Lipid metabolism following triglyceride ingestion in intact and adrenalectomized rats

Although both adrenalectomized and intact Long Evans rats absorbed the same amount of fat over a 24 hr period, the livers of the intact rats accumulated triglyceride while the livers of the adrenalectomized rats failed to do so. Of the glycerides excreted in the feces, the adrenalectomized rat excreted a significantly higher proportion of triglycerides while the intact rats excreted primarily monoglycerides. Fecal excretion of bile acids and phospholipids was significantly lower in the adrenalectomized rats compared to intact rats. Thus adrenal hormones appear to influence intestinal lipolysis. Serum and liver phospholipids appeared to be significantly lower in response to a fat load in adrenalectomized rats compared to intact rats. The phospholipid content of the small intestinal wall was five-fold higher in the intact rats than in the adrenalectomized rats. The adrenal gland appears to control phospholipid synthesis during triglyceride assimilation.