Fatty acid metabolism in segments of rat intestine

¹ Biological and Medical Sciences Division, U. S. Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory, San Francisco, California

The in vitro metabolism of albumin-bound palmitic acid-1-C¹⁴ by segments of small intestine was studied. Tissue uptake, esterification, and oxidation of the fatty acid were measured separately and found to respond independently to altered incubation conditions. Uptake was reversible, and did not require glucose or oxygen. It was not inhibited by fluoride or arsenate. Esterification required both glucose and oxygen, but was unaffected by insulin. It was depressed by succinate and almost completely inhibited by fluoride and arsenate. Oxidation was a minor fate for fatty acid. It was independent of glucose but inhibited by succinate, fluoride, and arsenate. Sodium taurocholate stimulated uptake, but not esterification, as has been previously reported. The possible significance of the reversible tissue uptake reaction is discussed.

Key Words: bile salts and fat synthesis • fatty acids, uptake, esterification, and oxidation

Submitted on May 18, 1964

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