SYSTEMIC ABSORPTION, METABOLISM, AND BIOAVAILABILITY OF DIETARY PROCYANIDINS IN PIGS

Abstract

Procyanidins are oligomers of catechin and epicatechin and they can be found in a large number of foods including various fruits. The daily consumption is estimated to be in the range of approximately 50 mg. Procyanidins are described to exhibit beneficial health effects, however the knowledge about their absorption and metabolic fate is rather limited. To study the systemic absorption and metabolism of procyanidins a kinetic study with pigs was performed as they have a gastro-intestinal tract very similar to humans. After oral application of a procyanidin extract or a single dose of pure procyanidin B4 to pigs urine and plasma samples were collected and analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS. The results clearly indicate the absorption of low molecular weight procyanidins (dimers and trimers) in the nanomolar range and their metabolism to small phenolic degradation products during the passage of the gastro-intestinal tract.