Effect of sodium phytate supplementation on fat digestion and cholesterol metabolism in female rats

Summary The effects of sodium phytate supplementation on fat digestion and cholesterol metabolism were investigated in female rats. On the basis of an in vitro experiment showing that phytate raised the solubility of bile acids, it was predicted that phytate feeding would depress faecal bile acid excretion, raise apparent fat digestibility and elevate serum cholesterol concentrations. The experimental diets with or without sodium phytate were either cholesterol‐free or cholesterol‐rich and had a normal calcium concentration. Rats fed on the cholesterol‐rich diet with sodium phytate showed enhanced faecal bile acid excretion, but there was no effect on fat digestibility. In rats fed the cholesterol‐free diets, phytate did neither affect fat digestion nor bile acid excretion. Sodium phytate inclusion in the cholesterol‐rich diet raised serum cholesterol concentrations, but reduced liver cholesterol concentration. Thus, the in vivo data do not agree with the in vitro observations. Both phytate and cholesterol feeding influenced mineral and trace element metabolism. Liver zinc concentrations were raised by phytate feeding. Cholesterol consumption reduced hepatic concentrations of copper, iron and zinc. Both phytate and cholesterol feeding reduced the apparent absorption of calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.