Enhanced intestinal lymph formation during fat absorption: the importance of triglyceride hydrolysis.

The effect of intraduodenal administration of fats was studied in the rat to define the mechanisms responsible for the substantial increase in intestinal lymph flow and protein transport which follows fat ingestion. Triglyceride in the intestinal lumen, protected from hydrolysis, does not appear to enhance intestinal lymph production. Giving both long- and medium-chain fatty acids, however, causes intestinal lymph flow and protein transport to increase in a manner similar to that found after giving triglyceride which is allowed to undergo hydrolysis. Bile by itself does not seem to be responsible for the phenomenon.