Effects of amidated pectin alone and combined with cholestyramine on cholesterol homeostasis in rats fed a cholesterol-containing diet

The effects of amidated pectin (N-octadecylpectinamide) and cholestyramine on cholesterol homeostasis were compared in female rats fed diets supplemented with cholesterol at 10 g/kg. Amidated pectin and cholestyramine were added at 50 and 20 g/kg, respectively, alone or in combination. Both sorbents, alone or combined, significantly decreased concentrations of cholesterol in the serum and liver. Amidated pectin significantly increased the faecal excretion of neutral sterols, and to a lesser extent also excretion of bile acids. In contrast, cholestyramine significantly increased the faecal excretion of bile acids only. Quantitatively, the greatest faecal output of total sterols was found in rats fed both sorbents, however, the increase was moderate and statistically non-significant in comparison with output of sterols in rats fed amidated pectin alone. In conclusion, amidated pectin and cholestyramine demonstrated a similar cholesterol-lowering effect; however, the modes of action of each agent differ.