Both the type and amount of triglycerides influence the bioavailability of fat-soluble vitamins in mice

Abstract

We investigated whether low (L) or high (H) amounts of tricaprylin (TC) or triolein (TO) modulate fat-soluble vitamin bioavailability. Mice received 5 mg kg⁻¹ vitamins with either 117 or 933 mg kg⁻¹ of TC or TO. The vitamin levels were monitored in the plasma (0–6 h) and intestine (6 h). The plasma vitamin A response was up to 87.6 ± 3.2% higher (p < 0.0001) with LTC compared to HTC or HTO. The vitamin D response remained unaffected. The plasma vitamin E and K responses were both favored by HTO (up to +283.9 ± 24.0%, p < 0.0001 and +163.8 ± 34.7%, p = 0.033, respectively). The intestinal vitamin A, E and K concentrations reflected the modulations observed in the plasma, while the intestinal vitamin D concentration was significantly higher with HTC compared to LTC (796.9 ± 80.8 vs. 457.1 ± 46.3 pmol g⁻¹, p = 0.0340). Overall, the type and amount of triglycerides influence the bioavailability of vitamins A, E and K but not that of vitamin D. These results could help in formulating fortified foods.