Effect of dietary green gram trypsin inhibitor and raw green gram meal (Phaseolus aureus Roxb) on the pancreatic activity in rats.

To evaluate the effect of green gram trypsin inhibitor (GGTI) and raw green gram meal (RGG) the experimental animals were fed with the following diets: (i) AGG meal-control (autoclaved green gram meal), (ii) RGG meal and (iii) AGG meal + 1% GGTI. Pancreatic enlargement was observed in rats fed RGG diet and AGG + GGTI diet. Elevated levels of protease and amylase were observed in pancreas. Intestinal contents showed no significant variation in the protease activity, but a significant variation in the amylase activity was evident. Total RNA, DNA and protein content were increased in the pancreas of group II and group III set of animals, suggesting an active proliferation of acinar cells. RNA and DNA content per unit weight of pancreas and the RNA/DNA ratio remained almost constant indicating the hyperplasia. Histological studies revealed hyperplasia of the acinar cells. The results obtained have been discussed.