Great progress in understanding the mechanisms of fat absorption by the mammalian intestine has been made in the past decade and a half. In contrast to the contentions of rival theorists of the century before this, it has been possible for many laboratories throughout the world to confirm observations made by use of the new tools available, and to come to agreement on current interpretations of...

Our knowledge of the uptake and transport of dietary fat and fat-soluble vitamins has advanced considerably. Researchers have identified several new mechanisms by which lipids are taken up by enterocytes and packaged as chylomicrons for export into the lymphatic system or clarified the actions of mechanisms previously known to participate in these processes. Fatty acids are taken up by enterocy...

Intestinal cell proliferation and cell production is best quantified by measuring the rate of accumulation of vincristine arrested metaphases in microdissected intestinal crypts to determine the crypt cell production rate (CCPR). Studies of intestinal adaptation could be much more informative if a valid measure of intestinal function could also be included. One such method is the water absorpti...