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Using Caco-2 Cells to Study Lipid Transport by the Intestine
Published on: August 20, 2015
Cow ghee as an efficient carrier to improve oral bioavailability of lutein
Ishani Bhat1, R J Madhura2, Murali Badanthadka2
1Nitte University Center for Science Education and Research (NUCSER), Nitte (Deemed to be University), Paneer Campus, Deralakatte, Mangaluru 575018, Karnataka, India.
Abstract:
In India, cow-ghee has been used in traditional medicinal preparations to solubilize lipophilic drugs and enhance intestinal absorption. However, reports exploring the role of cow-ghee, naturally rich in saturated fatty acids, in carotenoid chemistry is nil. We attempted to understand the influence of fatty-acid composition of cow-ghee and edible oils on intestinal absorption of lutein in mice. The postprandial plasma lutein level in the mice administered with cow-ghee significantly (p < 0.05) reached the maximum (Cmax-135.76 pmol/mL; AUC-592.80 pmol.h/mL) within 2 h (Tmax). Cow-ghee improved oral bioavailability of lutein by 2.02, 1.41 and 1.66 folds in comparison to control, olive oil and flaxseed oil respectively. Cow-ghee, composed of 69.28% saturated fatty-acids, has the potential to be a delivery vehicle for lutein as evidenced by higher postprandial triglyceride levels. This study is first of its kind which reports the influence of saturated fatty-acids on the oral bioavailability of lutein in an in-vivo system.
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