Enteroendocrine cells and lipid absorption

Purpose of review To examine recent papers linking enteroendocrine cells to lipid absorption. Recent findings Specific inactivation of the proendocrine transcription factor neurogenin 3 (Ngn3) in the intestine leads to a loss of enteroendocrine cells, growth retardation, impaired lipid absorption and a high mortality during the weaning period. Furthermore, gain and loss of function experiments using mouse, hamster and primary enterocytes demonstrate that apoB-48-containing chylomicron formation and secretion may be regulated by enteroendocrine hormones. This seems to involve the multilineage scavenger receptor CD36, glycosylation of which is indirectly stimulated by enteroendocrine hormones. Summary Hormones and peptides secreted by enteroendocrine cells are well known for their effect on food intake and appetite, the regulation of glucose homeostasis, gut motility, and various other physiological functions. What can now be added to this list is that they also influence lipid absorption, which opens up new opportunities to develop treatments for people suffering from overweight and its associated metabolic disorders.