Influence of Microorganisms on Intestinal Absorption: Oleic Acid 131I and Triolein 131I Absorption by Germfree and Conventionalized Rats

Several differences in lipid metabolism have been demonstrated be tween gennfree and conventional rats. To evaluate the role which intestinal absorption might play in determining these differences, we compared the absorption of oleic acid ml and triolein 131Iin gennfree and conventionalized rats. Gastric emptying of both compounds appeared to be delayed in gennfree rats and correspondingly less radioactivity reached the cecum during the 6-hour period following intragastric admin istration. When corrections were made for differences in gastric emptying, gennfree and conventionalized rats absorbed oleic acid and triolein at similar rates. Under the conditions of our studies, intestinal microorganisms did not appear to influence the rate of either lipolysis or fatty acid absorption directly, but significantly influenced the rate at which fat was transported along the gastrointestinal tract.