Relationship between Serum -Cryptoxanthin and Circulating Bone Metabolic Markers in Healthy Individuals with the Intake of Juice (Citrus unshiu) Containing - Cryptoxanthin

The relationship between the serum -cryptoxanthin concentration and circulating biochemical markers of bone metabolism in healthy individuals with the intake of juice prepared from Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu MARC.) containing -cryptoxanthin was investigated. Twenty volunteers (10 men and ten women) were divided into two groups of 10 volunteers (5 men and 5 women) each, and each group was sequentially given juice (192 ml) containing two different amounts of -cryptoxanthin once a day for 56 days as follows: either regular juice with naturally occurring -cryptoxanthin 802 g/100 ml or reinforced juice containing -cryptoxanthin 1500 g/100 ml. -Carboxylated osteocalcin, which is a marker of bone formation, and bone tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), which is a marker of bone resorption, were assayed. The serum -cryptoxanthin concentration was significantly increased with the intake of regular juice for 56 days. This increase was significantly enhanced by the intake of -cryptoxanthin-reinforced juice. The intake of regular juice or of -cryptoxanthin-reinforced juice for 56 days caused a significant increase in serum -carboxylated osteocalcin and a significant decrease in serum bone TRAP activity. A positive relationship between serum -cryptoxanthin and circulating -carboxylated osteocalcin concentrations was found using the value obtained from all groups for before intake and with the intake of regular juice and -cryptoxanthin-reinforced juice. A negative relationship between serum -cryptoxanthin concentration and circulating TRAP activity was observed. This study shows that a relationship between serum -cryptoxanthin and circulating bone metabolic markers is found in healthy individuals with the intake of juice containing -cryptoxanthin.