Intestinal beneficial effects of kefir-supplemented diet in rats

Kefir is considered to be probiotic, beneficially affecting the host through its effects in the intestinal tract. Despite numerous studies that have examined the actions of probiotics on the host organism, few have analyzed the effects on intestinal enzymes. The aim of this present study is to report data on the effects of kefir on enzymes and proteins present in the intestine. In this study, female rats were fed for 22 days with 2 types of diets, standard and kefir-supplemented. Food intake and body weight were recorded daily. The glucose, uric acid, cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and alkaline phosphatase activity were measured in the serum. Rat body weights were similar in both groups (control and kefir). No significant differences were found in the weight of the organs examined. An intestinal enzymatic analysis was carried out, and the results showed an increase of this activity in addition to the uptake Of D-galactose by brush border membrane vesicles. Glycemia was significantly lower in the kefir group. The present findings indicate that kefir, in the conditions studied, could benefit protein digestion and reduce glycemic index. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.