(−)-Epigallocatechin
gallate (EGCG) is prone to microbial
metabolism when reaching the colon. This study aimed to develop a
human physiologically based kinetic (PBK) model for EGCG, with sub-models
for its colonic metabolites gallic acid and pyrogallol. Results show
that the developed PBK model could adequately predict in vivo time-dependent blood concentrations of EGCG after either the single
or repeated oral administration of EGCG under both fasting and non-fasting
conditions. The predicted in vivo blood C
max of EGCG indicates that the Nrf2 activation is limited,
while concentrations of its metabolites in the intestinal tract may
reach levels that are higher than that of EGCG and also high enough
to activate Nrf2 gene transcription. Taken together, combining in vitro data with a human PBK model allowed the prediction
of a dose–response curve for EGCG-induced Nrf2-mediated gene
expression in humans and provided insights into the contribution of
gut microbial metabolites to this effect.
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