Serum β-carotene, lycopene and α-tocopherol levels of healthy people in northeast Thailand

Human serum contains many different antioxidants which may be important in the maintenance of antioxidant status. β-carotene and lycopene are carotenoids with potent antioxidant activity. Carotenoids intake probably protects against cancers and may affect the risk of several chronic conditions. α-tocopherol is well known for its function as antioxidant and in reduction of heart disease and cancer risk. We aimed to establish baseline values for serum β-carotene, lycopene and α-tocopherol concentrations in healthy northeast Thais. Fasting serum βcarotene, lycopene and α-tocopherol levels from 294 subjects aged 23-75 years old in northeast Thailand were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The mean serum β-carotene, lycopene and αtocopherol levels were 0.53 ± 0.32 μmol/L, 0.57 ± 0.37 μmol/L, and 26.64 ± 14.85 μmol/L respectively. Serum β-carotene and lycopene levels in females (N = 118) were significantly higher than the value for males (N = 176), ie 0.60 ± 0.31 μmol/L versus 0.48 ± 0.32 μmol/L (p = 0.002) for β-carotene and 0.74 ± 0.38 μmol/L versus 0.46 ± 0.33 μmol/L (p<0.001) for lycopene whereas α-tocopherol level in males (28.60 ± 14.34 μmol/L) was significantly higher than in females (23.72 ± 15.16 μmol/L) (p = 0.006). β-carotene level was positively correlated with α-tocopherol (r = 0.22, p<0.001) and lycopene levels (r = 0.63, p <0.001). The results from this study give the baseline data of serum β-carotene, lycopene and α-tocopherol levels in healthy northeast Thai population and also suggest future study on the relationship of dietary intake.