Postprandial alterations of lipid metabolism in healthy persons and in hyperlipoproteinaemic patients

Food ingestion induces chylomicronaemia and/or elevated VLDL concentrations depending on the kind and amount of food consumed. To simulate the metabolic fate of chylomicrons, fat emulsions have been used. Their elimination velocity is influenced by the kinetic pattern of the metabolism of the endogenous triglycerides: both a low removal capacity and a triglyceride overproduction cause a delayed clearance of the fat emulsion. Moreover, an impairment of the influx of the free fatty acids into the cells which is present in hypertriglyceridaemic patients may be able to worsen that clearance. Postprandial lipaemia is also modified by diurnal variations of the lipids and lipoproteins which have been observed in fasting persons. In brief, the effects of diets rich in carbohydrates or fats are discussed.