Comparison of linoleic acid and stearic acid absorption by the gallbladder.

The absorption of [14C]linoleic acid and [14C]stearic acid in guinea pig bile by the in situ guinea pig gallbladder was compared. Linoleic acid was adsorbed at a faster rate than was stearic acid. Differences were also observed in the incorporation of these two fatty acids into complex lipids of the gallbladder mucosa. A greater portion of adsorbed linoleic acid was incorporated into triacylglycerol whereas a greater portion of stearic acid was incorporated into sphingomyelin. The significance of these findings in relation to the fatty acid composition of bile is discussed.