Rice bran is an exceptional source of such antioxidant molecules as γ-oryzanol and ferulic acid, but their bioavailability and metabolism within this matrix remain unknown. The aims of this work were to describe the oral bioavailability and metabolic pathways of the ferulic acid-derived phenolic compounds contained in a rice bran enzymatic extract (RBEE), and to determine its effect on NADPH oxidase activity. Wistar rats were administered with RBEE and sacrificed at different times over a period of 24 h to obtain plasma. An additional group was used for collection of urine and faeces over a period of 48 h. The phenolic metabolites were determined by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), and plasma pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. In parallel, aortic rings were incubated in the plasma of rats sacrificed 30 min after RBEE gavage, or in the presence of RBEE, ferulic acid or γ-oryzanol. Endothelin-1-induced superoxide production was recorded by lucigenin-enhanced luminescence. Twenty-five ferulic acid metabolites showing biphasic behaviour were found in the plasma, most of which were found in the urine as well, while in the faeces, colonic metabolism led to simpler phenolic compounds. Superoxide production was abrogated by phenolic compound-enriched plasma and by RBEE and ferulic acid, thus showing the biological potential of RBEE as a nutraceutical ingredient.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.