| 摘要: | 本研究主要探討人體對葉綠素之代謝與吸收情形。本研究共招募 8 位健康受試者。每位受試者均攝取 1 公斤新鮮菠菜，於進食後 3 小時內收集血液樣品，並凍乾。血液以丙酮萃取，並將萃取液濃縮，以RP-HPLC 系統在 A445 nm 下進行葉綠素相關化合物(Chorophyll - related compounds；CRCs) 成份分析。結果顯示在人體血液中， 其CRCs 是以脫鎂葉綠素 a (Pheophytin a；Phe a) 及脫植醇脫鎂葉綠素 a (Pheophorbide a；Pho a) 形式存在。因此，推論人體可代謝並吸收經攝食獲得的葉綠素 (Chl)。
相較於動物體內其它營養素而言，葉綠素之極性較低，因此進入動物體後，可能循脂質之代謝途徑，轉變成為脫鎂葉綠素(Pheophytin；Phe ) 及脫植醇脫鎂葉綠素 (Pheophorbide；Pho )。菠菜中 Chl a 及b 的含量約為 2.5：1。葉綠素 (Chl) 在胃中經胃液作用後，會先脫去鎂離子形成脫鎂葉綠素 (Phe)，接著進入小腸被黏膜細胞吸收後，透過肝門靜脈到達肝臟，並在此與菠菜本身含有的脫植醇脫鎂葉綠素 (Pho)，一起釋放至血液中，而後運送至體內其它組織及臟器。
此研究已證實經由攝食所獲得之葉綠素可以被人體吸收，並顯示血液中主要的 CRCs 為脫鎂葉綠素 (Phe) 與脫鎂脫醇葉綠素 (Pho) 。未來將進一步探討 CRCs 在體內是否扮演特定的生物功能，並期望能架構出 CRCs 在人體完整之代謝途徑。
The aim of this study was to find out the possibility of the
metabolism of chlorophylls (Chls) in human. In the study, eight healthy
subjects were recruited, and one kg of fresh spinach was consumed by
each one. After 3 hours of consuming spinach, the blood sample from
each subject was collected and freeze-dried.The sample was then
extracted with acetone and concentrated, followed by analyzing
chlorophyll - related compounds (CRCs) using high performance liquid
chromatography. The results show that Pheophytin (Phe a) and
Pheophorbide (Pho a) are the major CRCs in human’s blood. Metabolism
and absorption in humans may be obtained by ingestion of chlorophylls.
Compared with other nutrients in mammal, the polarity of Chls is
relatively low. Therefore, Chls in mammal may be converted into Phes
and Phos, similar to lipid metabolic pathway. The ratio of Chl a and b
content in spinach is 2.5 to 1. Chls may be directly transformed to Phes
in human stomach under acid environment, and then transported to
liver and small intestine. Phes are further converted into Phos, and
released into the bloodstream, followed by transporting to other tissues
and organs in human.
This study confirmed that the chlorophyll obtained by ingestion
can be absorbed by human body. Phe and Pho are the two major CRCs
in blood. A research related to CRCs that play specific biological
functions and metabolic pathways in humans will be conducted in
the near future. |
