Human rectal absorption of short- and medium-chain C2-C10 fatty acids

BACKGROUND: Current knowledge on the colonorectal absorption of medium-chain fatty acids is limited. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate and compare the human rectal absorption of short- and medium-chain C2-C10 fatty acids in healthy volunteers.

METHODS: Dialysis bags containing 20 mmol x l(-1) of the fatty acids acetate, butyrate, hexanoate, octanoate, or decanoate in a phosphate-buffered (pH neutral) isoosmotic electrolyte solution were placed in the rectum for 30 min in 14 healthy volunteers. Absorption rates were calculated for all fatty acids, sodium, potassium, and water.

RESULTS: Absorption rates of the fatty acids acetate, butyrate, hexanoate, octanoate or decanoate were the same (1.9 +/- 0.1 = 2.5 +/- 0.2 = 1.7 +/- 0.2 = 1.9 +/- 0.2 = 2.2 +/- 0.1 micromol x cm(-2) x h(-1) (mean +/- standard error of the mean), respectively; P = 0.24).

CONCLUSIONS: Medium-chain fatty acids were absorbed in the human rectum at a rate similar to that for short-chain fatty acids. If results can be applied to the human colon, colonic absorption of medium-chain fatty acids could possibly become an important secondary site of absorption in abnormal intestinal conditions such as massive small-intestinal resection or malabsorption syndromes.