Effect of medium chain fatty acids on cytoskeleton of human intestinal epithelial (CACO-2) cells

摘要

It is known that medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) enhance the absorption of hydrophilic and poorly absorbed drugs into the body through the intestinal tract. Although the mechanism has not been clarified completely yet, it could e related to the cell signaling pathways and the change in the cytoskeleton. The morphological change in the actin filaments of the human intestinal epithelial (Caco-2) cells was observed when the cell monolayers were emerged with one of MCFA, decanoic acid (C10) and the extent of the change was quantified by an image anlaysis. We also observed less extent of the change when adding an antagonist to inhibit the effect by C10. The extent of change would be related to the absorption enhancement by C10.