The uptake and metabolism of C14-labeled fatty acids by macrophages in vitro

Macrophages obtained from the peritoneal cavity of rabbits were incubated in vitro in the presence of C14-labeled sodium palmitate, and the uptake of fatty acid and its subsequent incorporation into other lipid fractions was determined. Up to 21%, of the C14-labeled sodium palmitate added to the incubation medium was taken up by the macrophages. Most of this was converted to triglyceride and phospholipid, but a small amount was converted to cholestero1 ester and to mono- and diglyceride.