Effect of surfactant poloxalene 2930 on food intake, lipid absorption, and serum cholesterol in rats.

Effect of hydrophobic surfactant, poloxalene 2930, on lipid absorption was studied in rats. Under acute conditions with surfactant infused intraduodenally with a lipid meal absorbed lipid accumulated abnormally in the enterocytes. This effect was quickly reversed after terminating treatment. Long-term administration of poloxalene given in semipurified diets resulted in changes in food intake, weight gain, fecal fat output, and serum cholesterol concentrations. The composition of the diet used as the vehicle for administration had a considerable effect on these results. When semipurified diets were used, food intake and weight gain were greatest when the dietary fat content was at the highest level. When the surfactant was given in ground chow, food intake was not affected and weight gain was only slightly, but significantly, less than the controls as a result of mild fat malabsorption. It is concluded that poloxalene 2930 affects lipid absorption, food intake, and serum cholesterol concentration but that results of this treatment are considerably affected by dietary factors.