Effect of Equimolar Amounts of Long-Chain Triglycerides and Medium-Chain Triglycerides on Small-Bowel Transit Time in Humans

Abstract

Background: The use of medium-chain triglycerides in diets is limited by the frequent occurrence of diarrhea or crampy abdominal pain. Because these symptoms may result from an accelerated transit time induced by medium-chain triglycerides, we investigated the effect of equimolar amounts of long-chain triglycerides and medium-chain triglycerides on small-bowel transit time in 10 healthy subjects. Methods: Small-bowel transit time was measured by the lactulose hydrogen breath test after intraduodenal administration of lactulose. Results: Intraduodenal administration of 20 mmol of long-chain triglycerides per hour for 90 minutes did not alter small-bowel transit time compared with control (77 ± 11 minutes vs 77 ± 10 minutes, respectively), whereas intraduodenal infusion of an equimolar dose of medium-chain triglycerides significantly accelerated small-bowel transit time (59 ± 6 minutes) compared with long-chain triglycerides and control (p < .05). In six individuals, small-bowel transit time was shorter during the administration of medium-chain triglycerides compared with control, and three of these subjects experienced abdominal symptoms. Plasma cholecystokinin levels increased significantly (p < .05) during the administration of long-chain triglycerides, from 2.6 ± 0.3 pmol/L to a maximum of 4.3 ± 0.6 pmol/L. No significant alterations were observed in plasma cholecystokinin levels during administration of medium-chain triglycerides or in the control experiment. Conclusions: Although it significantly increases cholecystokinin secretion, the intraduodenal infusion of long-chain triglycerides does not affect small-bowel transit time, whereas the infusion of medium-chain triglycerides accelerates small-bowel transit time, independent of cholecystokinin. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 19:5-8, 1995)