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The bioavailability of α- and β-carotene is affected by gut microflora in the rat

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 March 2007

P. Grolier ,
P. Borel ,
C. Duszka ,
S. Lory ,
M. C. Alexandre-Gouabau ,
V. Azais-Braesco  and
L. Nugon-Baudon
P. Grolier*
Affiliation:
Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine de Clermont-Ferrand, Unité des Maladies Métaboliques et Micronutriments, INRA, Theix, 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
P. Borel
Affiliation:
Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine de Clermont-Ferrand, Unité des Maladies Métaboliques et Micronutriments, INRA, Theix, 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
C. Duszka
Affiliation:
Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine de Clermont-Ferrand, Unité des Maladies Métaboliques et Micronutriments, INRA, Theix, 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
S. Lory
Affiliation:
Unité d'écologie et Physiologie du Système Digestif, INRA, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas, Cedex, France
M. C. Alexandre-Gouabau
Affiliation:
Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine de Clermont-Ferrand, Unité des Maladies Métaboliques et Micronutriments, INRA, Theix, 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
V. Azais-Braesco
Affiliation:
Centre de Recherche en Nutrition Humaine de Clermont-Ferrand, Unité des Maladies Métaboliques et Micronutriments, INRA, Theix, 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
L. Nugon-Baudon
Affiliation:
Unité d'écologie et Physiologie du Système Digestif, INRA, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas, Cedex, France
*
*Corresponding author: Dr Pascal Grolier, fax +33 4 73 60 82 72, email [email protected]
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Abstract

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The present study examined whether the intestinal microflora could affect the bioavailability and vitamin A activity of dietary α- and β-carotene in the rat. In the first set of experiments, we used conventional, germ-free (axenic), and human-flora-associated (heteroxenic) rats. In a second series, conventional rats were treated with either an antibiotic mixture or a potent inhibitor of gastric secretion (Omeprazole). All animals were first depleted of vitamin A over 4 weeks and then were fed on a sterilized diet supplemented with 14 mg β-carotene and 3 mg α-carotene/kg for 2 weeks. In both experiments, a reduction in the intestinal microflora resulted in an increased storage of β-carotene, α-carotene and vitamin A in the liver. Neither the nature of the metabolism of the intestinal microflora (aerobic or anaerobic) nor treatment with omeprazole, to modify intestinal pH, induced a significant effect on the measured variables. When incubated with 15 μmol β-carotene/l for 72 h, neither the anaerobic nor the aerobic sub-fractions obtained from rat or human faeces contributed to β-carotene degradation or to vitamin A synthesis. These findings suggest that reduction in gut microflora results in a better utilization of α- and β-carotene by rats, although bacteria do not have a direct effect on the bioavailability of these pigments.

Keywords

CarotenoidsVitamin AGut microfloraBioavailability
Type
Research Article
Information
British Journal of Nutrition , Volume 80 , Issue 2 , February 1998 , pp. 199 - 204
Copyright
Copyright © The Nutrition Society 1998

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