THE EFFECT OF FAT INGESTION ON THE ESTERASE ISOZYMES OF INTESTINE, INTESTINAL LYMPH, AND SERUM

Abstract

The effect of various meals on the α-naphthyl butyrate isozymes of the serum and intestinal lymph has been studied in male rats using the starch gel zymogram technique. A marked increase in esterase activity, largely confined to two molecular fractions, occurred in the intestinal lymph, and later in the serum, following a meal of corn oil. The fat meal has no effect on the esterase activity of bile, although the presence of bile was essential for increased esterase activity to occur in the intestinal lymph. The source of the isozymes most affected by ingested fat is considered to be the small intestine, particularly the duodenum.