Transport via Niemann-Pick C1 Like 1 contributes to the intestinal absorption of ubiquinone.

Ubiquinone, which is a component in the electron-transport systems of mitochondria, is essential for various activities related to energy metabolism, but the detailed absorption mechanism of ubiquinone is not clear. On the other hand, Niemann-Pick C1 Like 1 (NPC1L1) is involved in the intestinal absorption of fat-soluble components such as cholesterol. In this study, we investigated whether the intestinal absorption of ubiquinone was transported by NPC1L1 as is cholesterol.

An Approach to Improve Intestinal Absorption of Poorly Absorbed Water-Insoluble Components via Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1.

Dietary and biliary cholesterol absorption contributes to the maintenance of tight control of cholesterol homeostasis. Cholesterol is present as mixed micelles formed by bile salts and phospholipids in the intestinal lumen. Recently, Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) transporter was identified as being critical for cholesterol absorption.