Maltosine, a 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone derivative of lysine formed in the course of the advanced Maillard reaction, is an effective metal chelating agent. It therefore represents an interesting compound for the treatment of metal ion storage diseases. We synthesized 6-(3-hydroxy-4-oxo-2-methyl-4(1H)-pyridin-1-yl)-L-norleucine (free maltosine) and its dipeptide derivatives alanylmaltosine (Ala-Mal) and maltosinylalanine (Mal-Ala) and examined the transepithelial flux of these compound; across Caco-2 cells and their interaction with membrane transporters. Transepithelial flux of maltosine was significantly higher when added as Ala-Mal and Mal-Ala than in free form. Assays at Caco-2 cells and at HeLa cells expressing the human peptide transporter (hPEPT)1 revealed that Ala-Mal and Mal-Ala show medium to high affinity to the system. Only free but not peptide-bound maltosine inhibited the uptake of L-[H-3]lysine in Caco-2 and OK cells. Maltosine dipeptides were transported by hPEPT1 across cell membranes and accumulated in hPEPT1-transfected HeLa cells. In electrophysiological measurements at hPEPT1-expressing Xenopus laevis oocytes, Ala-Mal and Mal-Ala induced significant inward directed currents. We conclude that Ala-Mal and Mal-Ala are transported by hPEPT1 into intestinal cells and then hydrolyzed to free maltosine and alanine. The results suggest that the oral bioavailability of maltosine can be increased significantly by applying this drug candidate in peptide-bound form. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.