3.2.8. In Vitro Model of Human Intestinal Epithelium

Permeability and absorption rate of SRO (i.e., fatty acids), PAC and LYC were determined using an in vitro model of human intestinal epithelium based on Caco-2 cells. Briefly, Caco-2 cells are seeded on Transwell® polytetrafluoroethylene inserts (1 <sup>μ</sup>m pore size) at an initial density of 1.5 × 105 cells/cm2 and allowed to mature and differentiate for 21 days. Indeed, thanks to the compartmentalized nature of the Transwell® system (apical (or lumen) and basolateral (or serosal) compartment), Caco-2 cells differentiate, acquiring morphological and functional feature typical of enterocytes, as the presence of microvilli, tight junctions and P-glycoprotein. Absorption experiment were performed between 21 and 28 days post seeding.
