ABSTRACT-PURPOSE.Lutein is a carotenoid mainly found in green leafy vegetables and is located in the macula lutea in the human eye. Since humans cannot synthesize lutein de novo, it must be digested as food. The physiological importance of an orally administered compound depends on its interaction with target tissues. It is therefore important to clarify the absorption mechanism in the intestine. Cholesterol membrane transporters Niemann-Pick C1 Like 1 (NPC1L1) and scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1) are involved in the intestinal absorption of highly lipophilic compounds including cholesterol. Ezetimibe, a selective inhibitor of intestinal NPC1L1, is the widespread lipid-lowering agent. It is important to investigate the possibility of food-drug interactions in order to prevent undesirable and harmful clinical consequences. The aim of this work was to determine whether NPC1L1, SR-B1 and other transporters are involved in absorption of lutein. METHODS. Caco-2 cells were used for accumulation and permeability study of lutein. Lutein concentration was determined by an HPLC system. The cDNA of transporters was isolated from total RNA of Caco-2 cells, and the expression of these transporters was confirmed by RT-PCR (reverse transcription -polymerase chain reaction). RESULTS. Ezetimibe inhibited up to 40% of lutein accumulation by Caco-2 cell monolayers. Block lipid transport 1 (BLT-1), a selective chemical inhibitor of SR-B1, also inhibited lutein accumulation by Caco-2 cells. On the other hand, ATP-depletion reagents (sodium fluoride and sodium azide or carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone) did not influence the accumulation or permeation of lutein significantly. CONCLUSIONS. The results show that lutein absorption is, at least in part, mediated by influx transporters NPC1L1 and SR-B1 rather than mediated by efflux transporters such as ABC (ATP-binding cassette) transporters.
Lutein is a carotenoid found mainly in green leafy vegetables and is located in the macula lutea in the human eye. An intake of lutein as food is needed since humans cannot synthesize it de novo. Although lutein has received much attention recently due to its antioxidant activities, little information about the pharmacokinetic properties of lutein is available. Lutein emulsion formulation was used and the pharmacokinetics of lutein emulsion after oral administration to rats was investigated. The bioavailability of lutein using this formulation was calculated to be 5.20%. It was found that a large amount of lutein was accumulated in the intestinal mucosa. The absorption of orally administered compounds in the intestine can be enhanced by interaction with food or food components. Thus, the effect of food intake on the intestinal absorption of lutein was investigated. The plasma concentration of lutein after oral administration of the emulsion formulation was improved significantly by food intake. It is possible that the absorption of lutein in the intestine is improved significantly by some food components. Bile acids may also play important roles in the intestinal absorption of lutein since the absorption of lipophilic compounds such as cholesterol is related to bile acids. The results of these studies should contribute to an improvement of lutein absorption and provide important information for obtaining more effective pharmacological effects of lutein.
Production of free radical species in cells and body tissues is known to cause many pathological disorders. Therefore, free radical scavengers play an important role in the prevention of various human diseases. Bamboo grass, Sasa senanensis, is a native Japanese plant. Sasa has been used for medicine in Japan for many centuries. In this study, we investigated the antioxidative activity of Absolutely Hemicellulose Senanensis (AHSS), a novel extract from Sasa. In the first part of this study, we found that AHSS has antioxidant activities by the assay using superoxide anion-2-methyl-6-methoxyphenylethynylimidazopyrazynone (MPEC) reaction kit. We then confirmed its antioxidative activity using a rat ischemia and subsequent reperfusion (I/R) injury model. Breakdown of the intestinal wall caused by intestinal I/R was attenuated by pretreatment with AHSS. Moreover, AHSS inhibited the production of lipid peroxide by intestinal I/R. AHSS could be an important source of ingredients for use in functional foods and other applications.
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