase, in vitro biosynthesis, and mRNA levels were gradually decreased while serine protease biosynthesis was increased, reflecting the general enhancement of chymotrypsinogen, trypsinogen, and elastase mRNA levels. For all these parameters, adaptation leveled off after a 5-day feeding. When the protein diets were fed for 7 days, MK-329 significantly inhibited the adaptation of trypsin (specific activity and mRNA) and elastase (mRNAs) to the 45%-protein diet. BIM 26226 had no effect on pancreatic adaptation to the protein-rich diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Trypsin-dependent production of an antibacterial substance by a human Peptostreptococcus strain in gnotobiotic rats and in vitro.

An antibacterial substance appeared within 1 day in feces of gnotobiotic rats harboring a human intestinal Peptostreptococcus strain. It disappeared when the rat bile-pancreatic duct was ligatured or when the rats ingested a trypsin inhibitor. Anaerobic cultures of the Peptostreptococcus strain in a medium supplemented with trypsin also exhibited an antibacterial activity, which was also inhibited by the trypsin inhibitor. In vitro the antibacterial substance from both feces and culture medium was active against several gram-positive bacteria, including other Peptostreptococcus spp., potentially pathogenic Clostridium spp. such as C. perfringens, C. difficile, C. butyricum, C. septicum, and C. sordellii, Eubacterium spp., Bifidobacterium spp., and Bacillus spp. Whatever the order of inoculation of the strains, a sensitive strain of C. perfringens was eliminated within 1 day from the intestine of rats monoassociated with the Peptostreptococcus strain. These findings demonstrate for the first time that very potent antibacterial substances can be produced through a mechanism involving intestinal bacteria and exocrine pancreatic secretions.

Effects of diets containing casein and rapeseed on enzyme secretion from the exocrine pancreas in the pig.

The effect of dietary protein on enzyme activity of pancreatic juice was studied in ten growing, castrated, Large White male pigs. Animals, fitted with permanent cannulas in the pancreatic duct and in the duodenum, were divided into two groups receiving either casein or rapeseed concentrate as a protein source. After a 15 d adaptation period to the experimental diet, the volume of pancreatic secretion was significantly higher, whereas the protein concentration was lower in the casein group compared with the rapeseed group. No statistical difference was observed in the daily protein output between groups. Total secreted activities of carboxypeptidase A (EC 3.4.17.1), and elastase (EC 3.4.21.36) were higher in the casein group during the nocturnal period, whereas total activities of trypsin (EC 3.4.21.4), chymotrypsin (EC 3.4.21.1), carboxypeptidase B (EC 3.4.17.2) and amylase (EC 3.2.1.1) in pancreatic secretions during the post-prandial periods were increased by the ingestion of the rapeseed diet. It is concluded that the pancreatic enzyme secretion is sensitive to the nature of the protein ingested.

Effects of pancreatic polypeptide on the pancreatic exocrine secretion stimulated by secretin and cholecystokinin in the conscious pig.

Fourteen castrated male Large White pigs, weighing 42.5 +/- 1.0 kg, were fitted with pancreatic and duodenal fistulae for pancreatic secretion studies. Moreover, catheters were placed in a carotid artery for blood sampling and in a jugular vein for peptide infusion. Pancreatic juice was automatically restituted to the animals and continuously sampled for analysis on experimental days. Following an 8-day recovery period, perfusion studies were performed after an overnight fast. After a 30-min basal period, sustained pancreatic flow and protein output were obtained and maintained throughout the assay with secretin (36 pmol/kg/h) and CCK-8 (600 pmol/kg/h) infusion. Then, 200, 400, 600, 800 or 1200 pmol/kg/h of porcine pancreatic polypeptide (PP) were infused for 60 min. Secretin + CCK infusion was continued for 1 h after PP infusion was stopped. Each dose of PP was given on a separate day. Neither pancreatic flow nor bicarbonate output were affected whatever the dose of infused PP. On the contrary, protein concentration and output decreased with the lowest dose of PP (200 pmol/kg/h) and the diminution was more pronounced with the other doses. With 600 pmol/kg/h as well as with 800 and 1200 pmol/kg/h of PP, pancreatic protein output fell to about 20% of values obtained with secretin + CCK. Plasma levels of PP were below or similar to postprandial values for 200, 400 and 600 pmol/kg/h and they were significantly larger with 800 and 1200 pmol/kg/h. Protein concentration and output returned to values obtained with secretin + CCK infusion after cessation of PP infusion. In conclusion, porcine PP given in physiological doses to the pig decreases pancreatic protein output whereas pancreatic flow remains unaffected.

Short-term (8-day) effects of a raw soybean diet on exocrine pancreatic secretion and plasma gastrointestinal hormone levels in the pig.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the short-term (8-day) effects of feeding a raw soybean diet on exocrine pancreatic secretion and the plasma levels of gastrointestinal hormones in pigs. After adaptation to a heated soybean diet, 6 pigs (36.5 +/- 0.8 kg) were fitted with permanent fistulae of the pancreatic duct, the duodenum and a carotid artery. After post-surgical recovery of 8 days, the animals were submitted to two experimental periods, a 4-day period during which they were fed the heated soybean diet and an 8-day period during which they received the raw soybean diet. Exocrine pancreatic secretion and plasma levels of secretin, cholecystokinin, VIP, PP, somatostatin and gastrin were monitored each day of the two experimental periods. On the first day of raw soybean ingestion and till its end, the daily volume of pancreatic juice was higher than the mean volume measured during heated soybean ingestion. On the contrary, daily total protein output was unchanged. Specific activities of chymotrypsin, amylase and lipase were not modified by the raw soybean diet whereas, from the third day of the experimental period, that of trypsin was higher than the corresponding mean value determined during the first experimental period. Plasma levels of secretin and VIP were higher throughout raw soybean ingestion than the corresponding mean levels determined during the first experimental period. The plasma level of cholecystokinin increased only slightly and in the first days of the second experimental period only. The other gastrointestinal hormones studied were slightly (gastrin) or not (somatostatin, PP) affected by raw soybean feeding. It is suggested that feedback control of exocrine pancreatic secretion in pigs was the mechanism involved in the increase of pancreatic juice observed when raw soybean was fed. This volume increase would result from secretin release into the blood.