Studies on Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanosides. II. Aspects of anthocyanins pharmacokinetics in the rat.

Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanins adminstered by i.v. or i.p. route to the rat undergo a rapid body distribution and in part also are easily eliminated such as to fit a three-compartments pharmacokinetic model. The anthocyanins elimination occurs mostly through urine and bile. The slight difference between the amount of anthocyanins eliminated after i.v. and after i.p. application shows a modest liver extracion of these substances. Vaccinium myrtillus anthocyanins possess a greater affinity for some tissues, namely kidneys and skin rather than for plasma. This fact could explain the long-lasting activity of anthocyanins on capillary resistance which is still elevated when plasma levels of these substances are no more detectable.