Toydemir, GamzeLoonen, Linda M. P.Venkatasubramanian, Prashanna BalajiMes, Jurriaan J.Wells, Jerry M.De Wit, Nicole2021-02-192021-02-1920210308-81461873-7072https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.128261https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12868/436Coffee induces a health-promoting adaptive response of cells in the body. Here, we investigated enterocyte responses to AHR agonists in coffee and measured their transport across a polarized intestinal epithelium. AHR-activating potencies of Turkish, filter, and instant coffee were determined using DR CALUX (R) bioassay, before and after intestinal metabolization by Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, effects of coffee on induction of AHRand Nrf2-pathway genes in Caco-2 cells were evaluated by real-time qPCR. Coffee samples showed considerable AHRactivating potencies in DR CALUX (R) bioassay (up to 79% of positive control activity). After incubation with Caco2 cells, AHR activity of different coffees was between 35 and 64% of their initial value, suggesting rapid uptake and metabolization by epithelial cells. Expression of AHR-regulated gene CYP1A1 increased up to 41-fold and most Nrf2-pathway genes were up-regulated by coffee. This in vitro study may support the notion that coffee bioactives contribute to antioxidant defense and detoxification processes in vivo.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessCoffeeAHRNrf2DR CALUX (R)Caco-2Real-time qPCRArticle10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.12826134133038802Q1WOS:000602307500007Q1