Impaired absorption of micellar long-chain fatty acid in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis

Diminished absorption of micellar long-chain fatty acid in patients with liver cirrhosis compared with controls was demonstrated during perfusion of the proximal small bowel with a micellar solution of long-chain fatty acid. Since parallel experiments showed no difference in absorption of medium-chain fatty acids, the results suggest impairment of the mucosal transport of long-chain fatty acid in cirrhosis. We suggest that this abnormality, possibly related to portal or lymphatic hypertension, contributes to fat malabsorption and malnutrition in these patients.