Effect of Pectin, a Hypocholesterolemic Polysaccharide, on Vitamin A Utilization in the Rat

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Abstract
To study the effects of dietary pectin on the utilization of vitamin A and carotene, rats were fed either a ground cube diet or a semipurified casein-sucrose diet, supplemented with either cholesterol, pectin or both. Pectin was hypocholesterolemic when the diet contained cholesterol, and was without effect in a cholesterol-free diet. The hypocholesterolemic properties were demonstrated without the adverse effect of limiting the absorption of vitamin A or utilization of the provitamin β-carotene. The data suggest a mechanism of action different from that of cholestyramine.