INTESTINAL LIPID ABSORPTION IN THE NEPHROTIC RAT

There is limited data on intestinal lipid absorption in the nephrotic syndrome. This study investigated whether the efficiency of intestinal lipid absorption is altered in nephrotic lymph-fistula rats. The neph rotic syndrome was induced in nine Sprague-Dawley rats by an iv inject ion of puromycin aminonucleoside in saline; seven control rats receive d saline only. At 10 to 14 days after injection, the main intestinal l ymph duct was cannulated for collection of lymph. The duodenum was als o cannulated and a fasting saline-glucose solution was infused overnig ht at 3 mL/h. The next day, the infusate was changed to a lipid emulsi on that contained (C-14)cholesterol and (H-3)triglyceride(triolein) th at was infused at 3 mL/h for 8 h. During the last hour of fasting and during the lipid infusion, lymph flow in the Nephrotic group averaged 0.6 mL/h higher than the Control group (P = 0.02). No significant diff erences were found between the two groups in recovery of infused radio active cholesterol (P = 0.37) or triglyceride (P = 0.38) from the gast rointestinal lumen, small intestinal mucosa, or lymph. Lymphatic outpu t of chemically measured cholesterol was also similar (P = 0.96). Thes e results suggest that mucosal uptake and lymphatic output of choleste rol and triglyceride are not altered in the nephrotic syndrome.