IN-VIVO METABOLISM OF SALATRIM FATS IN THE RAT

SALATRIM fats are structured triacylglycerols that contain at least one short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and a saturated long-chain fatty acid, usually stearic. SALATRIM C-14-labeled in either acetate, propionate, stearate, or glycerol and triolein C-14-labeled in either oleate or glycerol were administered to male rats by gavage. Rats were fed basal diet or basal diet containing 10% (w/w) SALATRIM 23CA lot A014 for 14 days before administration of radiolabeled fats. Acetate and propionate from SALATRIM are rapidly converted to carbon dioxide, which indicates the triacylglycerols are cleaved by lipases in the stomach and upper small intestine. The stearate of SALATRIM is hydrolyzed more slowly than the SCFA but almost identically to the oleate of triolein. Long-chain fatty acids of SALATRIM and triolein are predominantly metabolized to CO2. Stearic acid is more poorly absorbed than oleic acid. Of the absorbed stearate in fat stores, 57.2% had been converted to oleate. The biodisposition of glycerol from SALATRIM or triolein is essentially identical. The study supports the hypothesis that SALATRIM biodisposition is predictable and similar to that of other fats. Feeding SALATRIM 23CA lot A014 for 14 days did not significantly alter SALATRIM or triolein biodisposition.