Concurrent measurement of unbound genistein in the blood, brain and bile of anesthetized rats using microdialysis and its pharmacokinetic application

Genistein, the major isoflavone in soybeans, has been shown to have a wide range of effects. We used an HPLC–UV combined with microdialysis method to detect unbound genistein in rat blood, brain and bile. Genistein dialysates were eluted with a mobile phase containing acetonitrile–water (40:60, v/v, pH 3.5 adjusted by 0.1% acetic acid). Samples were separated using a phenyl (5 μm) column maintained at ambient temperature. The UV detector wavelength was set at 259 nm. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min. The limit of quantitation for genistein was 50 ng/ml. The in vitro recoveries of genistein were 31 ± 1, 13 ± 1 and 59 ± 4% in microdialysis probes of blood, brain and bile, respectively (n = 4). Inter- and intra-assay accuracy and precision of the analysis were less than 10% in the concentration ranges of 0.05–5.0 μg/ml. A small ratio of genistein penetrates the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and goes through hepatobiliary excretion after genistein administration (10 or 30 mg/kg, i.v.). The brain-to-blood (AUCbrain/AUCblood) and bile-to-blood (AUCbile/AUCblood) distribution ratios were 0.04 ± 0.01 and 1.85 ± 0.42, respectively for the dosage of genistein 30 mg/kg. After co-administration of cyclosporine, a P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor, the distribution ratios of genistein in brain and bile were not significantly altered. These results suggest that the BBB penetration and hepatobiliary excretion of genistein may not regulated by P-gp.