Wheat Bran's Effect on Digestive Enzyme Activity and Bile Acid Levels in Rats

Rats were fed either a fiber‐free control diet or a diet containing 5% wheat bran. After 10 days the total activity of lipase, amylase, trypsin, and chymotrypsin, and total protein were elevated in pancreatic tissue. Activity per mg protein of lipase and amylase was also elevated in the pancreas. However, there were no differences in activity of these enzymes nor in bile acid levels in the small intestine after consuming a meal. Wheat bran may alter pancreatic secretion or absorption of digestion products leading to adaptive changes in the pancreas.