Intestinal absorption of free oleic acid in the unanesthetized rat: evidence for a saturable component?

The intestinal absorption of free oleic acid at low intraluminal concentrations and the influence of luminal factors on its absorption were studied in the unanesthetized rat. The relationship between oleic acid concentration (30-2500 microM) and its rate of absorptions fitted best to a rectangular hyperbola (y = x/(2.19 + 0.0015x), r = 0.94). Oleic acid's rate of absorption increased as the hydrogen ion and sodium taurocholate concentrations were increased or as the thickness and resistance of the unstirred water layer were diminished or following the addition of lysolecithin. The additions of the artificial detergent Tween-80, or lecithin and linoleic, linolenic and arachidonic acids to the perfusate decreased oleic acid's rate of absorption. It was concluded that oleic acid absorption in this range of concentrations displays apparent saturation kinetics which are due to unstirred layer effects, limited aqueous solubility of oleic acid and possible saturation of cytosol fatty acid binding proteins. Factors which increase oleic acid's protonated concentration or diminish the unstirred layer resistance, enhance its absorption rate, while factors which enhance its micellar solubility or interfere with its transfer out of the cell membrane decrease its overall rate of absorption.