Pharmacokinetics of avenanthramides (AV) from AV‐enriched malted oats in healthy older adults

Avenanthramides (AV) are a unique group of phytochemicals found in oat bran. In vitro studies show both purified AV and concentrated oat AV mixtures have anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory activity, suggesting they may have similar effects in vivo if they are sufficiently bioavailable. The bioavailability of purified AV was previously confirmed in both hamsters and humans. However, their bioavailability from an AV-enriched oat bran product, produced via a proprietary malting technology, was unknown. To determine the bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of AV from AV-enriched oat bran, we conducted a placebo-controlled, crossover study in 10 healthy adults, age 50–70 y with BMI 18.5–29.9. After a 2-d run-in period following a diet absent oats and oat products, subjects consumed either a muffin made with 20 g AV-enriched oat bran (containing 45 mg AV) or a placebo muffin absent oats, with a 1 wk washout period between each intervention. Blood samples were collected at specified time points before and up to 24 h after muffin consumption for determination of 6 AV analogues. Preliminary results following consumption of the AV-enriched oat bran muffin by 6 subjects indicate the maximal plasma concentration (Cmax) and time to reach Cmax (Tmax) of total AV were 32.0 ± 16.1 ng/mL at 1.9 ± 0.4 h, respectively, with marked variation between subjects. These data suggest that AV from malted oat bran are bioavailable in healthy older adults. (Supported by USDA and AAFC)