Effect of Medium-chain Triglyceride on Absorption of Retinyl Acetate in Mann-Williamson Rats

Abstract

The effect of medium-chain triglyceride on absorption of retinyl acetate (A-ace) was investigated in Mann-Williamson rats (MW rats). Bile and pancreatic juice secretions were surgically bypassed into the ileum in the animals used in the present study. MW rats received a single dose of isotopically labeled A-ace ([^3H]A-ace) alone with either MCT or long-chain triglyceride (LCT) liquid diet. Percentage absorption of [^3H]A-ace was considerably higher in MW rats fed MCT diet than LCT diet. Residual [^3H]A-ace in the stomach was lower in rats fed MCT than LCT. These results suggest that feeding of MCT improved the absorption of A-ace in rats with malabsorption and that this mechanism may be due to the rapid digestion and movement of MCT in digestive tracts.