In vivo study of the bioavailability and metabolic profile of (poly)phenols after sous-vide artichoke consumption

Artichokes are a rich source of (poly)phenols, mainly caffeoylquinic acids, but little is known about their bioavailability from this source. This study investigated the absorption, metabolism and excretion of (poly) phenols after sous-vide artichoke consumption (5776 mu mol of (poly)phenols) by healthy volunteers. Seventy-six (poly)phenol metabolites were identified by UHPLC-MS/MS using authentic standards, including acyl-quinic acids plus C-6-C-3, C-6-C-1, C-6-C-2, C-6-C-1-N, C-6-C-0 metabolites, and their phase-II conjugates. The major metabo-lites were 3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxycinnamic acid, 3'-methoxycinnamic acid-4'-sulfate, and 4'-hydroxycinnamic acid-3'-sulfate, which appeared early in plasma (T-max < 4 h); plus 3-(3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid, 3-(4'-methoxyphenyl)propanoic acid-3'-glucuronide, 3-(3'-hydroxyphenyl) propanoic acid and hippuric acids, which appeared later (Tmax > 6 h). The 24 h urinary recovery averaged 8.9% (molar basis) of the (poly) phenols consumed. Hepatic beta-oxidation of 3',4'-dihydroxycinnamic acid and methylated conjugates occurred, but was limited (<0.04%). 3'-Methylation exceeded 4'-methylation and interindividual variability was high, especially for gut microbial metabolites (up to 168-fold).

Automated summary

Artichokes are a rich source of polyphenols, with little known about their bioavailability. This study investigated the absorption, metabolism and excretion of polyphenols after sous-vide artichoke consumption by healthy volunteers. The major metabolites identified in plasma were 3'-methoxy-4'-hydroxycinnamic acid, 3'-methoxycinnamic acid-4'-sulfate, and 4'-hydroxycinnamic acid-3'-sulfate.