The uptake of oleic acid by rat small intestine: a comparison of methodologies

The interaction between long-chain and medium-chain lipids during intestinal absorption was examined using several model systems. A decrease in steady-state triolein (LCT) output in thoracic duct lymph after addition of trioctanoin (MCT) to the duodenal infusion confirmed previous studies in unanesthetized rats which demonstrated inhibition of steady-state LCT uptake from the small intestinal lumen by MCT. In slices of everted rat jejunum octanoic acid reduced incorporation into triglyceride and initial uptake of (14)C-labeled oleic acid from micellar solutions. Inhibition of uptake did not occur at 0 degrees C, when triglyceride synthesis was blocked. Incubation of slices at low pH (5.8) or in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide also reduced uptake of oleic acid and its incorporation into triglyceride. However, when everted sacs of jejunum were similarly incubated, octanoate, dimethyl sulfoxide, or low pH caused no inhibition of oleic acid uptake or esterification. The results indicate that the significance of kinetic data describing intestinal fatty acid absorption which were obtained from experiments conducted in vitro is highly questionable, and that suitable models for in vivo uptake kinetics have yet to be developed. However, analysis of the in vitro kinetic data suggests that the intestinal mucosal membrane does not function as a simple lipid interface with respect to fatty acid absorption.