The effect of pectin and its hydrophobic derivatives on homeostasis of cholesterol and cecal metabolism in rats was investigated. Rats were fed a diet with fat and cholesterol. Experimental rats were fed diet containing pectin or pectinamide. Pectinamideof 30% of amidation increased serum HDL cholesterol and pectinamide of 53% of amidation decreased total serum cholesterol. Amidated pectins decreased hepatic concentrations of cholesterol and fat. The highest cecal concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) were in rats fed a pectin diet. In other groups, cecal SCFA was lower. Both pectinamides increased fecal cholesterol concentration. Hepatic tissue of control and pectin-fed rats was infiltrated with lipids. Thus, hydrophobic amidated pectins altered cholesterol homeostasis in rats and might be considered as effective hypocholesterolemic agents.