Beneficial effects of protease preparations derived from on the colonic luminal environment in rats consuming a high-fat diet.

The present study investigated the effects of the dietary addition of the protease preparations derived from on the colonic luminal environment. Rats were fed a 30% beef tallow diet with or without the protease preparations, including Amano protease (protease A 'Amano SD', neutral proteases from spp.) or orientase (orientase AY, acid proteases from ) at the dose of 0.2% for 3 weeks. Cecal was significantly elevated in the dietary Amano protease group (194-fold, P<0.05), but not in the orientase group. was elevated in the two groups (P<0.05). Cecal -butyrate, propionate and lactate were higher in the Amano protease and orientase groups compared with the controls (P<0.05). Fecal immunoglobulin A and mucins were elevated in the Amano protease group (P<0.05). These results suggest the potential effect of the consumption of -derived protease preparations that are favorable for the colonic luminal environment in rats fed a high-fat diet.