Studies on Lymphatic Absorption of 1', 2'-(³H)-Coenzyme Q₁₀ in Rats

The intestinal absorption of 1', 2', -(3H)-coenzyme Q10 (3H-Q-10) was studied in rats with cannulated thoracic duct and the effect of surface-active agents on the lymphatic absorption of 3H-Q-10 was determined. The amount of radioactivity absorbed via lymphatics during the first 48 hr was 1 % of the dose after oral administration of 3H-Q-10 dissolved in sesame oil or 20 mM sodium taurocholate, and was 1.5% of the dose of 3H-Q-10 dissolved by HCO-60. Assuming that the amount of radioactivity recovered from urine (0.481%) and liver (0.004%) might come from the radioactivity absorbed via portal vein, the total amount of the radioactivity absorbed via portal vein and lymphatics was approximately 2% of the dose of 3H-Q-10 dissolved by HCO-60 and the main route in absorption of 3H-Q-10 was lymphatics. The model for lymphatic absorption of 3H-Q-10 was proposed by kinetic analysis of the data.