Cited by 352Pomegranate: compositions and health benefitsPhytochemicals and Antioxidant ActivitiesTannin, Tannase and Anticancer Activities

Iberian pig as a model to clarify obscure points in the bioavailability and metabolism of ellagitannins in humans

Espín, Juan Carlos, González-Barrio, Rocío, Cerdá, Begoña, López-Bote, Clemente, Rey, Ana I., Tomás-Barberán, Francisco A.·2007·Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Abstract

Ellagitannin-containing foods (strawberries, walnuts, pomegranate, raspberries, oak-aged wine, etc.) have attracted attention due to their cancer chemopreventive, cardioprotective, and antioxidant effects. Ellagitannins (ETs) are not absorbed as such but are metabolized by the intestinal flora to yield urolithins (hydroxydibenzopyran-6-one derivatives). In this study, Iberian pig is used as a model to clarify human ET metabolism. Pigs were fed either cereal fodder or acorns, a rich source of ETs. Plasma, urine, bile, lumen and intestinal tissues (jejunum and colon), feces, liver, kidney, heart, brain, lung, muscle, and subcutaneous fat tissue were analyzed. The results demonstrate that acorn ETs release ellagic acid (EA) in the jejunum, then the intestinal flora metabolizes EA sequentially to yield tetrahydroxy- (urolithin D), trihydroxy- (urolithin C), dihydroxy- (urolithin A), and monohydroxy- (urolithin B) dibenzopyran-6-one metabolites, which were absorbed preferentially when their lipophilicity increased. Thirty-one ET-derived metabolites were detected, including 25 urolithin and 6 EA derivatives. Twenty-six extensively conjugated metabolites were detected in bile, glucuronides and methyl glucuronides of EA and particularly urolithin A, C, and D derivatives, confirming a very active enterohepatic circulation. Urolithins A and B as well as dimethyl-EA-glucuronide were detected in peripheral plasma. The presence of EA metabolites in bile and in urine and its absence in intestinal tissues suggested its absorption in the stomach. Urolithin A was the only metabolite detected in feces and together with its glucuronide was the most abundant metabolite in urine. No metabolites accumulated in any organ analyzed. The whole metabolism of ETs is shown for the first time, confirming previous studies in humans and explaining the long persistency of urolithin metabolites in the body mediated by an active enterohepatic circulation.

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Crossref · 10.1021/jf0723864

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  • Compared with ETs or EA, urolithins have a much higher rate of absorption most likely due to increased lipophilicity.

    “Compared with ETs or EA, urolithins have a much higher rate of absorption most likely due to increased lipophilicity.132”
  • The concentration of serum urolithins can reach up to micromolar levels without displaying toxicity in certain populations.

    “The concentration of serum urolithins can reach up to micromolar levels without displaying toxicity in certain populations.132,134,138,144,145”

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Authors
Espín, J. C., González-Barrio, R., Cerdá, B., López-Bote, C., Rey, A. I., & Tomás-Barberán, F. A.
Affiliations
  • Research Group on Quality, Safety and Bioactivity of Plant Foods, Department of Food Science and Technology, CEBAS-CSIC, P.O. Box 164, 30100 Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain; Department of Clinic Nutrition, UCAM, Murcia, Spain; and Department of Animal Production, Universidad Complutense, Madrid, Spain
  • Universidad Complutense de Madrid (ES)
Corresponding author
Tomás-Barberán, Francisco A.
Venue
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Published
2007-11-09
Volume
55
Issue
25
Pages
10476-10485
ISSN
  • 0021-8561 (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-5118
OpenAlex
W2091938378
Cited by
352
References
22
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 34 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 24 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 31 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 27 · 2012: 12
FWCI
10.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DIGITAL.CSIC (Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Pomegranate: compositions and health benefits
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry › Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology › Tannin, Tannase and Anticancer Activities
Keywords
ellagitannins, ellagic acid, urolithins, enterohepatic circulation, glucuronidation, acorns, bioavailability, tissue distribution, urolithin A, urolithin B, chemoprevention
MeSH terms
Animals, Biological Availability, Body Fluids, Edible Grain, Coumarins, Diet, Humans, Seeds, Swine, Tissue Distribution, Models, Animal, Quercus, Hydrolyzable Tannins

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