What are chylomicrons?
Yes, so you now know that chylomicrons are basically lipoprotein molecules which are water miscible. They are poured into lymphatic vessels through lacteals to reach the liver. Hence long chain fatty acids of more than 10 carbon chain, phospholipids and cholesterol are absorbed in lymphatic vessels. Short-chain and medium-chain fatty acids are absorbed without bile emulsification into portal vein as unesterified acids. Plant sterols, fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K are all absorbed like long chain fatty acids. In liver disorders, long chain fatty acids may be replaced by medium chain triglycerides for better tolerance and increasing energy intake. In deficiency or absence of adequate bile, long chain triglyceride absorption may or may not be affected; hence fat is given to patients of liver disorders as per their tolerance. Bile itself undergoes reabsorption to be recycled 6-10 times a day. This is called 'enterohepatic circulation of bile'. In patients of familial hypercholesterolaeinia, more bile gets reabsorbed. Excretion of bile is an important route of eliminating endogenous cholesterol. As bile is derived from cholesterol inside the liver cells, the loss of bile from body would mean utilizing cholesterol for bile synthesis. Clinically, hypercholesterolamia may be treated by interrupting enterohepatic circulation of bile. Drugs can be given to prevent reabsorption of bile so that more and more endogenous cholesterol converts into bile and gets eliminated from the system.