Differential effect of lentil feeding on proteosynthesis rates in the large intestine, liver and muscle of rats.

The aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that the trophic effect of lentil feeding on large intestine results from a stimulation of protein synthesis and to determine whether it interferes with protein metabolism in other splanchnic or peripheral organs. Two groups of growing Sprague Dawley male rats were pair-fed iso-caloric iso-nitrogenous balanced diets containing either cooked lentils (Lens esculenta puyensis) or casein as unique protein source. Protein synthesis rates were measured in vivo, in large intestine, liver and gastrocnemius at the postprandial state.