Effects of orange and apple pectin on cholesterol concentration in serum, liver and faeces

To investigate the effects of pectin on cholesterol metabolism, normal rats were fed for three weeks a diet containing 2.5 or 5 % apple or orange pectin, or without pectin (control). Cholesterol concentrations were determined in faeces after 1, 2 and 3 weeks of treatment, and in liver and serum at the end of the experimental trials. Cholesterol concentration in faeces showed a significant increase by week 3 in rats fed 5 % orange or apple pectin. Hepatic cholesterol concentration declined significantly in all pectin-fed groups. Serum cholesterol only declined significantly in apple-fed groups. The decrease of cholesterol levels in liver and serum, and its increase in faeces could explain the beneficial effect of including these fibers in the diet to prevent some nowadays very frequent diseases.