134 Prof. B. Moore. On the Synthesis of [June 15, 



" On the Synthesis of Fats accompanying Absorption from the 

 Intestine." By BENJAMIN MOORE, M.A., D.Sc., Johnston 

 Professor of Bio-chemistry at University College, Liverpool. 

 Communicated by Professor C. S. SHERRINGTON, F.RS. Re- 

 ceived June 15, Read June 18, 1903. 



(From the Physiological Laboratory, University College, Liverpool.) 



The experiments here recorded form a continuation of work previously 

 carried out by the author in conjunction with D. P. Rockwood* and 

 with W. H. Parker.f 



In the earlier papers it was shown that the bile possesses solvent 

 properties for both free fatty acids and soaps, which taken in conjunc- 

 tion with the hydrolytic action of the pancreatic juice upon fats 

 renders the view highly probable that all the fats of the food are 

 absorbed, not as an emulsion but in soluble form as fatty acids and 

 soaps. Such a view yields an easy explanation of the conjoint action 

 of the bile and pancreatic juice in fat absorption, and of the defective 

 uptake of fat when either fluid is absent from the intestine. 



It also supplies an important function for the bile, and explains why 

 the circulation of the biliary acids occurs. 



These results have since been confirmed .and in certain respects 

 extended by PfliigerJ , who also supports the view that all the fat of 

 the food is taken up from the intestine in soluble form. 



The experiments described in this present communication were 

 designed chiefly with the object of studying the subsequent changes 

 which take place in these absorbed soluble constituents of fat 

 digestion. 



It is known from the experiments of Munk that, even when free 

 fatty acids are taken in as food, neutral fat is the chief fatty 

 constituent present in the lymph of the thoracic duct, and this is also 

 the case when neutral fat is being taken up from the intestine. 



This observation clearly demonstrates that the fatty acids and soaps 

 formed in the intestine are synthesized back into neutral fat before the 

 thoracic duct is reached, but no clear experimental proof is in existence 

 as to where along the channel of absorption this synthesis occurs, nor 

 in what manner it takes place, that is to say, as to whether it is carried 

 out by an intracellular enzyme, or is dependent on and inseparable from 

 cells lying somewhere along the path of absorption. 



* ' Roy. Soc. Proc.,' vol. 60, 1897, p. 438 ; < Journ. of Physiology,' vol. 21, 1897. 

 p. 58. 



t Roy. Soc. Proc.,' vol. 68, 1901, p. 64. 



t ' Arch. f. die ges. Physiologic,' vol. 82, 1900, pp. 303, 381 ; vol. 85, 1901, p. 1 ; 

 vol. 88, 1902, pp. 299, 431 ; vol. 90, 1902, p. 1. 



' Virchow's Arch.,' vol. 80, 1880, p. 17 ; vol. 95, 1884, p. 452. 



