The Effect of Physical Properties of Lipid Emulsions on Gastrointestinal Function

The mechanisms by which food structure impacts on lipid digestion and the subsequent metabolic processes, including the impact on satiety and satiation, are relatively unexplored, but may have great consequences on the development of effective strategies for weight management. Data from previous studies suggest that (i) the droplet size of a fat emulsion has a distinct influence on GI function and visceral perception (ii) that the biomechanical and digestive properties of the human gut may induce micro structural changes to specifically designed lipid emulsions resulting in different patterns of lipolysis.

The study will assess the effects of triglyceride emulsion with different particle (0.6, 30 μm) sizes and sensitivities to the acidic and shear environment of the stomach on GI function and the kinetics of endocrine and satiation response.

In this study healthy participants will be studied on four occasions on four separate days in a double blind randomized design. The assessment of gastric function will be monitored by novel MRI techniques and breath tests and neurohormonal response by blood sampling.

Inclusion criteria

• Body mass index (BMI): 18.5-24.9 kg/m2,
• Able to communicate well with the investigators
• Provide written consent

Exclusion criteria

General exclusion criteria:

• Psychiatric (DSM IV) disorders limiting the ability to comply with study requirements
• Epilepsy
• Presence of metallic implants, devices or metallic foreign bodies
• Use of medications influencing upper GI motility within one week of the study (i.e. calcium channel blockers, prokinetic drugs, macrolide antibiotics)
• Evidence of current drug or alcohol abuse
• Previous history of gastrointestinal disease or surgery of the upper GI tract except appendicectomy or hernia repair
• Pregnancy and lactation period