Effects of very long chain versus long chain triglycerides on gastrointestinal motility and hormone release in humans

Fish oil (a very long chain triglycerides, VLCT) has received much attentio n because of its favorable metabolic properties; however, its effect on gas trointestinal function has not been studied. We investigated the effects of intraduodenally administered VLCT on gut-hormone release [cholecystokinin (CCK), neurotensin, peptide YY (PYY)], gallbladder emptying, antroduodenal motility, and small bowel transit time (SBTT) in comparison to intraduodena l administration of saline and long Chain triglycerides (LCT, corn oil) in nine healthy volunteers. Gallbladder contraction duration was significantly shorter after VLCT than after LCT (138 +/- 16 min vs 233 +/- 38 min, P < 0 .05). Both fats induced a fed motility pattern, while SBTT was not signific antly altered. CCK secretion was significantly reduced after VLCT compared to LCT (36 +/- 12 pM X 120 min vs 78 +/- 15 pM X 120 min, P < 0.05), wherea s PYY and neurotensin release were not significantly different. In conclusi on, effects of triglycerides on CCK and gallbladder motility appear to be c hain-length dependent, in contrast to the effects on distal gut-hormone rel ease and intestinal motility and transit, which appear to be chain-length i ndependent.