To test the hypothesis that inhibition of intestine transit and protein absorption depends on the soy protein load and its degree of hydrolysis, researchers compared intestinal transit and protein absorption in dogs with duodenal and mid-intestinal fistulas. The research showed that soy protein inhibited intestinal transit more in the intact than the hydrolyzed form. They also demonstrated that more of the protein was absorbed in the proximal half of the small intestine when soy protein was delivered in the hydrolyzed than intact form. The efficiency of protein absorption was maintained at relatively constant level of 82.6 to 87.4 percent for intact soy protein and 89.0 to 92.3 percent for hydrolyzed soy protein. The researchers concluded that in dogs intestinal transit and absorption of soy protein depended on the protein load and degree of protein hydrolysis.
Zhao, X.T. and co-workers. 1997. Intestinal transit and absorption of soy protein in dogs depend on load and degree of protein hydrolysis. J. Nutrition. 127(12):2350-2356.
