The rapidly evolving field of
lipid absorption is reviewed with the thrust of new knowledge focused on the interpendency of the
luminal and cellular phases of absorption. To date little attention has been paid to factors that regulate the
phospholipid biosynthesis in the enterocyte. The availability of 20:4 omega 6 may be the rate-limiting factor for
phospholipid synthesis. The source of 20:4 omega 6 is unknown, whether it be synthesized de novo the enterocyte or entirely originating from degradation of bile
phospholipid. It has been established that
dietary fat can modulate the enterocyte
membrane lipid composition and transport properties. Specified
fats such as as
fish oils rich in 20:5 omega 3 and 22:6 omega 3 have been implicated as protective against
hypercholesterolemia. However, the effects of these
dietary fats on the transport of nutrients across the enterocyte are not yet known, nor are the mechanisms responsible for the adaptive responses of the brush border identified.