Effect of Heparin on Triglyceride and Free Fatty Acid Concentrations in Lymph.

Abstract

Summary The glyceride and free fatty acid contents of thoracic, intestinal, and hepatic lymph of rabbits, and thoracic lymph of rats were determined before and after intravenous administration of heparin. The principal effects observed were the following: 1. The turbidity that was always observed initially in thoracic or intestinal lymph was diminished or disappeared. Hepatic lymph was not originally turbid. 2. In all cases the glyceride content was reduced and free fatty acids increased. 3. Relative amount of glycerides was highest in intestinal lymph, and the change in that component was markedly greater than in hepatic lymph. 4. Hepatic lymph had a low initial content of glycerides, and showed a relatively larger change in free fatty acids. 5. Trielaidin was fed to rats and heparin given intravenously during absorptive phase. Elaidic acid was detected in free fatty acids subsequently appearing in lymph. Post-heparin rabbit lymph was capable of producing lipolysis of a fatty substrate in vitro.