Assessment of fat absorption in normal dogs and in dogs with hyperadrenocorticalism

Fat absorption was determined quantitatively in clinically normal dogs, dogs with confirmed hyperadrenocorticalism before and after treatment with mitotane (op' DDD) and in pruritic dogs before and after administration of prednisolone. Fat absorption was significantly higher (P less than 0.001) in dogs with untreated hyperadrenocorticalism and pruritic dogs on prednisolone therapy than in normal dogs. It was normal in pruritic dogs before prednisolone therapy and approached normality in dogs with treated hyperadrenocorticalism. It is concluded that high circulating cortisol or prednisolone levels result in increased intestinal absorption of dietary fat possibly mediated by increased glucocorticoid induced activity of enterocytes or reduced hepatic clearance of triglycerides.