Differential elimination of synthetic butyric triglycerides in vivo: a pharmacokinetic study.

New butyrate derivatives were synthesized to investigate the residence time of potent butyric acid in vivo. These derivatives were triglycerides in which one, two, or three butyric acid molecules were bound to glycerol or to mono- and dipalmitic esters of glycerol. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that a constant plasma level of each compound was maintained for a long time; all molecules had identical volumes of distribution, but differed about their mean residence time. Triesters in which palmitic acid was present displayed no toxicity and seemed to be even more stable in the organism; this may be due to their adsorption on the tissue. Other triglycerides constituted by butyric acid and various long fatty acids may be synthesized and useful in long-term clinical treatment.