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Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Using Caco-2 Cells to Study Lipid Transport by the Intestine
Published on: August 20, 2015
Effect of glycerophospholipid class on the beta-carotene uptake by human intestinal Caco-2 cells
Eiichi Kotake-Nara1, Lina Yonekura, Akihiko Nagao
1National Food Research Institute, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Abstract:
The effects were evaluated of various glycerophospholipids on the uptake of beta-carotene solubilized in mixed micelles by human intestinal Caco-2 cells. Phosphatidylethanolamine markedly enhanced the transfer of beta-carotene from the micelles to the cells, whereas phosphatidylcholine suppressed it. All the lysoglycerophospholipids enhanced the transfer, irrespective of the polar head group. Glycerophospholipids therefore have the potential to modify the intestinal absorption of carotenoids.
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