Lymphatic fat absorption varies among rats administered dairy products differing in physiochemical properties

We examined in rats the intestinal absorption of fat from dairy products differing in physiochemical properties. Five dairy products (cream cheese, cream, sour cream, butter, and mixed butter) with minor differences in fatty acid composition were administered by gavage to rats, and lymphatic fat absorption was examined.

Absorption was followed for 8 h after administration of 300 mg fat from the dairy products. Administration of cream and sour cream resulted in faster lymphatic fat absorption than cream cheese, butter, and mixed butter, and at 8 h the accumulated absorption of fat was significantly higher. The lymphatic absorption of fat after cream cheese administration was similar to the absorption after butter and mixed butter administration up to the 4-h time point; then it increased to a level between that of rats administered cream or sour cream and butter or mixed butter.

Overall, these results demonstrated different lymphatic absorption patterns of fat from dairy products differing in physiochemical properties. Because the fatty acid composition of the dairy products differed only slightly, other factors such as viscosity, type of emulsion, particle size, and likely also protein content may have contributed to the differences in absorption.