In vitro clearance of chylomicron triglycerides containing (omega-3) eicosapentaenoate

Rat mesenteric lymph chylomicrons, containing triglycerides enriched with either [14C]oleic acid or [14C]eicosapentaenoic acid, were prepared by ultracentrifugation of lymph samples collected for 6 h after a single duodenal infusion of an emulsion containing 0.3 mmol of either fatty acid. After determination of protein and of total fatty acid content and composition, enriched chylomicrons were suspended in Krebs-bicarbonate buffer. Non-working hearts were perfused in a recirculating system for 45 min using the enriched chylomicron preparations. At 15 min intervals during perfusion, the media were assayed for total radioactivity, 14CO2 and 14C-labeled fatty acids associated with triglycerides, unesterified fatty acids, phospholipids, mono- and diglycerides. After perfusion, the hearts were extracted and assayed for total lipid radioactivity and isotope distribution among heart lipid fractions. With this membrane-supported lipoprotein lipase system, clearances of chylomicron triglycerides containing either fatty acid were identical, as were the myocardial uptakes of the fatty acids and oxidations to 14CO2. Furthermore, except for a significantly greater incorporation of eicosapentaenoate into myocardial phospholipids, tissue isotope distributions of the two labeled fatty acids were also the same. These studies suggest that at least the initial phases of peripheral clearance of chylomicrons enriched in omega-3 fatty acids is as efficient as with those containing oleate.