Surgical damage to intestinal lacteals prevents chylomicrons from entering the lymphatic system. Which systemic effect is most likely to follow?

• A. Development of hyperaminoacidemia due to enhanced co-transport of peptides with untransported chylomicrons into systemic veins, increasing plasma protein synthesis and masking any lipid-related symptoms.
• B. Immediate rerouting of chylomicrons through the portal vein to the liver with no physiological consequence because the vascular endothelium permits chylomicron-sized particles to pass freely into portal circulation.
• C. Decreased delivery of dietary long-chain triglyceride–derived lipids to peripheral tissues via chylomicrons, resulting in reduced postprandial plasma chylomicron concentrations and impaired peripheral lipid availability; this can cause fat malabsorption symptoms despite intact micelle formation and enterocyte reassembly.
• D. A compensatory increase in biliary bile salt secretion that dissolves chylomicrons in the lumen and allows absorption of intact lipoproteins directly into the systemic arterial circulation via the intestinal brush border.

Answer: (C)