THE ABSORPTION OF ORALLY ADMINISTERED EMULSIFIED LIPID IN NORMAL CHILDREN AND IN CHILDREN WITH STEATORRHEA 12

Abstract

The data presented was obtained from 14 normal children, 14 children with achylia pancreatica, and 6 children with steatorrhea due to other causes. The rise in the plasma level of vit. A in normal children was essentially the same whether the vit. A ester was given in an oily or an emulsified state. In achylia pancreatica and other forms of steatorrhea, the rise in the plasma vit. A was very slight when oily vit. A ester was given orally, but the rise following emulsified vit. A ester was usually near normal. It is suggested that the emulsified prepns. of vit. A ester, which contained particles approx. 0.5 [mu] in diameter, were absorbed directly through the mucosa without the aid of lipase in accord with Frazer''s Partition Hypothesis. The implications of improved absorption resulting from oral admn. of emulsified lipids to patients with steatorrhea are discussed.