Studies suggest a variety of biological effects for the isoflavonoid genistein, but there is little information regarding small intestinal absorption and metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the absorption and metabolism of luminally administered genistein in an isolated preparation of luminally and vascularly perfused rat small intestine. A synthetic perfusate free from blood components was used as vascular medium, with a perfluorocarbon as oxygen carrier. Luminal media consisted of a bicarbonate buffered sodium chloride solution spiked with genistein (12 mu mol/L). Viability was maintained during the entire perfusion as indicated by no significant differences between genistein and control perfusions for perfusion pressure, lactate-pyruvate ratio, oxygen uptake and acid-base homeostasis. Luminal disappearance rate of genistein did not change throughout the entire perfusion time. After a significant increase until about 30 min, vascular appearance rate of total genistein reached an equilibrium. The intestinal absorption of luminally administered genistein was 40.6%, corresponding to an average uptake of 2.9 nmol . min(-1) . g dry intestin(-1). The majority (31.3%) of the absorbed genistein appeared as genistein glucuronide, also recovered as the main metabolite on the luminal side (13.3%). Only small amounts of genistein (2.6%) and genistein glucuronide (2.9%) were found in the intestinal tissue. The results demonstrate a favorable uptake of genistein, a pertinent addition to the ongoing discussion about health benefits of isoflavones.
