Chylomicrons digestion

Four major groups of lipoproteins are recognized Chylomicrons transport lipids resulting from digestion and absorption. Very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) transport triacylglycerol from the liver. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) deliver cholesterol to the tissues, and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) remove cholesterol from the tissues in the process known as reverse cholesterol transport. 

FIGURE 3.2.1 In vitro digestion/Caco-2 cell model combination approach to assess carotenoid bioavailability. LCM = large chylomicrons. SCM = small chylomicrons. VLDL = very low density lipoproteins. 

Chylomicrons leave the absorptive cell by way of exocytosis. Because they are unable to cross the basement membrane of the blood capillaries, the chylomicrons enter the lacteals, which are part of the lymphatic system. The vessels of the lymphatic system converge to form the thoracic duct that drains into the venous system near the heart. Therefore, unlike products of carbohydrate and protein digestion that are transported directly to the liver by way of the hepatic portal vein, absorbed lipids are diluted in the blood... 

The digestion of fat produces chylomicrons and VLDL - metabolism of the latter produces LDL, high concentrations of which increase the risk of development of atherosclerosis (Appendix 11.3) (Chapter 22). 

Vitamin E, like neutral lipids, requires apoB lipoproteins at every stage of its transport (Fig. 27-2). Dietary vitamin E becomes emulsified in micelles produced during the digestive phase of lipid absorption and permeates the intestinal epithelium, similar to fatty acids and cholesterol. Uptake of vitamin E by enterocytes appears to be concentration dependent. Within intestinal cells, vitamin E is packaged into chylomicrons and secreted into lymph. During blood circulation of chylomicrons, some vitamin E may be released to the tissues as a consequence of partial lipolysis of these particles by endothelial cell-anchored lipoprotein lipase. The rest remains associated with chylomicron remnants. Remnant particles are mainly endocy-tosed by the liver and degraded, resulting in the release of fat-soluble vitamins. 

Q9 Lipid in the diet is present mostly in the form of triglycerides, which are digested by pancreatic lipase to yield fatty acids and monoglycerides bile salts are also required for digestion and absorption of the dietary lipids. Bile salts interact with the fatty acids and monoglycerides in the gut lumen to form micelles, which can be absorbed by the epithelial cells. In the epithelial cell the triglyceride is resynthesized to form droplets, or chylomicrons, which enter the lacteals and are carried by the lymphatic system into the general circulation. 

A. Familial lipoprotein lipase deficiency (Type I lipoprotein pattern on electrophoresis). Serum triglycerides become elevated with particular elevation of chylomicrons. Tliere are xanthomas, rather than atherosclerosis. Pancreatitis may result from the action of pancreatic lipase on these elevated chylomicrons, with resultant excess triglyceride breakdown in the pancreas, pancreatic injury, and release of more pancreatic lipase. (Note that the body contains different kinds of lipases. There is a pancreatic lipase, which is a digestive enzyme a lipoprotein lipase, which is an extracellular enzyme that breaks down plasma triglycerides, thereby enabling fatty acids to enter cells and an intracellular lipase that breaks down stored triglycerides). 

The well-fed, or postabsorptive, state. After we consume and digest an evening meal, glucose and amino acids are transported from the intestine to the blood. The dietary lipids are packaged into chylomicrons and transported to the blood by the lymphatic system. This fed condition leads to the secretion of insulin, which is one of the two most... 

Start after ingestion, where they are typically hydrolyzed by lipases in the digestive tract into monoacylglycerols and free fatty acids and then absorbed in the upper segment of the small intestine. These are then synthesized back into TAGs in the mucosal epithelial layer and enter the bloodstream as chylomicrons through the lymphatic system. These chylomicrons are then transported via the bloodstream to the peripheral tissues and organs to perform diverse functions (3). 

Vitamins K and Kj are absorbed by an active process in the proximal small intestines. Bile of normal composition is necessary to facilitate the absorption. The bile component principally concerned in the absorption and transport of fat-soluble vitamin K from the digestive tract is thought to be Jcoxycholic acid. The molecular compound of vitamin K with deoxycholic acid was effective on oral administration to rats with biliary fistula. Vitamin K is absorbed through the lymph in chylomicrons. It is tran.sportcd to the liver, where it is concentrated, but no significant storage occurs. 

The triacylglycerols of chylomicrons (produced from dietary fat) and VLDL (produced from glucose by the liver) are digested in capillaries by lipoprotein lipase to form fatty acids and glycerol. 

The dietary triacylglycerols, which are water-insoluble, are digested in the small intestine to fatty acids and 2-monoacylglycerols. These digestive products are resynthesized to triacylglycerols in intestinal epithelial cells and are secreted in chylomicrons via the lymph into the blood. 

Figure 6-5. Digestion of triacylglycenols. TG triacylglycerols bs = bile salts FA = fatty add 2-MG=2-monoacylglycerol. B. Synthesis of chylomicrons...

A. HDL is produced in the liver. It transfers apoprotein Cn, which activates lipoprotein lipase, to chylomicrons and VLDL. HDL picks up cholesterol from cell membranes. This cholesterol is converted to cholesterol esters by the LCAT reaction. Ultimately, HDL enters liver cells by endocytosis and is digested by lysosomal enzymes. Hormone-sensitive lipase degrades triacylglycerols stored in adipose cells. 

C. The pancreas produces bicarbonate (which neutralizes stomach acid) and digestive enzymes (including the lipase that degrades dietary lipids). Decreased bicarbonate will lead to a decrease of intestinal pH. Decreased digestion of dietary triacylglycerols will lead to formation of fewer bile salt micelles. Intestinal cells will have less substrate for chylomicron formation, and less fat-soluble vitamins will be absorbed. More dietary fat will be excreted in the feces. 

C. The chylomicron triacylglycerol is digested by lipoprotein lipase, and the palmitate enters a fat cell and is stored as triacylglycerol. It is released as free palmitate and carried, complexed with albumin, to a muscle cell, where it is oxidized. 

D. In this situation, bile salts from the pancreas could not enter the digestive tract. Therefore, recycling and excretion of bile salts, digestion of fats, and formation of chylomicrons would all decrease. As a consequence, fat in the feces (steatorrhea) would increase. 

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