Carotenoids, naturally occurring lipophilic micronutrients, possess an antioxidant activity associated with protection from damage induced by free radicals. The present study investigated an innovative non-invasive method to measure cutaneous levels of lycopene and beta-carotene and to monitor the distribution of orally administered lactolycopene in human skin and plasma. A double-blind placebo...

In this study, we clarified the status of the fat-soluble vitamins retinol and tocopherol, as well as beta-carotene, as antioxidants in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in middle-aged Vietnamese populations with different incomes. In order to measure simultaneously the serum concentrations of retinol, beta-carotene and tocopherol, we carried out high-performance liquid chromatography an...

The in vivo modulatory effect of beta-carotene, astaxanthin and canthaxanthin on lymphocyte function was investigated. Female BALB/c mice (8 wk old) were fed a basal diet containing 0, 0.1% or 0.4% beta-carotene, astaxanthin or canthaxanthin for 0, 2 or 4 wk (n = 8/diet/period). Splenic lymphocytes were isolated and mitogen-stimulated proliferation, IL-2 production and lymphocyte cytotoxicity w...

Results from some intervention trials indicated that supplemental beta-carotene enhanced lung cancer incidence and mortality in chronic smokers. The aim of this study was to verify the hypothesis that high concentrations of the carotenoid, under the pO2 present in lung (100-150 mmHg), may exert deleterious effects through a prooxidant mechanism. To test this hypothesis, we examined the interact...

BACKGROUND Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have significantly decreased plasma concentrations of nutrient antioxidant vitamins, especially of beta-carotene, which is thought to result from fat malabsorption and chronic pulmonary inflammation. The aim of this double blind, placebo controlled study was to investigate the effect of oral beta-carotene supplementation for six months on clinical p...

This study was conducted to determine that carrot powder obtain by different drying methods (oven and vacuum-freeze dryer) of carrot unfit for human consumption that whether feed additives in animal nutrition or not. Carrots randomly divided 2 groups. First group was dried by using oven, second group was by using vacuum freeze dryer methods. Dried carrot prepared from fresh carrot was analysed ...

The interrelationships between plasma beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, and the level of systemic inflammation and oxidative stress were investigated in patients with advanced coronary artery disease (CAD). Plasma beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, malondialdehyde, free radicals, interleukin-6, high sensitive C-reactive protein levels, and other risk factors of CAD were determined in a group of pa...

Ischemia-reperfusion injury associated with liver transplantation remains a serious complication in clinical practice. In the present study the effect of intake of alpha-tocopherol or beta-carotene to limit liver injury by oxidative stress in ischemia and reperfusion was explored. Wistar rats were fed with diets enriched with alpha-tocopherol (20 mg/day) or beta-carotene (3 mg/day) for 21 days....

We evaluated the association between exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) from husbands who smoke and plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins among nonsmoking women. A total of 1249 women from four areas in Italy answered a self-administered questionnaire, reported their diets on a food frequency questionnaire, had a medical examination, and gave their blood for alpha and beta-carotene, ...

Although cigarette smoking is one major determinant of lung carcinogenesis, not all smokers develop cancer. This phenomenon is due to individual variation in genetic susceptibility to carcinogens, nutrition, and lifestyle. Previous studies have shown that genetic polymorphism of metabolic enzymes and plasma micronutrients are associated with lung cancer risk. DNA adducts may serve as a molecula...