Determining the Responsiveness of Intestinal Lipoprotein Production to an Elevation of Plasma Free Fatty Acids
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2008-10-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Lipoproteins are large complexes of molecules that transport lipids (primarily triglycerides
and cholesterol) through the blood. The intestine has traditionally been viewed as a
'passive' organ with respect to lipoprotein production, with intestinal lipoprotein
production rates responding mainly to fat ingestion and absorption. The investigators have
recently demonstrated in animal models that there is an overproduction of intestinal
lipoproteins in both the fasted and the fed state. The investigators have also recently
demonstrated that an elevation of plasma free fatty acids (FFAs) stimulates intestinal
lipoprotein in hamsters. It is not known whether intestinal lipoprotein production can be
acutely stimulated by an elevation of plasma FFAs in humans.
Hypothesis: Intestinal lipoprotein particle production in humans can be stimulated by an
acute elevation of plasma free fatty acids.