Recent Advances in Triacylglycerol Mobilization by the Gut

Dietary lipid absorption and lipoprotein secretion by the gut are important in maintaining whole-body energy homeostasis and have significant implications for health and disease. The processing of dietary lipids, including storage within and subsequent mobilization and transport from enterocyte cytoplasmic lipid droplets or other intestinal lipid storage pools (including the secretary pathway, lamina propria and lymphatics) and secretion of chylomicrons, involves coordinated steps that are subject to various controls. This review summarizes recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie lipid storage and mobilization by small intestinal enterocytes and the intestinal lymphatic vasculature. Therapeutic targeting of lipid processing by the gut may provide opportunities for the treatment and prevention of dyslipidemia, and for improving health status. Handling of dietary lipids by the gut is subject to several local and systemic control mechanisms. Storage and mobilization of lipids within cytoplasmic lipid droplets play an important regulatory role in lipid absorption and lipoprotein secretion by the gut. The intestine is capable of prolonged storage of dietary lipids well beyond the postprandial period. Lacteals and mesenteric lymphatics actively control chylomicron transport.