Ferulic acid (FA) is one of the most abundant phenolic antioxidants in the human diet. Many studies have documented its beneficial properties. It is therefore essential to understand the absorption and metabolism of FA in detail. The purpose of this study was to confirm the hypothesis that FA is absorbed in rat stomach and metabolized mainly in the liver. We determined the recovery of FA and its metabolites (FA sulfate/glucuronides) in rat gastric contents, gastric mucosa, portal vein plasma, celiac arterial plasma, bile, and urine after 2.25 micromol FA was administered in 0.5 mL physiological saline and incubated for 25 min in situ in the stomach of rats. Within 25 min, 74 +/- 11% of the administered FA disappeared from the stomach; later, FA was recovered in both free and conjugated forms in plasma, bile, and urine. On the other hand, only free FA was detected in the gastric contents and mucosa; it was also detected in the portal vein plasma as 49 +/- 5% of the total FA (all forms of FA). However, the proportion of free FA in the celiac arterial plasma, bile, and urine decreased to 5-8%. These results indicate that FA can be quickly absorbed from the rat stomach, and then is likely metabolized mainly in the liver. Such novel information would be helpful in the use of FA as a nutrient supplement. For example, oral administration of FA in capsule form or in a form bonded with sugar esters may provide a more appropriate concentration of FA in the circulation, which may improve its proposed efficacy in preventing chronic disease.