Iberian pig as a model to clarify obscure points in the bioavailability and metabolism of ellagitannins in humans
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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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”
From Regulation of Intestinal Barrier Function by Microbial Metabolites (2021) · cites this paper as [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”
From Regulation of Intestinal Barrier Function by Microbial Metabolites (2021) · cites this paper as [132]
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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
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- 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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