Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry-guided visualization analysis of intestinal absorption of acylated anthocyanins in Sprague-Dawley rats.

It is unknown whether intestinal absorption of acylated anthocyanins occurs in their intact or metabolized form. In this study, with the aid of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) imaging, intestinal absorption of acylated anthocyanins was visually investigated. Anthocyanin extracts from purple carrots were orally administered to Sprague-Dawley rats. Acylated cyanidins were absorbed into portal and circulating blood systems in their intact form, and aglycon; cyanidin 3-O-(6-O-feruloyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-(1 → 6)-[β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 → 2)]-β-d-galactopyranoside (Cy3XFGG), and showed a high absorption of 39.3 ± 0.1 pmol/mL-plasma at 60 min after administration. MALDI-MS imaging analysis of the rat jejunum membranes showed that an organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) transporter was involved in Cy3XFGG transport, while deacylated anthocyanins were incorporated through both the glucose transporter 2 and OATP routes. In conclusion, acylated anthocyanin, Cy3XFGG, can be absorbed in its intact form through intestinal OATP.