DIGESTION AND ABSORPTION OF LONG-CHAIN AND MEDIUM-CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDES

Efficient absorption of the triglycerides is possible only when all mechanism of the luminal and mucosal phases are involved. For this, coordinated interaction of the organs of the upper digestive tract is necessary. Absorption mechanisms of medium-chain fatty acids are different from those of the long-chain fatty acids. Triglycerides containing medium-chain fatty acids show better water solubility and are faster hydrolyzed by the lingual and pancreatic lipase. Their lipolytic degradation products do not require bile acid for absorption, pass mucosa cells without intracellular esterification and are directly transported to the liver via the portal vein. This is reason for the dietetic-therapeutic use of medium-chain triglycerides in various diseases accompanying a malassimilation syndrome.