Abstract: Medium-chain fatty acids（MCFA）are fatty acids composed of 6-10 carbons. Compared with long-chain fatty acids（LCFA），MCFA show substantial metabolic differences. In the presence of deficiency of pancreatic lipase or bile salt，MCFA can still be absorbed，and can be deliuered to the liver to have rapid metabolism through portal uein，with out being incorporated into chylomicrons in the enterooytes to enter blood circulation through lymphatic system. Thus，the diet or formula containing MCFA can be used for dietary control to alleviate the disease related to abnormal fat metabolism，such as long-chain fatty acid oxidation disorders，congenital generalized lipodystrophy and impaired lymphatic chylomicron transport.

Key words: medium-chain fatty acid, metabolism, long-chain fatty acid

摘要： 中链脂肪酸是由6~10个碳原子组成的一类脂肪酸，具有不同于长链脂肪酸的代谢途径及特点。在胰脂肪酶或胆汁盐缺乏的情况下，中链脂肪酸仍然可以被吸收，且可直接通过门静脉血流输送到肝脏被快速代谢，不需要在肠细胞内形成乳糜微粒经淋巴系统再入血液循环。因此，对于存在脂肪代谢异常相关的疾病，如长链脂肪酸氧化障碍、脂肪营养不良、淋巴乳糜微粒转运受损等，可通过中链脂肪酸替代大部分长链脂肪酸的膳食或配方来控制或缓解病情。

关键词: 中链脂肪酸, 代谢, 长链脂肪酸