Effect of the co-occurring components from green tea on the intestinal absorption and disposition of green tea polyphenols in Caco-2 monolayer model

This study aimed to investigate the effect of co-occurring components from green tea on the intestinal absorption and disposition of green tea polyphenols (GTPs) using the Caco-2 cell monolayer model. The absorption and secretion transport of the four GTPs, in the form of individual pure compounds, pure compound mixtures and green tea extract, were studied in the Caco-2 cell model. Four GTPs and their metabolites were analysed by HPLC/MS and HPLC coupled with electrochemical detector. The apparent permeability coefficients (P-app) of each compound, as well as the metabolites (mainly sulfation and methylation conjugates) generated, were compared for the different dosing formulations utilized. The results showed that the absorption transport of the four GTPs in different dosing formulations was similar. However, the secretion transport profiles of (-)-epicatechin (EC), (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) and (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) were altered when the GTP mixture was administered. It was suggested that transporter competition resulting in reduced efflux of EC, as well as metabolic competition resulting in reduced formation of EGC sulfate and methylated EGC sulfate, might be involved during the secretion transport of GTP mixture.