Intestinal triglyceride absorption processes

Intestinal triglyceride absorption is a complex physiological process responsible for the uptake of dietary fats, which provide a major energy source and essential fatty acids. The process involves the emulsification of dietary lipids, enzymatic hydrolysis by pancreatic lipase into fatty acids and monoacylglycerols, and their subsequent uptake by enterocytes via passive diffusion or protein-mediated transport. Inside the enterocyte, these components are re-esterified into triglycerides and packaged into chylomicrons for secretion into the lymphatic system. While essential for health, excessive triglyceride absorption is a primary driver of obesity and metabolic disorders. Pharmacological intervention in this process aims to reduce caloric intake or lower systemic lipid levels by targeting specific enzymes like pancreatic lipase or transport proteins like microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP).

Other names

Dietary fat absorptionIntestinal lipid absorptionTriglyceride digestion and absorption

Drugs targeting this process typically act by inhibiting the enzymatic hydrolysis of triglycerides in the intestinal lumen (e.g., lipase inhibitors), blocking the re-esterification of fatty acids within enterocytes (e.g., DGAT1 inhibitors), or preventing the assembly and secretion of chylomicrons (e.g., MTP inhibitors).