TY - JOUR
T1 - Bioavailability of flavonoids
T2 - A review of their membrane transport and the function of bilitranslocase in animal and plant organisms
AU - Passamonti, Sabina
AU - Terdoslavich, Michela
AU - Franca, Raffaella
AU - Vanzo, Andreja
AU - Tramer, Federica
AU - Braidot, Enrico
AU - Petrussa, Elisa
AU - Vianello, Angelo
PY - 2009
Y1 - 2009
N2 - Fruits and vegetables are rich in flavonoids, and ample epidemiological data show that diets rich in fruits and vegetables confer protection against cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases, and cancer. However, flavonoid bioavailability is reportedly very low in mammals and the molecular mechanisms of their action are still poorly known. This review focuses on membrane transport of flavonoids, a critical determinant of their bioavailability. Cellular influx and efflux transporters are reviewed for their involvement in the absorption of flavonoids from the gastro-intestinal tract and their subsequent tissue distribution. A focus on the mammalian bilirubin transporter bilitranslocase (TCDB 2.A.65.1.1) provides further insight into flavonoid bioavailability and its relationship with plasma bilirubin (an endogenous antioxidant). The general function of bilitranslocase as a flavonoid membrane transporter is further demonstrated by the occurrence of a plant homologue in organs (petals, berries) where flavonoid biosynthesis is most active. Bilitranslocase appears associated with sub-cellular membrane compartments and operates as a flavonoid membrane transporter.
AB - Fruits and vegetables are rich in flavonoids, and ample epidemiological data show that diets rich in fruits and vegetables confer protection against cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and inflammatory diseases, and cancer. However, flavonoid bioavailability is reportedly very low in mammals and the molecular mechanisms of their action are still poorly known. This review focuses on membrane transport of flavonoids, a critical determinant of their bioavailability. Cellular influx and efflux transporters are reviewed for their involvement in the absorption of flavonoids from the gastro-intestinal tract and their subsequent tissue distribution. A focus on the mammalian bilirubin transporter bilitranslocase (TCDB 2.A.65.1.1) provides further insight into flavonoid bioavailability and its relationship with plasma bilirubin (an endogenous antioxidant). The general function of bilitranslocase as a flavonoid membrane transporter is further demonstrated by the occurrence of a plant homologue in organs (petals, berries) where flavonoid biosynthesis is most active. Bilitranslocase appears associated with sub-cellular membrane compartments and operates as a flavonoid membrane transporter.
KW - Bilitranslocase
KW - Bioavailability
KW - Flavonoids
KW - Mammals
KW - Membrane transporters
KW - Plants
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=68349144331&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2174/138920009788498950
DO - 10.2174/138920009788498950
M3 - Article
C2 - 19519345
AN - SCOPUS:68349144331
VL - 10
SP - 369
EP - 394
JO - Current Drug Metabolism
JF - Current Drug Metabolism
SN - 1389-2002
IS - 4
ER -