title: Cholesterol and phospholipid: influence of body weight on the output of lipids in mesenteric lymph.
abstract: In ageing humans there is accumulation of cholesterol in adipose tissue, muscle and other organs. In human obesity increased synthesis of cholesterol has been demonstrated. In order to ascertain possible endogenous sources of lipids, the output of cholesterol, phospholipid and triglyceride from the bile and small intestine was studied in rats in relationship to body weight. The output of lipid in mesenteric lymph showed an almost two-fold increase in the heaviest rats. Small intestinal concentrations of phospholipid and unesterified cholesterol rose significantly with increase of body weight. Output of cholesterol and phospholipid in bile was found to be related to body weight and total bile salt output. The increased lipid content of mesenteric lymph may reflect lipid synthesis in the small intestine, as well as increased absorption from biliary sources, and contribute to cholesterol accumulation in obese rats. Although these are major differences between human and rat cholesterol metabolism, the intestine is a major source of endogenous cholesterol in both species, and could be part of the source of the additional cholesterol load in obese humans.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001646:Bile / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000032:analysis; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000032:analysis; D008196:Lymph / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008643:Mesentery; D010743:Phospholipids / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010743:Phospholipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol