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PubMed2000

Serum vitamins, carotenoids, and angina pectoris: findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III.

PURPOSE: Whether various vitamins and carotenoids can protect against ischemic heart disease remains an unsettled question. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (1988-1994) and examined the associations between serum vitamins A, C, E, and B12, serum folate, red blood cell folate, serum carotenoids, and angina pectoris in a representative population-based sample of 11,327 men and women aged 35->90 years. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, sex, race or ethnicity, education, smoking status, systolic blood pressure, serum cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, history of diabetes mellitus, body mass index, and physical activity with multiple logistic regression analysis, no significant associations were present for any of the serum vitamin concentrations and angina pectoris. Significant linear trends were observed for serum concentrations of alpha-carotene (p < 0.001), beta-carotene (p = 0.026), and beta-cryptoxanthin (p = 0.003). Compared with participants with carotenoid concentrations in the lowest quartile, participants with concentrations in the highest quartile had odds ratios for angina pectoris of 0.45 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31-0.65), 0.57 (95% CI 0.38-0.86), and 0.57 (95% CI 0.38-0.84) for alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide little support for a cross-sectional association between angina pectoris and serum and red blood cell folate concentrations or concentrations of vitamins A, C, E, and B12. Several serum carotenoid concentrations were associated with a reduced risk for angina pectoris, however.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Influence of dietary vitamins A and E on serum alpha- and gamma-tocopherols, retinol, retinyl palmitate and carotenoid concentrations in Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti).

Serum retinol, retinyl palmitate, beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol were measured in 18 captive Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti) prior to and following the removal of Columbia River (CR) smelt (Thaleichthys pacificus) from the diet. Dietary vitamin A was reduced from 59.8 to 13.5 IU g-1 (dry matter basis) when CR smelt was removed from the diet. Minimal changes were noted in dietary vitamin E. Serum samples Without-CR smelt had significantly lower circulating retinol (1.19 +/- 0.09 vs. 1.94 +/- 0.08 micrograms ml-1) and retinyl palmitate (0.033 +/- 0.012 vs. 0.105 +/- 0.004 microgram ml-1) compared to samples With-CR. The Without-CR smelt diet resulted in increased serum alpha-tocopherol from 26.4 +/- 0.94 to 39.1 +/- 3.72 micrograms ml-1. More serum samples taken Without-CR smelt had detectable levels of gamma-tocopherol than those With-CR smelt. Serum lutein was higher for the samples taken Without versus With-CR smelt. Serum cryptoxanthin did not differ. beta-Carotene was not detected. Data indicate that high levels of dietary vitamin A can affect circulating levels of retinol, retinyl palmitate and vitamin E. Thus, dietary vitamin A and the interrelationship between vitamins A and E should be considered when assessing captive penguins.

Animal Feed↗
PubMed2002

Carotenol fatty acid esters: easy substrates for digestive enzymes?

To study the specificity of gastric lipases on carotenoid mono- and diesters, an enzymatic assay was applied. Digestions were carried out in phosphate buffer at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C. As substrates we employed oleoresins from marigold (Tagetes erecta L.; lutein diesters), red paprika (Capsicum annuum L., mainly capsanthin diesters), papaya (Carica papaya L.; beta-cryptoxanthin esters), and loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.; beta-cryptoxanthin esters) as well as retinyl palmitate. These were reacted with porcine pancreatic lipase, porcine pancreatin, porcine cholesterol esterase, and human pancreatic lipase. As reference enzyme a yeast lipase from Candida rugosa was applied. A high turnover could be observed with porcine pancreatic lipase and porcine cholesterol esterase, indicating cholesterol esterase to be a plausible candidate for generation of free carotenoids in the gut. Human pancreatic lipase accepted only retinyl palmitate as substrate, carotenoid mono- and diesters were not hydrolyzed. The assay permits an approach for calculation of enzymatic activities towards carotenoid esters as substrates for the first time, which is based on the amount of enzyme formulation, present in the assay (U/mg solid). Furthermore, these studies provide deeper insight into carotenoid ester bioaccessibility.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Anhydrolutein in the zebra finch: a new, metabolically derived carotenoid in birds.

Many birds acquire carotenoid pigments from the diet that they deposit into feathers and bare parts to develop extravagant sexual coloration. Although biologists have shown interest in both the mechanisms and function of these colorful displays, the carotenoids ingested and processed by these birds are poorly described. Here we document the carotenoid-pigment profile in the diet, blood and tissue of captive male and female zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Dietary carotenoids including: lutein; zeaxanthin; and beta-cryptoxanthin were also present in the plasma, liver, adipose tissue and egg-yolk. These were accompanied in the blood and tissues by a fourth pigment, 2',3'-anhydrolutein, that was absent from the diet. To our knowledge, this is the first reported documentation of anhydrolutein in any avian species; among animals, it has been previously described only in human skin and serum and in fish liver. We also identified anhydrolutein in the plasma of two closely related estrildid finch species (Estrilda astrild and Sporaeginthus subflavus). Anhydrolutein was the major carotenoid found in zebra finch serum and liver, but did not exceed the concentration of lutein and zeaxanthin in adipose tissue or egg yolk. Whereas the percent composition of zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin were similar between diet and plasma, lutein was comparatively less abundant in plasma than in the diet. Lutein also was proportionally deficient in plasma from birds that circulated a higher percentage of anhydrolutein. These results suggest that zebra finches metabolically derive anhydrolutein from dietary sources of lutein. The production site and physiological function of anhydrolutein have yet to be determined.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Phytochemical profiles and antioxidant activity of wheat varieties.

Whole grain consumption has been associated with reduced risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. These beneficial effects have been attributed to the unique phytochemicals of grains that complement those found in fruits and vegetables. Wheat is one of the major grains in the human diet; however, little is known about the inherent varietal differences in phytochemical profiles, total phenolic and carotenoid contents, or total antioxidant activities of different wheat varieties, which ultimately influence the associated nutritional and health benefits of wheat and wheat products. The objectives of this study were to determine the phytochemical profiles and total antioxidant activity for 11 diverse wheat varieties and experimental lines. The profiles included free, soluble-conjugated, and insoluble-bound forms of total phenolics, flavonoids, and ferulic acids and carotenoid content including lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin. The results showed that total phenolic content (709.8-860.0 micromol of gallic acid equiv/100 g of wheat), total antioxidant activity (37.6-46.4 micromol of vitamin C/g), and total flavonoid content (105.8-141.8 micromol of catechin equiv/100 g of wheat) did not vary greatly among the 11 wheat lines. However, significant differences in total ferulic acid content (p < 0.05) and carotenoid content (p < 0.05) among the varieties were observed, with carotenoid content exhibiting the greatest range of values. Carotenoid content among the 11 wheat varieties exhibited 5-fold, 3-fold, and 12-fold differences in lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin, respectively. A synthetic wheat experimental line, W7985, gave the lowest carotenoid concentrations of any of the genotypes in this study. Such large genotypic differences in carotenoid content may open up new opportunities for breeding wheat varieties with higher nutritional value.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2003

Influences of gamma-irradiation and storage on the carotenoids of sun-dried and dehydrated paprika.

The effects of drying methods, gamma-irradiation, and storage on the carotenoids (capsanthin, capsorubin, zeaxanthin, capsolutein, violaxanthin, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin) of paprika were investigated. Sun-dried and dehydrated paprika samples were irradiated in a (60)Co gamma-irradiator at five doses (0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 kGy) in polyethylene bags and stored for 10 months at ambient temperature. Individual carotenoid analyses were carried out on the paprika and fresh red pepper during a 2 month period using the reverse phase HPLC technique. The concentrations of capsanthin and capsorubin, which are responsible for the attractive red color of sun-dried paprika, were higher than those of dehydrated paprika. Higher irradiation doses and a longer storage period resulted in a significant (P < 0.01) reduction of all the carotenoids, except capsorubin. There was no significant (P < 0.05) effect of irradiation dose on capsorubin destruction. The decrease of red carotenoids, for all irradiation treatments, was less than that of the storage period. Even the highest irradiation dose, 10 kGy, caused a 11.1% capsanthin reduction; however, 10 months of storage at the ambient temperature caused a 42.1% reduction of capsanthin. Yellow pigments of paprika (zeaxanthin, capsolutein, violaxanthin, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin) were significantly (P < 0.01) decreased by all treatments. These yellow pigments were also found to be at high levels in those sun-dried samples with red pigments. This difference could be caused by the contribution of pigment biosynthesis during the sun-drying period. The most significant pigment reduction was realized in the processing and storage conditions of paprika, rather than in the irradiation process.

Capsicum↗
PubMed2003

Application of tristimulus colorimetry to estimate the carotenoids content in ultrafrozen orange juices.

Tristimulus Colorimetry was applied to characterize the color of Valencia late orange juices. Color measurements were made against white background and black background. The profile of the main carotenoids related to the color of the juices was determined by HPLC. Significant correlations (p < 0.05) between b*, Cab* and h(ab) and the content of beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein + zeaxanthin and beta-carotene were found. The correlations between the color parameters L*, a*, b*, Cab* and h(ab) and the carotenoids content were also explored by partial least squares. The results obtained have shown that it is possible to obtain equations, by means of multiple regression models, which allow the determination of the individual carotenoid levels from the CIELAB color parameters, with R2 values always over 0.9. In this sense, equations have been proposed to calculate the retinol equivalents (1 RE = 1 microgram retinol = 12 micrograms beta-carotene = 24 micrograms alpha-carotene = 24 micrograms beta-cryptoxanthin) of the orange juice analyzed as a function of the color parameters calculated from measurement made against white and black backgrounds. The average RE per liter of juice obtained by HPLC was 51.07 +/- 18.89, whereas employing these equations, average RE values obtained were 51.16 +/- 1.36 and 51.21 +/- 1.70 for white background and black background, respectively.

Beverages↗
PubMed2005

Phytochemicals and antioxidant activity of milled fractions of different wheat varieties.

The health-promoting effects of whole-grain consumption have been attributed in part to their unique phytochemical contents and profiles that complement those found in fruits and vegetables. Wheat is an important component of the human diet; however, little is known about the phytochemical profiles and total antioxidant activities of milled fractions of different wheat varieties. The objectives of this study were to investigate the distribution of phytochemicals (total phenolics, flavonoids, ferulic acid, and carotenoids) and to determine hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activity in milled fractions (endosperm and bran/germ) of three different wheat varieties, two of which were grown in two environments. Grain samples of each of the wheat varieties were milled into endosperm and bran/germ fractions. Each fraction was extracted and analyzed for total phenolics, ferulic acid, flavonoids, carotenoid contents, and hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidant activities. Total phenolic content of bran/germ fractions (2867-3120 micromol of gallic acid equiv/100 g) was 15-18-fold higher (p < 0.01) than that of respective endosperm fractions. Ferulic acid content ranged from 1005 to 1130 micromol/100 g in bran/germ fractions and from 15 to 21 micromol/100 g in the endosperm fractions. The bran/germ fraction flavonoid content was 740-940 micromol of catechin equiv/100 g. On average, bran/germ fractions of wheat had 4-fold more lutein, 12-fold more zeaxanthin, and 2-fold more beta-cryptoxanthin than the endosperm fractions. Hydrophilic antioxidant activity of bran/germ samples (7.1-16.4 micromol of vitamin C equiv/g) was 13-27-fold higher than that of the respective endosperm samples. Similarly, lipophilic antioxidant activity was 28-89-fold higher in the bran/germ fractions (1785-4669 nmol of vitamin E equiv/g). Hydrophilic antioxidant activity contribution to the total antioxidant activity (hydrophilic + lipophilic) was >80%. In whole-wheat flour, the bran/germ fraction contributed 83% of the total phenolic content, 79% of the total flavonoid content, 51% of the total lutein, 78% of the total zeaxanthin, 42% of the total beta-cryptoxanthin, 85% of the total hydrophilic antioxidant activity, and 94% of the total lipophilic antioxidant activity. Our results showed that different milled fractions of wheat have different profiles of both hydrophilic and lipophilic phytochemicals. These findings provide information necessary for evaluating contributions to good health and disease prevention from whole-wheat consumption.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2000

Carotenoid pigments in Rosa mosqueta hips, an alternative carotenoid source for foods.

Carotenoid composition has been investigated in Rosa mosqueta hips (Rosa rubiginosa, Rosa eglanteria). Six major carotenoids were identified (beta-carotene, lycopene, rubixanthin, gazaniaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin) together with other minor carotenoids (violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, and gamma-carotene). An average composition has been estimated as follows: beta-carotene (497.6 mg/kg of dry wt), lycopene (391.9 mg/kg of dry wt), rubixanthin (703.7 mg/kg of dry wt), gazaniaxanthin (289.2 mg/kg of dry wt), beta-cryptoxanthin (183.5 mg/kg of dry wt), zeaxanthin (266. 6 mg/kg of dry wt), and minor carotenoids (67.1 mg/kg of dry wt). Possible uses in food technology are outlined and discussed including the preparation of highly colored oleoresins as natural colorants of food and beverages and as provitamin A sources.

Carotenoids↗
PubMed2000

Xanthophyll esterification accompanying carotenoid overaccumulation in chromoplast of Capsicum annuum ripening fruits is a constitutive process and useful for ripeness index.

Changes in xanthophyll esterification degree during pepper fruit ripening have been studied in five cultivars (Numex, Mana, Belrubi, Delfin, and Negral). Esterification of xanthophylls with fatty acids is seen to be a process that is contemporary with and directly linked to the transformation of chloroplast (present in the green fruit) into chromoplast (present in the red fruit). Changes in the fractions of free and partially and totally esterified carotenoids are similar between varieties, reflecting the constitutive nature of esterification as part of the ripening process and being controlled by it. From the first stages of ripening, the fraction of totally esterified pigments (zeaxanthin diester, beta-cryptoxanthin diester, capsanthin diester, and capsorubin diester) makes up almost 50% of the total carotenoid content. The proportion of the partially esterified pigment fraction (zeaxanthin monoester, capsanthin monoester, and capsorubin monoester) in the total carotenoid content increases, with a gradual decrease in the fraction of free pigments (beta-cryptoxanthin, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, capsanthin, and capsorubin). In the fully ripe stage, a balance is reached between the three esterification fractions (free, partially esterified, and totally esterified), with mean values of 24.17 +/- 4.06, 31.48 +/- 4. 61, and 44.36 +/- 5.05, respectively, which seems to be largely independent of variety. This suggests a marked control of the carotenoid composition of the totally developed chromoplast, indicating its use as an index of ripeness. The inclusion in the present study of a variety (Negral) that retains chlorophylls when ripening, and which shows the same esterification behavior, supports the idea that carotenogenesis is normal and independent of chlorophyll catabolism.

Capsicum↗
PubMed1998

Relationships of serum carotenoids, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and selenium with breast cancer risk: results from a prospective study in Columbia, Missouri (United States)

To evaluate relationships of serum carotenoids, alpha-tocopherol, selenium, and retinol with breast cancer prospectively, we conducted a case-control study nested in a cohort from the Breast Cancer Serum Bank in Columbia, Missouri (United States). Women free of cancer donated blood to this bank in 1977-87. During up to 9.5 years of follow-up (median = 2.7 years), 105 cases of histologically confirmed breast cancer were diagnosed. For each case, two women alive and free of cancer at the age of the case's diagnosis and matched on age and date of blood collection were selected as controls. A nonsignificant gradient of decreasing risk of breast cancer with increasing serum beta-cryptoxanthin was apparent for all women. Serum lycopene also was associated inversely with risk, and among women who donated blood at least two years before diagnosis, a significant gradient of decreasing breast cancer risk with increasing lycopene concentration was evident. A marginally significant gradient of decreasing risk with increasing serum lutein/zeaxanthin also was apparent among these women. We did not observe any evidence for protective effects of alpha- and beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, retinol, or selenium for breast cancer. Results of this study suggest that the carotenoids beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, and lutein/zeaxanthin may protect against breast cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Validation of a food-frequency questionnaire assessment of carotenoid and vitamin E intake using weighed food records and plasma biomarkers: the method of triads model.

BACKGROUND: Reliability or validity studies are important for the evaluation of measurement error in dietary assessment methods. An approach to validation known as the method of triads uses triangulation techniques to calculate the validity coefficient of a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity of an FFQ estimates of carotenoid and vitamin E intake against serum biomarker measurements and weighed food records (WFRs), by applying the method of triads. DESIGN: The study population was a sub-sample of adult participants in a randomised controlled trial of beta-carotene and sunscreen in the prevention of skin cancer. Dietary intake was assessed by a self-administered FFQ and a WFR. Nonfasting blood samples were collected and plasma analysed for five carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene) and vitamin E. Correlation coefficients were calculated between each of the dietary methods and the validity coefficient was calculated using the method of triads. The 95% confidence intervals for the validity coefficients were estimated using bootstrap sampling. RESULTS: The validity coefficients of the FFQ were highest for alpha-carotene (0.85) and lycopene (0.62), followed by beta-carotene (0.55) and total carotenoids (0.55), while the lowest validity coefficient was for lutein (0.19). The method of triads could not be used for beta-cryptoxanthin and vitamin E, as one of the three underlying correlations was negative. CONCLUSIONS: Results were similar to other studies of validity using biomarkers and the method of triads. For many dietary factors, the upper limit of the validity coefficients was less than 0.5 and therefore only strong relationships between dietary exposure and disease will be detected.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Assessment of carotenoid status and the relation to glycaemic control in type I diabetics: a follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the carotenoid status in young type I diabetic patients and its relationship to the glycaemic control of the disease. DESIGN: A follow-up study. SETTING: Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Health Area VI of Madrid (Spain). SUBJECTS: Forty-seven type I diabetic patients, followed for 2.5 years. INTERVENTIONS: Coinciding with physical examination and laboratory tests, serum levels of carotenoids were analysed by HPLC, and dietary intake of carotenoids was evaluated by a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire and 3-day prospective dietary records. RESULTS: In type I diabetic patients, average intake, serum levels and correlations between diet and serum levels of carotenoids were comparable to those in reference non-diabetic groups. Between-subjects seasonal variations were observed for beta-cryptoxanthin intake and serum levels (higher in winter) and serum lycopene (higher in summer). Significant within-subjects seasonal changes were shown for dietary and serum beta-cryptoxanthin and serum beta-carotene. Serum carotenoids were unrelated to glycaemic control markers. Subjects with clinically acceptable glycaemic control showed lower lycopene intake than those with unacceptable control. Intake of carotenoids did not explain variance in insulin dose, fasting glycaemia, fructosamine or HbA1c. With the exception of lycopene, serum carotenoids were predicted by dietary intake, but in no case by fasting glycaemia, HbA1c or fructosamine. CONCLUSION: In type I diabetic patients, serum carotenoid concentrations and their variance are determined by dietary intake patterns, and are unrelated to the glycaemic control of the disease, as assessed by biochemical markers.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Carotenoids, retinol and tocopherols in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and their immediate relatives.

1. Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus are classified among the groups at risk for low vitamin status, and recent studies suggest that some degree of supplementation with antioxidants may be beneficial in helping to prevent certain long-term complications of diabetes mellitus. Our objective was to compare the status of the fat-soluble vitamins and antioxidant-related compounds in patients with well-defined insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus with that of their first-degree relatives, controlling seasonal and analytical variability as factors influencing the interpretation of the data. 2. Fifty-four patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, 214 non-diabetic, first-degree relatives (controls) and 236 unrelated controls were analysed for retinol, tocopherols (alpha and gamma) and main carotenoids in serum (beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene) by means of a validated HPLC method. 3. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was associated with lower retinol levels and higher levels of beta-carotene, alpha-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin than sex-matched, first-degree relatives. alpha-Tocopherol, the alpha-tocopherol/cholesterol ratio, gamma-tocopherol, lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene showed no differences. Retinol and beta-carotene were the variables most closely associated with diabetes. 4. Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus showed lower serum retinol status together with higher concentrations of provitamin-A carotenoids. Serum fat-soluble antioxidant levels were greater than or equal to those in controls. According to the serum status observed, individuals with diabetes do not require supplementation with alpha-tocopherol or carotenoids, although the need for retinol supplementation in patients with marginal serum levels should be evaluated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Carotenoids are decreased in biopsies from colorectal adenomas.

UNLABELLED: A lower intake of carotenoids is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. In order to take advantage of the chemopreventive properties of carotenoids, it is necessary to determine carotenoid concentration at the target tissue. As early stages in the adenoma-carcinoma sequence of colorectal cancer might be susceptible to chemoprevention, we sought to determine carotenoid concentrations in biopsies from colorectal adenomas. METHODS: Biopsies from colorectal adenomas and non-involved mucosa were taken from seven patients. For controls, biopsies were obtained from the ascending and descending colon of patients without polyps (n = 5). Concentration of carotenoids (alpha-, beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin) were determined by optimizing gradient HPLC-analysis. Results are expressed as pmol/microg DNA. RESULTS: Except for alpha-carotene, all carotenoids could reliably be detected in all specimens. In control patients carotenoid concentrations were highest in the ascending colon, being followed by the descending colon and non-involved mucosa from polyp-carriers. In colorectal adenomas all carotenoids were significantly reduced as compared to-non-involved mucosa (beta-carotene: 0.37 vs 0.19, P<0.03; lycopene: 0.34 vs 0.21, P<0.06, beta-cryptoxanthin: 0.14 vs 0.09, P<0.03, zeaxanthin: 0.18 vs 0.09, P<0.02; lutein: 0.18 vs 0.13,P <0.02). CONCLUSION: All carotenoids investigated are reduced in colorectal adenomas, suggesting that mucosal carotenoids could serve as biomarkers for predisposition to colorectal cancer. Moreover, anti-tumor activity exerted by carotenoids is limited due to mucosal depletion. We speculate that supplementation of a larger array of carotenoids might be beneficial for patients with colorectal adenoma.

Adenoma↗
PubMed2006

Longitudinal associations between body mass index and serum carotenoids: the CARDIA study.

Cross-sectional studies report an inverse association between BMI and serum carotenoid concentration. The present study examined the prospective association between BMI and the serum concentration of five carotenoids in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. Serum carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin/lutein, lycopene), BMI, dietary intake, physical activity and dietary supplement use were measured at years 0 and 7 in 3071 black and white male and female participants, who were either persistent smokers or non-smokers. Among non-smokers, year 0 BMI predicted year 7 serum carotenoid levels: obese subjects (BMI > or =30 kg/m2) had an average concentration of the sum of four carotenoids (alpha-carotene +beta-carotene + zeaxanthin/lutein+beta-cryptoxanthin) that was 22 % lower than the concentration among subjects with a BMI of less than 22 kg/m2. In contrast, the sum of carotenoids among smokers was only 6 % lower. Relationships between BMI and serum lycopene were weak. The change from year 0 to year 7 in serum carotenoids, except for lycopene, was inversely associated with the change in BMI among non-smokers but not among smokers. Parallel findings were observed for BMI and serum gamma-glutamyl transferase level. In summary, the observation that BMI predicted the evolution of serum carotenoids during a 7-year follow-up among young non-smoking adults is consistent with the hypothesis that carotenoids are decreased in protecting against oxidative stress generated by adipose tissue, while smokers maintain a minimal level of serum carotenoids independent of adiposity. The results for lycopene were, however, discordant from those of the other carotenoids.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Serum carotenoids and radiographic knee osteoarthritis: the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project.

OBJECTIVE: Antioxidant intake has been associated with less progression of radiographic knee osteoarthritis (OA), but studies of carotenoid biomarkers and OA have not been done. We examined associations between serum concentrations of nine naturally occurring carotenoids and radiographic knee OA. DESIGN: The study design was matched case-control. Sera were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography for nine carotenoids: lutein, zeaxanthin, alpha- and beta-cryptoxanthin, trans- and cis-lycopene, alpha-carotene, and trans- and cis-beta-carotene. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the association between tertiles of each carotenoid and radiographic knee OA, independent of body mass index, education, serum cholesterol, and the other carotenoids. SETTING: Johnston County, North Carolina, United States of America. SUBJECTS: Two-hundred cases with radiographic knee OA (Kellgren-Lawrence grades > or = 2) and 200 controls (Kellgren-Lawrence grade = 0) were randomly selected from the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project, and were matched on age, gender and race. RESULTS: Participants with serum levels of lutein or beta-cryptoxanthin in the highest tertile were approximately 70% less likely to have knee OA than controls (odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 0.28 [0.11, 0.73] and 0.36 [0.14, 0.95], respectively). Those in the highest tertile of trans-beta-carotene (OR = 6.40 [1.86, 22.1]) and zeaxanthin (OR = 3.06 [1.19, 7.85]) were more likely to have knee OA. CONCLUSIONS: While certain carotenoids may protect against knee OA, others may increase the odds of knee OA. Further study of carotenoids and knee OA are warranted before clinical recommendations about these substances and knee OA can be made.

Antioxidants↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of brief dietary questions to estimate vegetable and fruit consumption - using serum carotenoids and red-cell folate.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate responses to self-administered brief questions regarding consumption of vegetables and fruit by comparison with blood levels of serum carotenoids and red-cell folate. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study in which participants reported their usual intake of fruit and vegetables in servings per day, and serum levels of five carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin and lycopene) and red-cell folate were measured. Serum carotenoid levels were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography, and red-cell folate by an automated immunoassay system. SETTINGS AND SUBJECTS: Between October and December 2000, a sample of 1598 adults aged 25 years and over, from six randomly selected urban centres in Queensland, Australia, were examined as part of a national study conducted to determine the prevalence of diabetes and associated cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: Statistically significant (P<0.01) associations with vegetable and fruit intake (categorised into groups: </=1 serving, 2-3 servings and >/=4 servings per day) were observed for alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin and red-cell folate. The mean level of these carotenoids and of red-cell folate increased with increasing frequency of reported servings of vegetables and fruit, both before and after adjusting for potential confounding factors. A significant association with lycopene was observed only for vegetable intake before adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that brief questions may be a simple and valuable tool for monitoring vegetable and fruit intake in this population.

Adult↗