Metabolic Studies in Patients With Gastro-Intestinal Cancer. Iv. Fat Metabolism, a Method of Study 1

Abstract

The results of recent studies have added significantly to the understanding of the intermediary metabolism of fat, particularly as concerns the role of the liver in the utilization of fat by the body. (I to 3). On the other hand, the available information concerning the absorption and digestion of fat in the gastro-intestinal tract leaves much to be desired, primarily because of a lack of satisfactory technical methods.In the course of an investigation of the metabolism of essential dietary factors by patients with gastro-intestinal cancer (4, 5), the ability of these patients to digest and absorb fats was determined. For The patients were allowed a preliminary period of from 3 to 5 days on these diets before any studies were begun, in order that they might become accustomed to the rigid routines employed in their feedings and in the collection of their excreta.When each subject had taken the basal diet satisfactorily for from 6 to 9 days, a supplement of fat was given in order to obtain a measure of the individual's ability to absorb fat, at both a normal and high level of fat ingestion. This supplement consisted of 2 grams of fat per kilogram of body weight (the "fat load"). other time. However, on the day when the fat load was stearin determinations were made on samples administered, the meals were taken at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and which were removed by a large bore pipette from 7 p.m. different levels of suspension. Differences of from b. Collection of feces. When the subject had taken 1 to 4.5 per cent were found between the stearin the basal diet for from 3 to 5 days, a saline enema of content of the various aliquots (Table I). Thus, 500 ml. was given at 7 a.m. and the returns discarded. From that hour, all stools excreted were collected, for

Post-gastrectomy Syndromes

“…The subject has not, so far as we know, been thoroughly investigated, but there have been isolated reports of increased fat and poorly digested meat fibres and connective tissue in the faeces of patients who have undergone gastric operations (Spriggs and Marxer. 1922;Gordon-Taylor et al, 1929;Rekers et al, 1943: Wollaeger et al, 1946Muir, 1949). Welbourn and Glazebrook (1951) have found steatorrhoea in two patients who were markedly underweight after gastrectomy.…”