Digestion and Absorption of Ferulic Acid Sugar Esters in Rat Gastrointestinal Tract

Abstract

We estimated the absorption site and absorptivity of ferulic acid (FA) and its sugar esters, namely 5-O-feruloyl-l-arabinofuranose (FAA) and feruloyl-arabinoxylan (FAXn), in rats on the basis of their recovery in intestinal content and feces by comparing the values with those of a nonabsorbable marker, poly R-478. The results indicated that free FA was absorbed almost completely before reaching cecum. About 40% of dietary FAA was absorbed in rat foregut and 57% disappeared in the cecum. In contrast, about 67% of the FA moiety in FAXn was released and then disappeared predominantly in the hindgut. These results suggested that the existing form of FA in diets affects its absorptivity, its absorption site, and its ensuing fate in the gastrointestinal tract. Those ingested FAs esterified with saccharides; especially, polysaccharides have to transit the hindgut where FA might be released and then absorbed and/or degraded by microflora in lumen. Such microbial degradation may be an important factor affecting the bioavailability of dietary FA.

Ferulic acid and derivatives: molecules with potential application in the pharmaceutical field

“…Studies in humans and rats showed that after oral intake of FA, the most abundant metabolites generated in plasma were FA-glucuronide (FA conjugate with glucuronic acid) and FA-sulfoglucuronide (FA conjugate with sulfate and glucuronide) in addition to unmodified FA. The studies indicated that concentrations of metabolites derived from FA ingestion are a function of several factors such as the dose and route administered, as well as the animal species (Zhao et al, 2003(Zhao et al, , 2004.…”

“…Studies have shown a high FA absorption rate, with peak plasma concentration attained within 15-30 min after administration of FA. Only 0.5-0.8% is found in feces of mice (Zhao et al, 2003). After absorption, about 50% of FA reaches the liver, and the remainder is distributed in the bloodstream, gastric mucosa and peripheral tissues (Adam et al, 2002;Zhao et al, 2004;Silberberg et al, 2006).…”

“…Studies in humans and rats showed that after oral intake of FA, the most abundant metabolites generated in plasma were FA-glucuronide (FA conjugate with glucuronic acid) and FA-sulfoglucuronide (FA conjugate with sulfate and glucuronide) in addition to unmodified FA. The studies indicated that concentrations of metabolites derived from FA ingestion are a function of several factors such as the dose and route administered, as well as the animal species (Zhao et al, 2003(Zhao et al, , 2004.Free phenolic acids can be absorbed via paracellular transport and active transport mediated by monocarboxylic acids transporters (MCT) in the gastrointestinal mucosa. According to Konishi et al (2006) the absorption efficiency of each phenolic acid depends on its affinity for the MCT.…”

Effect of Orally Administered Microencapsulated FA-Producing L. fermentum on Markers of Metabolic Syndrome: An In Vivo Analysis

“…Keeping this in mind, we propose that FA can be used to modulate a number of biomarkers related to metabolic syndrome, specifically cardiovascular diseases, T2DM and obesity ( Figure 7). Unfortunately, the oral delivery of free FA is hampered by its quick absorption in the jejunum, followed by its rapid excretion [36]. It has been demonstrated in a number of recent studies that some GIT bacterial strains produce FAE, an enzyme that can produce FA from natural substrates.…”

Anthocyanin Profiling and Radical Scavenging Activity of Selected Pigmented Rice Varieties

“…Phenolic compounds in grains include derivatives of benzoic and cinnamic acids, anthocyanidins, quinones, flavonols, chalcones, flavones, flavanones, and amino phenolic compounds (Shibuya et al 1984;Oste et al 1991;Kroon et al 1999;Zhao et al 2003). Grains contain tocotrienols and tocopherol, and rice contains oryzanols.…”