Influence of nutrients on the bioaccessibility and transepithelial transport of polybrominated diphenyl ethers measured using an in vitro method and Caco-2 cell monolayers

Abstract

Previous research has shown the absorption of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in the human gastrointestinal tract, but limited attention has been given to the influence of nutrients on PBDE absorption from food matrices. We investigated the effects of nutrients (oil, starch, protein, and dietary fiber) on the absorption and transport of PBDEs in a Caco-2 cell model and bioaccessibility of PBDEs by an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion method. The results showed that the accumulation ratios of PBDE congeners in Caco-2 cells were higher in the nutrient addition groups (oil: 26.7–50.6%, starch: 27.0–58.7%, protein: 12.1–44.1%, and dietary fiber: 28.2–55.1%) than the control group (7.17–36.1%), whereas the transport ratios were lower (oil: 2.30–7.20%, starch: 1.55–9.15%, protein: 1.04–8.78%, and dietary fiber: 0.85–7.04%) than control group (3.78–11.1%). Additionally, the PBDE bioaccessibility could be increased by adding the nutrients, particularly oil and starch. This study clarified the differences in PBDE absorption in the presence of nutrients using the in vitro digestion and Caco-2 cell model. The findings showed that nutrients were an important factor that promoted PBDE absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is important to focus on a novel dietary strategy of food consumption with contaminant compounds to protect human health.