Dietary triacylglycerol (TAG) (TAG)

Dietary triacylglycerols (TAGs) represent the primary form of lipid intake in the human diet, consisting of three fatty acid chains esterified to a glycerol molecule [1, 4]. In the gut lumen, these large hydrophobic molecules must be emulsified by bile salts and hydrolyzed by gastric and pancreatic lipases into smaller, absorbable components like free fatty acids and 2-monoacylglycerols [1]. This process is a critical step in lipid absorption, energy homeostasis, and the uptake of fat-soluble vitamins [1]. While TAGs themselves are substrates rather than traditional protein targets like receptors or enzymes, the pathway of their digestion is a major focus for pharmacological intervention in treating obesity and metabolic disorders [3]. Drugs like orlistat function by inhibiting the enzymes responsible for TAG breakdown, thereby reducing the caloric intake from dietary fats and increasing fecal fat excretion [3]. Excessive accumulation or impaired processing of TAGs is strongly linked to conditions such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease [1, 2].

Other names

TriglycerideTriacylglycerideNeutral fatFatty acid triester of glycerol

Inhibition of gastrointestinal lipases (gastric and pancreatic) to prevent the hydrolysis of dietary triacylglycerols into absorbable free fatty acids and monoglycerides [3].