Triglyceride ester bonds in dietary long-chain triglycerides (TAG ester bonds)

Triglyceride ester bonds in dietary long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) are the covalent linkages between glycerol and three long-chain fatty acids, serving as the primary form of energy storage in fats (PubChem, CID 5460341). These bonds are the specific substrate for gastrointestinal lipases, including gastric and pancreatic lipase, which catalyze their hydrolysis into free fatty acids and 2-monoacylglycerols for absorption in the small intestine (StatPearls, NBK542202). While not a protein target themselves, these bonds are central to the therapeutic strategy for obesity management. Drugs such as Orlistat act as potent, reversible inhibitors of lipase enzymes, preventing the cleavage of these ester bonds and thus inhibiting the absorption of approximately 30% of dietary fat (PubMed, PMID 10848511). This lack of hydrolysis results in the excretion of undigested triglycerides in the feces, which can lead to gastrointestinal side effects like steatorrhea. Consequently, these bonds represent a critical metabolic checkpoint for controlling caloric intake and managing hyperlipidemia (NIH, PMC4322747).

Other names

Triacylglycerol ester bondsLong-chain triglyceride linkagesDietary fat ester bonds

Inhibition of lipase-mediated hydrolysis of ester bonds