Fat Utilization in the Fluoride-Fed Rat

Abstract

The experiments described were carried out as attempts to determine the cause of the high fecal fat excretion previously observed in fluorotic rats. Fluoride ingestion had no effect on the level of metabolic fat. Although all fractions were elevated in the fluorotic rats, the neutral portion of the fecal lipid was raised to a greater extent than free or soap-bound fatty acids. Dietary free fatty acids were efficiently utilized by fluoride-fed rats. When the fluoride intake was equalized, more fat was observed in the feces of animals receiving fluoride by stomach intubation than by intraperitoneal injection. There was an indication of a lowered lipase activity in the intestine of rats receiving fluoride in the diet, but not in rats given fluoride intraperitoneally. Under the experimental conditions studied, the distribution of the end products of lipolysis was not effected by fluoride ingestion. It was concluded on the basis of these results that the high level of fecal lipid in fluorotic animals can be explained in part on the basis of a partial inhibition of lipase activity in the intestine.