Absorption of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate into rat portal vein.

Following oral administration of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate to rats, the presence of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate was examined in the portal blood. A compound present in the blood was identified as (-)-epigallocatechin gallate by HPLC and mass spectrometry analysis. The results clearly demonstrate that (-)-epigallocatechin gallate is absorbed, at least in part, into rat portal blood.