Intestinal Sensing Of Postprandial Lipid Micelles

Post-prandial hypertriglyceridemia is a risk factor for metabolic diseases. The intestine, through its role in alimentary lipid absorption, participates in the secretion of lipoprotein rich-triglycerides (TRL) and contributes to the increase in plasma triglyceride levels during the postprandial state. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the secretion of intestinal TRL would allow the identification of new drug targets for treatment of metabolic diseases. The sensing of lipids by intestinal cells represents a promising mechanism allowing the modulation of TRL secretion. While many studies show the importance of enteroendocrine cells in the detection of alimentary lipids, several evidence suggest also the implication of enterocytes, the absorptive intestinal cells, in this process. Recent experimental results on the role of the scavenger receptor SR-BI in the detection of dietary lipids, supplied in their physiological form of postprandial lipid micelles, are reviewed.