Effects of oleic acid or triolein on lymphatic recovery of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) given as an ethyl ester were examined in rats with cannulated thoracic ducts. Lymphatic recovery of ethyl DHA given with oleic acid or triolein was significantly higher than in rats given ethyl DHA alone. DHA distributed almost exclusively at the 1- and 3-position of triglyceride in lymph collected at O-3 h after the administration, when it was given with oleic acid or triolein. A small part of DHA distributed at the 2-position when ethyl DHA was the sole fatty acid given. Oleic acid given as free acid or triolein with ethyl DHA was a major fatty acid at the 2-position. Intramolecular distribution of DHA and oleic acid in lymph triglyceride was similar when ethyl DHA was given with oleic acid or triolein.
