INTESTINAL LIPID-METABOLISM IN SUCKLING RATS INFECTED WITH GIARDIA-DUODENALIS

We carried out a quantitative and qualitative analysis of intestinal d igestion of neutral lipids in suckling rats infected with Giardia duod enalis. Total lipids were measured after extraction from the contents of the stomach, proximal and distal small bowel, caecum and colon. Amo unts gradually fell from the stomach to the colon and were identical i n infected animals and controls, although high values were occasionall y found in the caecum of infected rats. Relative glyceride quantities were determined by means of high-performance thin-layer chromatography . Triglycerides were absent from the distal small bowel. and only free fatty acids and cholesterol were present in the caecum, reflecting no rmal digestion of neutral lipids in infected suckling rats. Our result s suggest that G. duodenalis does not impair intestinal fat digestion in suckling rats.