Effect of (+)-catechin on renal and intestinal transport

The ability of dog renal cortex slices to accumulate beta-methyl-glucoside or glycine is enhanced by the flavonoid (+)-catechin at a concentration of 3.5 mM. This stimulatory effect is apparently due to a decreased rate of efflux of either substrate. On the other hand, the uptake of p-amino-hippuric acid and N1-methyl-nicotinamide is inhibited by (+)-catechin. The drug at the same concentration is without action on amino-acid transport by guinea-pig intestine in vitro.