Improvement of fat digestion in rats by dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin

Heptakis-(2,6-di-O-methyl)--cyclodextrin (DIMEB), a compound having a great water-solubility enhancing effect on lipids via inclusion complex formation was investigated as a potential bile-substituting agentin vivo in rats. The normal fat digestion was inhibited by ligating the bile duct. 3-H-Stearic acid or edible oil were administered orally to rats and the effect of simultaneously administered DIMEB on the lipid absorption was studied by measuring the blood radioactivity level or plasma triglyceride and free fatty acid concentrations. The lipid absorption was significantly improved by DIMEB. Accordingly, it seems to be a new fat digestion and absorption enhancing drug, i.e. a possible bile-substituting agent.Presented at the Fourth International Symposium on Inclusion Phenomena and the Third International Symposium on Cyclodextrins, Lancaster, U.K., 20–25 July 1986.