Metabolism of orally administered rac-1-O-[1'-14C]dodecylglycerol and nutritional effects of dietary rac-1-O-dodecylglycerol in mice.

The metabolism of orally administered rac-1-O-[1'-14C]dodecylglycerol was investigated in mice. The substrate was rapidly absorbed in the intestine and then incorporated into ether glycerolipids of various organs and tissues in high proportions. In intestine and liver, however, large amounts of rac-1-O-[1'-14C]dodecylglycerol were catabolized by oxidative cleavage of the ether bond followed by degradation of the radioactive cleavage product, i.e., lauric acid, to water-soluble metabolites that were excreted in the urine at a fast rate. The feeding of a rac-1-O-dodecylglycerol-containing diet (1 g rac-1-O-dodecylglycerol/kg body weight X day) given over a period of 4 weeks did not significantly alter body weights or organ weights of mice. Analysis of total lipids revealed that high proportions of the substrate were incorporated into ether lipids of all organs and tissues during the feeding period, generally accompanied by a remarkable increase in saturated acyl moieties and a concomitant decrease of linoleoyl moieties of total lipids. Yet, 4 weeks after removal of the rac-1-O-dodecylglycerol-containing diet, the lipids of murine organs and tissues showed a close resemblance to those of the control group.