Caco-2细胞模型用于乳源ACE抑制肽LL、LPEW的小肠吸收研究

通过建立并验证Caco-2细胞模型,分析血管紧张素转化酶(angiotensin-I converting enzyme,ACE)抑制肽LL、LPEW在小肠中的转运量,研究LL、LPEW的小肠吸收机制。从细胞形态、跨膜电阻和碱性磷酸酶活性3个方面验证Caco-2细胞模型可用性。分析ACE抑制肽LL、LPEW的Caco-2细胞转运量,LL的表观渗透系数(P_(app))为(275.17±8.28)×10~(-7 )cm/s,肠道吸收良好;LPEW的P_(app)为(5.13±1.49)×10~(-7) cm/s,相比于LL,肠道吸收量较低。加入旁路转运促进剂去氧胆酸钠、内吞抑制剂渥曼青霉素(Wortmannin)、肽转运载体竞争性抑制剂Gly-Pro,对比无抑制剂时LL的转运量,分析得到LL的跨膜转运机制可能为内吞途径。加入ATP能量生成抑制剂叠氮化钠、多药耐药蛋白抑制剂MK-571、P-糖蛋白抑制剂维拉帕米,对比无抑制剂时肽LL的转运量,得出LL没有外排作用,所以LL肠道吸收较好。     

白杨素及其衍生物在Caco-2细胞模型中的转运规律

目的 研究白杨素（chrysin,ChR）及其衍生物6,8-二-三氟甲基-7-乙酰氧基白杨素（dFMAChR）在人源结肠腺癌细胞系Caco-2细胞单层模型的转运规律.方法 建立精确灵敏、重复性好的ChR及dFMAChR的高效液相色谱（HPLC）检测方法;MTT（四甲基偶氮唑盐）法测定ChR和dFMAChR对Caco-2细胞的毒性作用.体外培养Caco-2细胞,用Transwell建立单层细胞模型;确定ChR和dFMAChR转运的最佳pH条件.评价时间、浓度对dFMAChR和ChR的双向转运的影响,计算转运速率及表观渗透系数（Papp）,并与阳性对照药普萘洛尔进行比较.结果 ChR和dFMAChR的转运最佳介质pH分别为6.0和6.5,两者的转运无论是Apical侧（A侧）到Basolateral侧（B侧）还是B侧到A侧,均具有时间依赖性和浓度依赖性.ChR和dFMAChR的平均Papp （A-B）分别是（1.60±0.15）×10-6 cm/s和（10.63±0.35）×10-6 cm/s,平均Papp （B-A）分别是（1.22±0.17）×10-6 cm/s和（10.43±0.28）×10-6 cm/s,两者Papp （A-B） ＞Papp （B-A）,且Papp （A-B） /Papp（B-A） ＜2.结论 在Caco-2模型中,dFMAChR和ChR均由被动扩散方式转运,dFMAChR的转运速率明显高于ChR,吸收接近普萘洛尔,属于吸收良好的化合物.     

马氏珠母贝高F值寡肽在Caco-2细胞中吸收的初步研究

采用Caco-2单层细胞模型体外模拟马氏珠母贝高F值寡肽(PHFP)小肠吸收,研究结果显示:无论是AP面→BL面还是BL面→AP面,PHFP的吸收量均呈增加趋势。添加P-糖蛋白的专属抑制剂维拉帕米后,AP→BL的渗透系数由原来的6.83×10-7cm/min提高到8.16×10-7cm/min,而BL→AP渗透系数由8.84×10-7cm/min降低到2.20 10-7cm/min,说明PHFP溶液在Caco-2细胞中的转运存在外排泵的作用。并且,PHFP在Caco-2细胞转运过程中被细胞中所存在的代谢酶所代谢,而添加维拉帕米后,PHFP的代谢量有所降低。     

Caco-2细胞模型构建及抗高血压肽VPP和IPP小肠吸收机制研究

Caco-2细胞模型为小肠内皮细胞转运模型,本实验构建Caco-2细胞模型并研究抗高血压肽Val-Pro-Pro（VPP）和Ile-Pro-Pro（IPP）的小肠吸收机制。从细胞形态、电阻值和荧光素钠透过率等方面验证了Caco-2细胞模型;通过转运时间、肽浓度、吸收抑制剂和促进剂比较了VPP和IPP的小肠转运途径及外排机制。结果表明：构建的Caco-2细胞模型可用于VPP和IPP的模拟小肠吸收机制研究;VPP和IPP的小肠转运途径是旁路转运,VPP和IPP都存在外排泵的作用,IPP外排作用没有VPP大,所以生物利用度高于VPP。     

转运葡萄糖苷类化合物的Caco-2细胞模型建立

建立转运葡萄糖苷类化合物的Caco-2细胞模型,为葡萄糖及葡萄糖苷类化合物肠道吸收研究提供基础.通过对Caco-2细胞最适培养基的选择、单层致密性的测定、单层通透性和细胞两侧碱性磷酸酶活性比的测定、单层亚显微结构的观察、细胞葡萄糖转运蛋白SGLT1和GLUT2的mRNA及蛋白表达水平的分析,建立可靠的细胞模型.研究表明:Caco-2细胞的最适培养基为添加体积分数15％血清的DMEM低糖培养基;Caco-2细胞在14～17 d的跨膜电阻趋于稳定,苯酚红的表观渗透系数达到0.49×10-6～0.51×10-6 cm·s-1,微绒毛分化成熟,细胞两侧碱性磷酸酶比值达到2.0以上.葡萄糖转运载体SGLT1的mRNA表达在14 d时显著高于17 d和21 d,葡萄糖转运载体SGLT1和GLUT2的蛋白表达在14、17、21 d无显著差异(P<0.05).Caco-2细胞培养14～17 d即可建立可靠的肠细胞吸收模型,用于葡萄糖及葡萄糖苷类化合物吸收的体外研究.     

Caco-2细胞模型快速培养法的建立与评价

Caco-2细胞模型可用于预测各种途径的食品营养物质吸收,被普遍用于营养物质开发的早期快速筛选过程中。传统Caco-2单层细胞模型的建立通常需要培养21 d,本研究建立一种快速培养Caco-2单细胞层的方法以缩短实验周期、降低成本。采用向标准培养基中添加生长因子的方法培养Caco-2细胞,分别研究细胞模型跨膜电阻值(TEER)、亲水标志物的渗透性、关键蛋白基因的表达、细胞膜特征形态等评价模型的完整性。表明快速培养法(9 d)获得的Caco-2模型跨膜电阻值(TEER)220Ω·cm2;漏出标志物荧光黄表观分配系数为(0.39±0.15)×10-6 cm/s;肠腔侧(apical,AP)/基底侧(Basolateral,BL)碱性磷酸酶活力比值为5.481±0.5304,单细胞层极性分化明显;q RT-PCR检测细胞单层关键蛋白质(P-gp、MRP2)的m RNA表达量快速法同标准培养法无显著差异。此法仅需9 d即可形成完整Caco-2细胞模型。结论是向标准培养基中添加生长因子的Caco-2细胞模型快速培养法可推广。     

Caco-2细胞模型评价食品功能因子的吸收、代谢及其功能研究进展

Caco-2细胞源自于人结肠癌细胞系，其表现出许多与小肠上皮细胞相似的特性，具有微绒毛结构、刷状边缘以及细胞间紧密连接等，是目前应用最广泛、最经典的模型之一。近年来，随着细胞培养技术的发展，通过体外细胞培养来评价食品功能因子的吸收、代谢机制及其功能成为研究热点。本文从Caco-2细胞模型的建立和评估方法入手，对功能食品提取物在Caco-2细胞中的抗炎、抗氧化、抗增殖等功能性进行系统概述，再结合功能食品提取物在Caco-2细胞中的吸收、代谢、转运机制，对Caco-2细胞模型在共培养等方面的研究进行展望，以期改进Caco-2细胞模型的局限性，为进一步研发准确度高，材料成本低，更接近人体内部环境的细胞培养模型奠定基础。     

脱脂米糠可溶性膳食纤维对小肠葡萄糖吸收和转运的影响及其作用机制

目的:探讨绿色木霉发酵法制备的脱脂米糠可溶性膳食纤维(soluble dietary fiber from defatted rice bran,DRB-SDF)对小肠葡萄糖吸收和转运的影响及其作用机制。方法:以Caco-2细胞为研究对象,分别建立葡萄糖吸收和转运模型,设置正常组、阳性阿卡波糖对照组(25μg/mL)以及DRB-SDF低、中、高(2、4、8 mg/mL)剂量组。在DRB-SDF作用一定时间后,采用CCK-8法检测Caco-2细胞活力、氧化酶-偶联比色法检测葡萄糖质量浓度、酶活力检测试剂盒测定α-葡萄糖苷酶活力、逆转录实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应测定α-葡萄糖苷酶以及SGLT-1、GLUT-2和Na~+-K~+-ATP酶mRNA的表达水平。结果:DRB-SDF质量浓度小于8 mg/mL时对Caco-2细胞增殖未产生显著影响。相比于正常组,DRB-SDF低、中、高剂量组葡萄糖吸收和转运水平均被抑制,并呈浓度依赖性。DRB-SDF作用后,Caco-2细胞α-葡萄糖苷酶活力明显被抑制,同时α-葡萄糖苷酶、SGLT-1、GLUT-2和Na~+-K~+-ATP酶mRNA的表达水平均显著下降(P0.05)。结论:DRB-SDF可能通过抑制α-葡萄糖苷酶活性,降低小肠上皮细胞葡萄糖转运载体蛋白SGLT-1、GLUT-2和Na~+-K~+-ATP酶mRNA的表达,抑制碳水化合物水解,占据葡萄糖的吸收位点等途径,延缓小肠葡萄糖的吸收和转运,最终降低餐后高血糖。     

基于Caco-2细胞单层与大鼠小肠模型的大豆皂苷Ⅰ和Ⅱ经上皮传递的变化研究

利用Caco-2细胞单层与大鼠小肠模型研究大豆皂苷Ⅰ和Ⅱ的吸收变化与机制。在Caco-2细胞单层中,大豆皂苷Ⅰ和Ⅱ从肠腔侧到基底侧的表观渗透系数（apparent permeability coefficients,Papp）随时间的延长趋向平稳,前120 min近似线性,且随浓度增大,斜率减小,Papp值分别为（1.02×10－6～3.41×10－6）cm/s和（0.9×10－6～3.05×10－6） cm/s;传递的饱和性、双侧Papp比率＞1.5以及线粒体呼吸链抑制剂叠氮化钠的抑制作用表明了两者的主动转运机制。抑制剂维拉帕米没有提高大豆皂苷Ⅰ和Ⅱ的吸收,排除了p-糖蛋白介导的外排;吸收促进剂按照冰片＞脱氧胆酸钠＞卡波姆934P＞聚山梨酯80的强弱提高两者的吸收,壳聚糖则未能加强渗透。跨膜转运也表现出组织差异性：两者在大鼠空肠的Papp是十二指肠和回肠的2 倍多。因此,控制的传递应能提高大豆皂苷Ⅰ和Ⅱ的小肠吸收以便两者实施它们的生理功能。     

卵黄高磷蛋白磷酸肽在Caco-2细胞单层模型中的促钙转运作用

结合高温低压处理、胰蛋白酶和嗜热菌蛋白酶复合酶解制备具有高钙结合能力的卵黄高磷蛋白磷酸肽(Phosvitin phosphopeptides,PPP)。通过优化确定制备PPP-Ca的最佳条件为pH 9.5,多肽与钙质量比7∶1,此条件下钙螯合率达到97%,PPP-Ca在模拟胃肠道消化中显示了极高的稳定性。使用Caco-2细胞单层模型验证PPP-Ca在体外的钙转运作用,通过细胞形态、电阻值和荧光素钠透过率等验证Caco-2细胞模型,毒性实验(MTT)结果显示PPP-Ca对Caco-2细胞呈现低毒性作用。研究PPP-Ca和PPP对Caco-2细胞转运钙离子质量浓度和碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase,AKP)活性的影响,采用RT-PCR测定Calbindin D9K mRNA的相对表达量。结果表明,PPP和PPP-Ca能够显著提高AKP活性,钙转运量从(3.06±0.08)μg增到(5.66±0.62)μg,Calbindin D9K mRNA的表达量增加2倍,进而增强人体肠道中钙的转运吸收。研究结果为开发新的钙补充剂和卵黄高磷蛋白提供了科学证据。     

Theaflavins,dimeric catechins,inhibit peptide transport across Caco-2 cell monolayers via down-regulation of AMP-activated protein kinase-mediated peptide transporter PEPT1

In the small intestine, peptide transporter 1 (PEPT1) plays a role in the transport of di- and tripeptides. In this study, we investigated whether theaflavins (TFs) affect the absorption of small peptides in human intestinal Caco-2 cells, since TFs do not penetrate through the cells and might be involved in intestinal transport systems. In transport experiments, the transport of glycyl-sarcosine (Gly-Sar, a model molecule for PEPT1 transport) and other dipeptides (Val-Tyr and Ile-Phe) were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in TFs-pretreated cells. In TF 3′-O-gallate-pretreated cells, Western blot analysis revealed attenuated expression of PEPT1 transporter and Gly-Sar transport was completely ameliorated by 10 μM Compound C, an AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibitor. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that TFs inhibit peptide transport across Caco-2 cell monolayers, probably through suppression of AMPK-mediated PEPT1 expression, which should be considered a new bioactivity of TFs in black tea.     

应用Caco-2细胞模型评价真菌毒素毒性研究进展

真菌毒素是一些病原真菌在侵染作物过程中产生的次级代谢产物, 许多食品和饲料在生产、加工、贮存和流通过程中都有可能受到真菌毒素的污染。人和动物摄入真菌毒素后, 体内能够引发多种生理毒性反应, 如肝肾毒性、致癌性、肠道损伤及炎症、中枢神经系统异常、生殖紊乱等。肠上皮细胞是分隔机体内部环境与外界的屏障, 在真菌毒素的毒性评价中, 对真菌毒素引起肠上皮细胞损伤的评价是一个重要方面。人结肠癌Caco-2细胞系常用于建立体外肠道屏障模型, 该模型可应用于体外评价药物或毒素在小肠粘膜或上皮的吸收转运效率, 以及对肠道屏障功能的影响。本文综述了Caco-2细胞单层模型的建立和评价指标, 应用该模型评价几种常见真菌毒素对肠上皮细胞的运输、屏障功能的影响, 以及肠上皮细胞毒性等研究进展, 为进一步研究多种真菌毒素对肠上皮损伤的机制提供支持。     

纳米乳液提高氧化白藜芦醇口服生物利用率及透皮吸收效率

本研究制备纳米乳液改善氧化白藜芦醇在水溶液中的溶解性能,通过体外药物溶出实验、脂解实验、Caco-2跨膜细胞转运实验、透皮吸收实验评价了纳米乳液对氧化白藜芦醇生物利用率的改善效果。结果表明:氧化白藜芦醇纳米乳液和氧化白藜芦醇化合物自身的生物利用率在进食状态下分别为61.22%和23.47%,禁食状态下为56.12%和22.45%。纳米乳液使氧化白藜芦醇在小肠上皮细胞的扩散速度由中速上升至快速,扩散形式为被动渗透,表观渗透系数Papp(AP-BL)值1.69×10^-5 cm/sec,Papp(BL-AP)值8.94×10^-6cm/sec,ER=Rpapp(AP-BL)/(BL-AP)=1.89。6 h时氧化白藜芦醇纳米乳液和化合物的经皮扩散透过量分别为51.76和5.73μg/cm^2 skin。结论:氧化白藜芦醇纳米乳液比化合物本身的生物利用率提升了3倍,显著提升氧化白藜芦醇在小肠上皮细胞内的吸收转运量(提升2~4倍)和透皮吸收效率(p<0.05),本实验为氧化白藜芦醇的应用奠定研究基础,为其有效地发挥生物活性提供理论依据。     

Bog Bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) Extract Reduces Cultured Hep-G2, Caco-2, and 3T3-L1 Cell Viability,Affects Cell Cycle Progression,and Has Variable Effects on Membrane Permeability

ABSTRACT: Bog bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum L.) is a blue-pigmented edible berry related to bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and the common blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a bog bilberry anthocyanin extract (BBAE) on cell growth, membrane permeability, and cell cycle of 2 malignant cancer cell lines, Caco-2 and Hep-G2, and a nonmalignant murine 3T3-L1 cell line. BBAE contained 3 identified anthocyanins. The most abundant anthocyanin was cyanidin-3-glucoside (140.9 ± 2.6 μg/mg of dry weight), followed by malvidin-3-glucoside (10.3 ± 0.3 μg/mg) and malvidin-3-galactoside (8.1 ± 0.4 μg/mg). Hep-G2 LC50 was calculated to be 0.563 ± 0.04 mg/mL, Caco-2 LC50 was 0.390 ± 0.30 mg/mL and 0.214 ± 0.02 mg/mL for 3T3-L1 cells. LDH release, a marker of membrane permeability, was significantly increased in Hep-G2 cells and Caco-2 cells after 48 and 72 h compared to 24 h. The increase was 21% at 48 h and 57% at 72 h in Caco-2 cells and 66% and 139% in Hep-G2 cells compared to 24 h. However, 3T3-L1 cells showed an unexpected significant lower LDH activity (P ≤ 0.05) after 72 h of exposure corresponding to a 21% reduction in LDH release. BBAE treatment increased sub-G1 in all 3 cell lines without influencing cells in the G2/M phase. BBAE treatment reduced the growth and increased the accumulation of sub-G1 cells in 2 malignant and 1 nonmalignant cell line; however, the effect on membrane permeability differs considerably between the malignant and nonmalignant cells and may in part be due to differences in cellular membrane composition.     

鳕鱼皮胶原蛋白肽在Caco-2细胞单层模型中的吸收机制

目的：鳕鱼皮胶原蛋白肽（cod skin collagen peptide,CSCP）对肝损伤具有较好的保护作用,但其吸收机制尚不明确,本实验拟采用人结肠腺癌Caco-2细胞单层模型对CSCP在肠道中的吸收机制进行研究,为CSCP在动物肠道内的吸收机制提供依据。方法：在进行转运实验前,先对CSCP在人工胃、肠液、不同pH值条件及在Caco-2细胞单层中的稳定性进行评价;采用CCK-8（cell counting kit-8）法确定CSCP在转运实验中的最高质量浓度,然后建立Caco-2细胞单层模型并测定跨膜电阻值和碱性磷酸酶活力以检验细胞单层的致密性、完整性和极化现象;考察转运时间、CSCP质量浓度、维拉帕米、MK-571、氧化苯砷和去氧胆酸钠对转运的影响,利用高效液相色谱法检测CSCP质量浓度并计算累积转运量和表观渗透系数。结果：在3 h内,CSCP在人工胃、肠液及接近胃肠道pH值环境中基本保持稳定,转运过程中未见多肽发生水解。CSCP的转运具有时间和浓度依赖性,不受维拉帕米和氧化苯砷的影响,去氧胆酸钠和MK-571对CSCP的转运具有非常显著的促进作用（P＜0.05）。结论：CSCP跨Caco-2细胞单层转运的机制为细胞旁路途径,其外排受到多药耐药蛋白的介导。     

Transport of bovine milk-derived opioid peptides across a Caco-2 monolayer

The transepithelial transport of μ-opioid (MOP) receptor agonists, i.e., bovine β-casomorphin-5 and -7 (derived from β-casein) and an antagonist, i.e., casoxin-6 (derived from κ-casein) were investigated using a human intestinal cell (Caco-2) monolayer. To determine the transport pathway of the peptides across Caco-2 monolayers, two directions of the transport (apical-to-basolateral and basolateral-to-apical) were studied. All investigated peptides were transported across Caco-2. The cumulative fractions of transported peptides were increased linearly in time in each case. The permeability coefficients (P_aap) calculated for all peptides in two transport directions ranged between 0.57 and 9.21 × 10^?6 cm min^?1. These data suggest the possibility of transport of opioid peptides derived from food across human intestinal mucosa.     

Production and transepithelial transportation of angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptides from whey protein hydrolyzed by immobilized Lactobacillus helveticus proteinase

Lactobacillus helveticus LB 10 proteinases immobilized with sodium alginate were used to hydrolyze whey protein to produce angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory peptides. The generated hydrolysates were tested for ACE-inhibitory activity and for their ability to be transported across Caco-2 cell monolayers. Using a response surface method, we determined that a proteinase concentration of 7.55 mg/mL, sodium alginate concentration of 2.03 g/100 mL, and glutaraldehyde concentration of 0.39% were found to be the optimal immobilization conditions. Compared with free proteinase, the immobilized proteinase had significantly higher pH, thermal and storage stability, and reusability. Whey protein hydrolysates were fractionated by gel filtration chromatography and ACE-inhibitory peptide mixtures were transported across Caco-2 cell monolayers in a human intestinal-absorption model. The di- and tripeptides KA, EN, DIS, EVD, LF, AIV, and VFK (half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (mean ± standard deviation) of 1.24 ± 0.01, 1.43 ± 0.04, 1.59 ± 0.27, 1.32 ± 0.05, 1.60 ± 0.39, 2.66 ± 0.02, and 1.76 ± 0.09 mmol/L, respectively) were detected on the basolateral side of the Caco-2 cell monolayer using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. These results highlight that ACE-inhibitory peptides are present on the basolateral side of the Caco-2 cell model after transportation of whey protein hydrolysate across the Caco-2 cell membrane.     

基于Caco-2细胞的外源核酸吸收模型的建立及其吸收机制

基于人结肠癌细胞系Caco-2细胞建立外源核酸的吸收模型,并在此模型的基础上探究质粒DNA的肠道吸收机制。在Transwell孔膜上培养Caco-2细胞21 d后,通过透射电子显微镜观察细胞形态、监测培养期间跨膜电阻（transepithelial electrical resistance,TEER）值、测定荧光黄透过率评价细胞模型是否成功建成;通过细胞毒性实验探究质粒对细胞生长的影响;将质粒DNA加入细胞模型中进行双向转运实验,探究质粒的肠道吸收规律;在低温和添加特异性抑制剂条件下进行质粒转运实验,进一步推测质粒的肠道吸收机制。结果表明,细胞分化形态良好、TEER值及荧光黄表观透过系数（apparent permeability coefficient,Papp）均符合要求,细胞模型可用于转运实验;质粒对细胞生长无显著抑制作用,可用于转运实验;随着时间的延长,质粒在模型两方向上的转运均呈逐渐饱和趋势,Papp（肠腔侧（apical,AP）→基底侧（basolateral,BL））远大于Papp（BL→AP）,提示质粒的转运受到某种载体蛋白的介导,膜介导的跨细胞运输方式可能参与其中;在低温和添加特异性抑制剂条件下,质粒的转运均受到显著抑制,进一步表明该过程是一个跨细胞方式的主动运输过程。     

利用大米固态发酵生产球孢白僵菌的工艺优化

以孢子粉含孢量、含水量及活孢率为质量指标,以单位质量基质产孢数为产量指标,对大米固态发酵生产球孢白僵菌高孢粉的发酵条件进行优化。结果表明,发酵条件为:接种量15%(v/w),初始基质含水量40%,培养温度25℃,环境湿度前4d为100%,中间3d为80%,后3d为60%,培养10d。此条件下,孢子粉含孢量达到(1.93±0.08)×10~(11)g~(-1),含水量为(10.4±1.1)%,活孢率为(97.3±2.1)%,单位质量大米孢子粉产量达到(41.6±2.0)×10~(11)kg~(-1)。     

Flavonoids alter P-gp expression in intestinal epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo

Flavonoids are secondary plant metabolites included in our diet but are also provided in a growing number of supplements. They are suggested to interact with intestinal transport systems including phospho-glycoprotein (P-gp) which mediates the efflux of a variety of xenobiotics back into the gut lumen. In human intestinal Caco-2 cells, we tested the effects of 14 different flavonoids on P-gp expression in vitro. Protein expression levels were quantified by Western blotting, flow cytometry, and real-time PCR. Except apigenin, all flavonoids at concentrations of 10 microM increased P-gp expression in Western blotting experiments when cells were exposed to the compounds over 4 wk. Flavone was one of the most effective P-gp inducers in Caco-2 cells and its effects were, therefore, also assessed for changes in P-gp in vivo in the gastrointestinal tract of C57BL/6 mice. P-gp expression was significantly increased by flavone (400 mg/kg body weight x day over 4 wk) in the small intestine but not in the colon which displayed intrinsically the highest expression level. In conclusion, the increase in P-gp expression caused by flavonoids in intestinal epithelial cells in vitro and also in vivo may serve as an adaptation and defense mechanism limiting the entry of lipophilic xenobiotics into the organism.