title: Differential effects of flavonoids on barrier integrity in human intestinal Caco-2 cells.
abstract: Flavonoids, present in fruits, vegetables, and teas, provide beneficial effects for our health. We investigated the effect of a number of flavonoids on tight junction (TJ) barrier integrity in human intestinal Caco-2 cells. Transepithelial electrical resistance (TER; a TJ integrity marker) across cell monolayers was measured in cells incubated with flavonoids for 24 h. Chrysin decreased the TER, indicating a decrease in TJ integrity. Daidzein, hesperetin, naringenin, and morin increased the TER, indicating increased TJ integrity. Luteolin and genistein increased or normalized the TER after a transient decrease. Immunoblot analysis revealed that these changes in TER were caused by modification of the cytoskeletal association and expression of TJ proteins, zonula occludens (ZO)-1, ZO-2, occludin, junctional adhesion molecule-1, and/or claudins. Our results suggest that various flavonoids participate in the regulation of intestinal TJ barrier integrity and that this regulation may partially contribute to the flavonoid-mediated biological effects on our health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biofunctional Science and Technology, Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, 1-4-4 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8528, Japan.
authors.forename: Sakino
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Noda
authors.forename: Soichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tanabe
authors.forename: Takuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D019108:Tight Junctions / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids