Effect of Enteral Nutrition Formula on Fat Absorption and Serum Free Fatty Acid Profiles in Rat with Short-Bowel Syndrome

The effects of enteral nutrition containing long chain triglycerides (LCT) and medium chain triglycerides (MCT) or L-arginine (Arg) on fat absorbability, serum free fatty acid profiles and intestinal morphology in rats with short-bowel syndrome (SBS) were studied using gas chromatography. Twenty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups:sham operation fed with LCT as control; 85% small bowel resection fed with LCT, MCT/LCT, and Arg/LCT, respectively. SBS rats showed a decrease of fat absorptivity. Enteral nutrition supplemented with MCT could increase fat absorptivity. L-Arginine enhanced enteral nutrition was associated with the elevation of fat absorptivity, possibly due to its enterotrophic effect on remnant small bowel mucosa. LCT group showed a significant deficiency of total free fatty acid and the decreased essential fatty acid content, which was improved in other two SBS groups.