Triglyceride absorption in transperitoneal alimentation

In 17 fasted rabbits, a 20% solution of Intralipid was administered into the peritoneal cavity. Oral and intravenous feedings were not provided. Eight of the rabbits underwent resection of 50% of the intestine. Serial samples of serum and peritoneal fluid showed that half of the triglyceride was absorbed within 1 hour in rabbits with intact viscera, but not until 2 hours in rabbits with intestinal resection. The caval-arterial gradient for triglycerides was consistenly positive in rabbits with intact intestine, whereas it was smaller and erratic after intestnal resection. The portal-arterial gradient was never significantly different from zero. These data indicate that the major triglyceride absorption occurred across the visceral peritoneum through lymphatic vessels, with little portal venous absorption. Transperitoneal absorption of triglycerides occurred to a sufficient degree to provide substantial nutritional supplementation in rabbits with intact intestine; absorption was less in rabbits with intestinal resection.