ABSTRACT:␥-Tocotrienol (␥-T3) is a member of the vitamin E family that displays potent anticancer activity and other therapeutic benefits. The objective of this study was to evaluate ␥-T3 intestinal uptake and metabolism using the in situ rat intestinal perfusion model. Isolated segments of rat jejunum and ileum were perfused with ␥-T3 solution, and measurements were made as a function of concentration (5-150 M). Intestinal permeability (P eff ) and metabolism were studied by measuring total compound disappearance and major metabolite, 2,7,8-trimethyl-2-(-carboxy-ethyl)-6-hydroxychroman, appearance in the intestinal lumen. ␥-T3 and metabolite levels were also determined in mesenteric blood. The P eff of ␥-T3 was similar in both intestinal segments and significantly decreased at concentrations >25 M in jejunum and ileum (p < 0.05), whereas metabolite formation was minimal and mesenteric blood concentrations of ␥-T3 and metabolite remained very low. These results indicate that ␥-T3 intestinal uptake is a saturable carrier-mediated process and metabolism is minimal. Results from subsequent in situ inhibition studies with ezetimibe, a potent and selective inhibitor of Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) transporter, suggested ␥-T3 intestinal uptake is mediated by NPC1L1. Comparable findings were obtained when Madin-Darby canine kidney II cells that express endogenous NPC1L1 were incubated with increasing concentrations of ␥-T3 or ␥-T3 with increasing concentrations of ezetimibe. The present data show for the first time that ␥-T3 intestinal absorption is partly mediated by NPC1L1.