Neurotensin stimulates [3H]oleic acid translocation across rat small intestine

The effect of neurotensin (NT) on the translocation of intraluminally administered lipid across the duodenum as well as across the entire length of the small intestine was studied in the rat. In the first series of experiments, the appearance in the lymph of [3H]oleic acid instilled as a bolus into a segment of the duodenum was followed for 3 h. Infusion of NT (0.6 pmol X kg-1 X min-1) via the superior mesenteric artery resulted in a significant increase in the appearance of label in the lymph when compared with saline infusion (17.3 +/- 3.1 vs. 8.6 +/- 1.4%, P less than 0.01, respectively). In the second series of experiments, lipid was infused into the entire length of the small intestine over 4 h, and the accumulation of label in the lymph was measured. The infusion of NT (1.0 pmol X kg-1 X min-1) into the femoral vein also significantly increased the appearance of label when compared with animals infused with saline (49.0 +/- 2.0 vs. 34.2 +/- 5.2%, P less than 0.05, respectively). In this study, the specific activity of the triglyceride recovered in the lymph was higher in the rats given NT than in the controls (P less than 0.05). No significant changes in lymph flow were observed as a consequence of NT infusion. These results indicate that NT infusion into the circulation increases the translocation of oleic acid from the intestinal lumen into the lymph of rats.