The aim of the project was to investigate the absorption of protein digestion products in a porcine model, both in healthy animals and in pigs with surgically induced exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). The study focused on the quantitative assessment of free amino acids and short-chain peptides (di- and tripeptides) in plasma after a meal. A modified ninhydrin method was used for the determination, which enables the detection of free amino groups.
The repository contains data including: raw absorbance measurements (570 nm) obtained from plasma samples collected at precisely defined time intervals after a meal (Mixed Meal Tolerance Tests, MMTT), calibration data from prepared amino acid standards, normalized values after correction for blank samples and averaging of technical replicates, as well as a summary of free amino acid and peptide concentrations over time. Data were obtained by: (1) collecting blood samples from indwelling venous catheters during MMTT tests, (2) filtering out large proteins using 10 kDa filters, (3) using the ninhydrin reaction to detect free amino groups before and after acid hydrolysis (pH 5.5), (4) spectrophotometric measurements and recording the results in tabular form.
The datasets allow for analysis of the effect of diet type (high-fat, substrate-supplemented diets) and enzyme supplementation (Creon®, microbial amylase) on the kinetics of amino acid and peptide absorption. They can be used in comparative studies, translational dietetics, and to evaluate the effectiveness of enzyme therapy. The results confirm that in pigs, the predominant forms of protein digestion products absorbed are di- and tripeptides, while the proportion of free amino acids in plasma remains limited.
