THE FATTY ACID PATTERNS OF PLASMA LIPIDS DURING ALIMENTARY LIPEMIA*

Abstract

Plasma lipids were fractionated into chylomicra, nonesterified fatty acids, triglycerides plus cholesterol esters and phospholipids, and the fatty acid compositions of these fractions were determined by analysis with gas-liquid chromatography. The data showed a fairly consistent pattern for each fraction in a group of normal fasting subjects. A few analyses made on animal plasmas yielded essentially the same patterns. Plasmas taken during alimentary lipemia were analyzed similarly. Neither the chylomicra, nor any other fraction, acquired the pattern of dietary fat during the period of lipemia. The fatty acid pattern of chylomicra in plasma is probably stabilized by equilibration with a larger pool of tissue lipids.