Response of hormones modulating plasma cholesterol to dietary casein or soy protein in minipigs

To elucidate the mechanism mediating the effect of dietary casein or soy protein on serum cholesterol concentrations we followed the endocrine response to the intake of these dietary proteins. The hormones analyzed were those known to modulate serum cholesterol concentration. A 7-wk crossover nutrition study was performed with six adult Göttingen minipigs consuming semisynthetic diets based on either 20 wt% casein or soy isolate. At d 42 and 49, concentrations of six hormones were determined in 22 blood samples taken over the whole day. There were no significant differences in insulin, glucagon, the insulin/glucagon ratio, hydrocortisone or triiodothyronine among dietary groups. In the late postprandial phase (5 h after the meal and later) there were significantly higher growth hormone concentrations in soy-fed animals. At all times of the day, total and free thyroxine concentrations were higher after soy feeding than after casein feeding. On average, total and free thyroxine concentrations were 34 and 26% higher with soy protein feeding than with casein feeding. Our data agree with other reports of protein-dependent changes of thyroid hormones and may explain why different dietary proteins have different effects on serum cholesterol levels in sensitive species.