Stability and synergistic effect of antioxidative properties of lycopene and other active components.

Carotenoids have drawn considerable interest, due to their role in preventing cardiovascular disease. In a large prospective study of female nurses, a 26% and 20% lower risk of coronary artery disease was observed among the subjects in the higher quintile of β-carotene and α-carotene intake over a 12 year, follow-up period, respectively, compared with those in the lower quintile (Osganian et al., 2003). In vitro studies have indicated that carotenoids may prevent the initiating events in atherogenesis by directly inhibiting low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, thereby decreasing the early formation of foam cells and plaque (Diaz et al., 1997; Maxwell and Lip, 1997; Naruszewicz et al., 1992; van de Vijver et al., 1997). The incubation of the β-carotene isomers with whole plasma resulted in substantial carotene binding to very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and to LDL, although limited binding was observed in high density lipoprotein (HDL). Lipid peroxidation of VLDL and LDL was significantly decreased by β-carotene. In addition, the incubation of β-carotene also decreased macrophages mediated cellular degradation of oxidized lipoproteins by 18% (Lavy et al., 1993). The oxidatively modified form, but not native LDL, is