The Monoglyceride Pathway of Fat Absorption in Man*

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Abstract
The absorption of fat was studied in five male subjects with cannulation of the thoracic duct in the neck by the administration of doubly labeled monoglycerides, or triglyceride as well as labeled free glycerol or labeled free oleic acid, by gastric or duodenal intubation. Total recoveries of the administered glyceride radioactivity from the lymph lipids ranged from 35 to 53% for the glycerol label (tritium) and from 35 to 57% for the fatty acid label (14C). The recovery of administered radioactive free glycerol in lymph lipids was only 4.1%, even when given in mixture with bile salts, fatty acid, and monoglyceride. A comparison of the isotope ratios of the two components (glycerol and fatty acid) of the lymph glycerides with the ratios of these components of the original meal glyceride showed little change during the initial period of fat absorption, indicating that the doubly labeled monoglycerides passed into the lymph intact. During the later part of the period of major fat absorption, the ratios in lymph lipids changed due to loss of glycerol representation, indicating monoglyceride hydrolysis and portal venous diversion of free glycerol. Confirmation of the intact nature of 2-monoglyceride during absorption was made by analyzing the amount and position of the labeled fatty acid in the lymph triglycerides. The percentage of labeled fatty acid in the various positions of the lymph triglycerides was virtually identical with that of the meal during the initial period of fat absorption and then changed reflecting isomerization of fatty acids and subsequent complete hydrolysis of the glycerides. The 2-monoglyceride pathway appears to be the major route of fat absorption for man during normal digestion and absorption of dietary triglyceride.