Absorption and metabolism of genistin in the isolated rat small intestine

Uptake and intestinal metabolism of physiologically active genistin were st udied in an ex vivo intestinal perfusion model; luminally applied concentra tions were 5.9, 12.0, and 23.8 mu mol/l. The intestinal absorption of genis tin was 14.9% (+/- 2.3, n = 9), irrespective of the amounts applied. The ma jority of the absorbed genistin appeared as genistein glucuronide (11.6%), also recovered as the main metabolite on the luminal side (19.5%). Minor am ounts of genistin (1.3%) and genistein (1.9%) were found on the vascular si de, whereas 15.4% of applied genistin was luminally cleaved to yield genist ein, Sulfate derivatives of genistein or genistin were not observed. (C) 20 00 Federation of European Biochemical Societies, Published by Elsevier Scie nce B.V. All rights reserved.