Background/Aims: The absorption of β-carotene is closely associated with the absorption of dietary fats in the duodenum. Aim of the study was to evaluate two different surfactants, taurocholate and Pluronic L-81, which are known to stimulate or inhibit the absorption of dietary fats, respectively with regard to the absorption of β-carotene and tissue accumulation of β-carotene and vitamin A. Methods: Rats were kept on a vitamin-A- deficient diet for 4 weeks and then either kept on this diet or fed this diet enriched with β-carotene (200 mg/kg feed) alone or in combination with taurocholate (10 g/kg) or Pluronic L-81 (5 ml/kg) for another two weeks. Results: β-carotene was not detectable in liver or plasma of rats fed the deficient diet. The supplementation of β-carotene alone led to an increase of β-carotene in plasma and organs (p < 0.05) and resulted in an increase of vitamin A in the liver (p < 0.01), indicating its conversion. The addition of taurocholate enhanced the absorption of β-carotene (p < 0.01), but had little affect on the levels of total vitamin A in the liver. In contrast, Pluronic L-81 caused a reduced uptake of β-carotene as indicated by lower concentrations in plasma and liver (p < 0.01) as well as reduced total vitamin A levels in the liver (p < 0.01) either caused by the reduced availability of β-carotene or a reduced conversion into vitamin A. Conclusions: The study shows that surfactants can modulate β-carotene absorption differently. The results for taurocholate confirm known observations concerning an enhanced absorption of β-carotene. Pluronic L-81 might diminish the uptake of β-carotene into the enterocyte, which would be in disagreement with regard to its function in the absorption of total lipids in general, or might effect the excretion into the blood by modulation chylomicron secretion.

Keywords:
β-carotene, Vitamin A, Taurocholate, Pluronic, Accumulation, Rat
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel
2002
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.