Validation of the Ratio Method for Calculating Absorption of Dietary Cholesterol in Man

Abstract

SummaryIn 1970 we proposed a simple method for calculating absorption of dietary cholesterol in man. Although the principle of the method appeared quite valid, the method itself has not been subjected to adequate experimental test. Studies were, therefore, undertaken to test the validity of the method. Our results suggest that a fraction of dietary cholesterol in the intestinal mucosa is released back into the intestinal lumen. The time taken for this "lumen-mucosa-lumen" cycle is so short that its effects were not seen in rat fecal pools collected over many hours.The values of absorption of dietary cholesterol in man calculated by our method were similar to the values obtained by Borgstrom's method. The critical evidence for the validity of the method was provided by experimental studies in rats. The calculated values for percentage absorption were in excellent agreement with those actually determined in the rat carcasses.