ABSORPTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ARACHIDONATE IN RATS RECEIVING LYSOPHOSPHOLIPIDS BY ORAL ROUTE

Absorption and distribution of polyunsaturated fatty acids was investi gated in rats receiving lysophospholipids per os (30 mg kg-1). Lysopho sphatidylcholine (lysoPC) increased [H-3]arachidonate absorption and i ts incorporation into mucosal phosphatidylcholine. Transport of [H-3]a rachidonate by the phospholipid fraction of lymph lipoproteins and the level of [H-3]arachidonate in plasma and liver lipids was also increa sed by lyso PC. Lysophosphatidylserine also increased [H-3]arachidonat e absorption but channeled the fatty acids into the aminophospholipid fraction of mucosal phospholipids, thus decreasing its efflux in lymph lipoproteins. As a consequence, lysophosphatidylserine caused [H-3]ar achidonate accumulation in mucosa. As similar results were obtained wi th [C-14]linoleate, the data suggest that the addition of an appropria te lysophospholipid to the diet may direct absorption and distribution of polyunsaturated fatty acids.