Absorption and metabolism of lecithin and lysolecithin by intestinal slices

Abstract

1. 1. Intestinal absorption and metabolism of lysolecithin and lecithin has been studied using hamster and rat intestinal slices and inverted sacs, and [ choline- Me- 3H]-[ acyl- 3H]lysolecithin and lecithin as substrates. 2. 2. The physicochemical form of the substrates has been, for lecithin, either a liquid crystalline dispersion in buffer or mixed lecithin-sodium taurodeoxycholate micellar solutions, and for lysolecithin, either a micellar solution in buffer or mixed lysolecithin-sodium taurodeoxycholate micellar solution. The classification of the physicochemical form of the substrates has been derived from their behaviour on gel filtration. 3. 3. Lysolecithin is well absorbed and metabolized mainly to lecithin. 4. 4. The uptake and metabolism of lysolecithin is not influenced by the presence of sodium taurodeoxycholate in the medium. 5. 5. The absorption and metabolism of lysolecithin is the same in slices from all levels of the small intestine except the most distal part. 6. 6. No definite evidence could be obtained that lecithin is absorbed intact.