Lymphatic absorption of phytosterol oxides in rats

Two of the main classes of oxyphytosterols (7-keto and epoxides) were synth esized from sitosterol and campesterol and given to mesenteric duct-cannula ted adult male rats. Lymph was collected during 24 h and was analyzed for o xysterols. The results showed that the lymphatic recovery of the phytostero l oxides was low: 4.7% of the given dose for epoxy derivatives and 1.5% for 7-keto compounds. The campesterol oxides presented a better absorption tha n the sitosterol oxides. During the process of absorption, the epoxyphytost anols were also partly transformed in campestanetriol and stigmastanetriol.