Caecal and colonic uptake of both linoleic acid and cholesterol in rats following intestinal resection.

Caecal and colonic uptake of both linoleic acid and cholesterol were studied in rats after distal small bowel resection (DSBR). The results showed that the surgical operation increased the caecal and colonic uptake of linoleic acid. Supplementation with linolenic acid inhibited caecal and colonic uptake of linoleic acid. Experiments carried out in the presence of rotenone and ouabain suggest that facilitated diffusion is the predominant mechanism of caecal and colonic linoleic acid absorption, at least at low concentrations. An increase in caecal and colonic uptake of cholesterol was observed after the surgical operation. The study showed that facilitated diffusion seems to be the mechanism of linoleic acid absorption in the caecum and colon, and that both organ growth and changes in transport function of the epithelial cells of caecum and colon appear to be involved in the adaptive response of the bowel to intestinal resection.