Dietary Intake Of Carotenoids Research Articles

A Randomized Controlled Trial for the Treatment of Oral Leukoplakia With the Aid of Chemopreventive Agents

The evidence base for an effective treatment of oral leukoplakia is limited. Although several options for treatment of oral leukoplakia are available, there is lack of consensus on the most appropriate methods of management and ways to minimize malignant transformation. It is hypothesized that high dietary intake of carotenoids may reduce human cancer. Observational studies on diet suggest that its role on cancer prevention effects is related to beta-carotene. Antioxidant nutrients are known to interact, and synergistic protective effect by carotenoids with vitamin C via an antioxidant pathway has been shown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of beta-carotene and vitamin C supplements for the treatment of oral leukoplakia among non smokers and to assess the efficacy of these chemo-preventive agents in clinical remission and preventing malignant transformation. A randomized double-blind controlled trial involving 46 Japanese subjects (25 males, 21 females, age: 66±8.9, age range: 38-80) with oral leukoplakia who had either never smoked or were ex-smokers was undertaken in 3 centers. Subjects were allocated either to the experimental arm (23 subjects; 10mg/day of beta-carotene and 500mg/day of vitamin C) or to the control arm (23 subjects; 50mg/day of vitamin C alone). The random allocation was performed centrally with stratification by blocking randomization according to presence or absence of dysplasia. Two in the experimental arm and one in the control arm did not receive allocated interventions. The supplements were continued over one year, and subjects followed up a further year. The serum levels of antioxidant micronutrients were measured. Scientific and ethical committees of the involved institutes approved the protocol for this study, and the written informed consent was obtained from all subjects prior to the allocation to the trial. Intention to treat analysis (ITT) was used for the analysis. During the intervention 5 in the experimental arm and 5 in the control arm dropped out. Among those 3 in the experimental arm and 4 in the control arm returned for follow up at close of study. Finally 40 subjects were analyzed. Based on the sample size calculation the power of the test has met 82%. The outcome of the clinical responses was analyzed by Fisher’s exact test for overall response rate (CR + PR). Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate relative risk with 95% CI for the development of oral cancer. Among 19 in the experimental arm, 1 had complete remission (CR), 3 partial remission (PR), 14 no change (NC) and 1 progress disease (PD), and among 21 in the control arm 1 had PR, 16 NC and 4 PD. Three subjects with oral leukoplakia and +/- dysplasia in the control arm, so far have developed oral cancer at 11, 23 and 30 months periods from the onset of the intervention. The overall response rate was 21.1% in the experimental group and 4.8% in the control group (p =0.172). Relative risk adjusted for age, sex and dysplasia of oral cancer by the supplement of beta-carotene and vitamin C was 0.80 (95%CI: 0.56-1.14) (p =0.221). No untoward side effects have been noted. It is concluded that the supplemental low dose of beta-carotene and vitamin C was effective for neither clinical remission nor protection of cancer development statistically. Nevertheless the outcome suggests a benefit from their anti-oxidant effect for the management of potentially malignant disorders. Further large-scale intervention studies will be necessary with longer observation periods, and inclusion of biological and molecular assessments may provide useful intermediate endpoints for the evaluation of the future chemo-preventive studies.

Dietary intake and serum concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin, but not macular pigment optical density, are related in spouses

Abstract Lutein and zeaxanthin, 2 carotenoids obtained from the diet, accumulate in the central retina where they are collectively called macular pigment. Although dietary intake of these carotenoids is directly related to tissue concentration, several factors, such as body mass index, appear to indirectly affect macular pigment concentrations. Individuals who consume similar diets and share factors that affect macular pigment, such as married couples, may have similar macular pigment levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relatedness of dietary, serum, and retinal concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin in married couples. Fifty participants, 25 male-female married couples, between 29 and 70 years of age participated in the study. Fruit and vegetable consumption as well as dietary intakes of macronutrients and carotenoids were assessed by a dietary questionnaire. Cholesterol concentrations were measured with reflectance photometry, and serum carotenoid concentrations were determined with high-performance liquid chromatography. Retinal carotenoids, defined as macular pigment optical density (MPOD), were measured by heterochromatic flicker photometry at 4 retinal loci. Dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin in the sample was related to serum lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations ( P = .01). Both dietary intake ( P = .04) and serum concentrations ( P = .003) of lutein and zeaxanthin were significantly related to MPOD at 30′ eccentricity. Wives' dietary intake ( P = .016) and serum concentrations ( P

KALE CAROTENOIDS REMAIN STABLE WHILE GLUCOSINOLATES AND FLAVOR COMPOUNDS RESPOND TO CHANGES IN SELENIUM AND SULFUR FERTILITY

Dietary intake of certain carotenoids has been associated with reduced risks of specific cancers and chronic eye diseases. Kale (Brassica oleracea L. var. acephala D.C.) has been reported to contain the highest levels of the carotenoids lutein and βcarotene among green leafy vegetable crops. Brassica vegetables also contain anticarcinogenic glucosinolates (GS) and S-methyl-cysteine sulfoxide (MCSO) sulfur compounds responsible for flavor. In several experiments, we investigated the influence of S and Se fertility on: 1) elemental accumulation; 2) GS and MCSO production; and 3) the accumulation patterns of carotenoid pigments in the leaf tissues of kale. Plants were greenhouse grown using nutrient solution culture with a range of S and Se concentrations. Increasing S fertility increased S leaf content, but decreased Mg and Ca accumulation. Levels of GS and MSCO increased in response to increasing S in nutrient solution. However, accumulation of lutein and β-carotene were unaffected by S treatment. Decreasing S and increasing Se fertility in kale production will decreases GS and MCSO compounds without affecting carotenoid pigments levels. Understanding the combined impact of fertility on flavor compounds and carotenoid pigments may help improve consumer acceptance of phytonutritionally-enhanced vegetable crops.

Carotenoids, oxidative stress and female mating preference for longer lived males

Some of the most spectacular exaggerated sexual ornaments are carotenoid dependent. It has been suggested that such ornaments have evolved because carotenoid pigments are limiting for both signal expression and in their role as antioxidants and immunostimulants. An implicit assumption of this hypothesis is that males which can afford to produce more elaborate carotenoid-dependent displays are signalling their enhanced ability to resist parasites, disease or oxidative stress and hence would be predicted to live longer. Therefore, in species with carotenoid-dependent ornaments where a parent's future longevity is crucial for determining offspring survival, there should be a mating preference for partners that present the lowest risk of mortality during the breeding attempt, as signalled by the ability to allocate carotenoids to sexual displays. In an experimental study using three-spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus), we show that when dietary carotenoid intake is limited, males attempt to maintain their sexual ornament at the expense of body carotenoids and hence suffer from reduced reproductive investment and a shorter lifespan. These males also suffer from an increased susceptibility to oxidative stress, suggesting that this may constitute the mechanism underlying the increased rate of ageing. Furthermore, in pairwise mate-choice trials, females preferred males that had a greater access to carotenoids and chance of surviving the breeding season, suggesting that females can make adaptive mate choice decisions based on a male's carotenoid status and potential future longevity.

Vantagens e desvantagens das colunas C18 e C30 para a separação de carotenóides por CLAE

Estudos tem demonstrado uma alta associacao entre ingestao ou nivel plasmatico de carotenoides e a diminuicao do risco ou protecao contra algumas doencas. Estes fatos, bem como a elevada suscetibilidade destes compostos a luz e calor, com formacao de isomeros cis, os quais apresentam menor atividade biologica, torna importante o desenvolvimento de sistemas que permitam a separacao destes carotenoides em alimentos. Neste trabalho foi avaliada a separacao de isomeros geometricos de licopeno, e dos isomeros de posicao luteina e zeaxantina, por cromatografia liquida de alta eficiencia (CLAE), utilizando colunas C18 (monomerica, 4 mm, 300 x 3,9 mm) e C30 (polimerica, 3 mm, 250 x 4,6 mm) e diferentes fases moveis, tanto com eluicao isocratica como com gradiente. Os carotenoides foram identificados atraves das caracteristicas espectrais e co-cromatografia com padroes. As melhores condicoes cromatograficas foram obtidas em coluna C30 com temperatura de 33 oC, eluicao isocratica a 1 mL/min e fase movel com metanol (0,1% trietilamina)/eter metil-terc-butilico (50:50) para separar isomeros de licopeno e (95:5) para luteina e zeaxantina. Entretanto, para analise quantitativa, e necessario verificar a repetibilidade da area dos picos na coluna C30. Alem disso, a coluna C18 monomerica pode ser empregada para separar luteina e zeaxantina.

Enteral feeding enriched with carotenoids normalizes the carotenoid status and reduces oxidative stress in long-term enterally fed patients

Circulating carotenoid levels decrease progressively in patients receiving long-term enteral tube feeding with carotenoid-free formulas. Low dietary intake and low blood levels of carotenoids are associated with a higher risk of morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a low dose carotenoid mixture (3-mg/1500kcal) for 3 months on serum carotenoid levels and oxidative stress in patients receiving long-term enteral nutrition as the sole source of nutrition. This randomized, double blind, controlled study compared patients receiving enteral nutrition with carotenoids (N=26) and without carotenoids (control group; N=25). Patients on long-term enteral nutrition had low baseline serum carotenoid levels. Three months of enteral feeding enriched with carotenoids significantly (P<0.01) increased serum carotenoid levels compared with the control group. Oxidative stress as measured by NF-kappaB levels was decreased at 3 months compared with the control group (P<0.05). No significant changes in MDA levels were observed during the study period in either group. This study demonstrated that enteral nutrition containing small amounts of carotenoids (3-mg/1500kcal) in patients requiring long-term enteral feeding normalizes serum carotenoid levels to the lower end of the range found in age-matched controls. The NF-kappaB data indicate a reduction in oxidative stress in these patients. Therefore, the use of formulas containing a mixture of carotenoids should be recommended for long-term enteral nutrition.

Colourful male guppies produce faster and more viable sperm

In guppies (Poecilia reticulata) precopulatory sexual selection (via female choice) and post-copulatory selection (via sperm competition) both favour males with relatively high levels of carotenoid (orange) pigmentation, suggesting that colourful males produce more competitive ejaculates. Here we test whether there is a positive association between male orange pigmentation and sperm quality. Our analysis of sperm quality focused on sperm swimming speeds (using CASA: computer-assisted sperm analysis to estimate three parameters of sperm velocity in vitro), sperm viability (proportion of live sperm per stripped ejaculate) and sperm lengths. We found that males with relatively large areas of orange pigmentation had significantly faster and more viable sperm than their less ornamented counterparts, suggesting a possible link between dietary carotenoid intake and sperm quality. By contrast, we found no relationship between sperm length (head length and total sperm length) and male phenotype. These findings, in conjunction with previous work showing that highly ornamented male guppies sire higher quality offspring, suggest that female preference for colourful males and sperm competition work in concert to favour intrinsically higher quality males.

Bioaccessibility of β-Carotene, Lutein, and Lycopene from Fruits and Vegetables

Epidemiological studies have consistently demonstrated that there is an association between carotenoid-rich food intakes with a low incidence in chronic diseases. Nevertheless, there is not an association between the intake of total dietary carotenoids and chronic health incidence in the European population, probably because of different carotenoid food sources and bioavailability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the small and large intestine bioaccessibilities of major dietary carotenoids from fruits and vegetables in a common diet. A bioaccessibility model that includes enzymatic digestion and in vitro colonic fermentation was employed. Lutein presented greater small intestine bioaccessibility (79%) than beta-carotene (27%) or lycopene (40%). With regard to large intestine bioaccessibility, similar amounts of lycopene and beta-carotene were released from the food matrix (57%), whereas small amounts of lutein (17%) were released. These results suggest that 91% of the beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene contained in fruits and vegetables is available in the gut during the entire digestion process. Colonic fermentation is shown to be important for carotenoid availability in the gut.

Dietary carotenoids mediate a trade-off between egg quantity and quality in Japanese quail

Carotenoids offer animals many nutritional, health, and reproductive benefits. When in high supply, carotenoids can boost antioxidant protection and immune strength as well as stimulate egg production and enrich the color of sexual ornaments like feathers. Certain reproductive investments, however, often come at the cost of others; for example, the production of many offspring may compromise the quality of those offspring. Under such a scenario, we rarely know the precise intrinsic or extrinsic mechanism that generates such a reproductive trade-off. Here I show that variation in dietary carotenoid intake mediates a trade-off between egg quantity and quality in female Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica). Females fed high doses of two common plant carotenoids, lutein and zeaxanthin, during a 1-month diet experiment were more likely to lay eggs, but produced eggs with significantly smaller yolks. Yolk serves as the critical nutritional supply for developing embryos, and several studies show dramatic negative developmental consequences for offspring that are allocated scant yolk reserves. These results demonstrate nutritional control of yolk size and highlight a potential reproductive cost of high carotenoid accumulation in multiparous birds. In future studies, we should consider total yolk-carotenoid reserves rather than simply carotenoid concentration to better understand the cost-benefit balance of these nutrients.

Carotenoid availability in diet and phenotype of blue and great tit nestlings

Carotenoids are biologically active pigments of crucial importance for the development of avian embryos and nestlings. Thus parental ability to provide nestlings with a carotenoid-rich diet may enhance offspring fitness. However, very little is known about the possible effects of carotenoid availability in the diet on growing nestlings in natural populations. We experimentally manipulated dietary intake of carotenoids by nestlings of two closely related passerine species, the great tit Parus major and the blue tit Parus caeruleus, and measured nestling antioxidants, body condition, immunity and plumage colour. There was no detectable increase in plasma carotenoids after treatment in carotenoid-fed nestlings of either species despite regular supply of dietary carotenoids. However, in carotenoid-fed blue tit nestlings, plasma vitamin E concentration increased with plasma carotenoid concentration, while that was not the case for control nestlings. In both species, there was no significant effect of carotenoid supply on immune function. Carotenoid supplementation enhanced yellow feather colour in great tit nestlings only. In both species a strong effect of carotenoid supply was found on body condition with an increase in body mass for small carotenoid-fed nestlings compared to similarly sized control nestlings. Dietary availability of carotenoids may thus have important fitness consequences for tits. We hypothesise that the difference in effect of dietary carotenoids on the two species is due to relatively larger clutch size and higher growth rates of blue tits compared to great tits, leading to blue tit nestlings being more in need of carotenoids for antioxidant function than great tit nestlings.

Dietary fat and breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy, and the second commonest cause of cancer deaths amongst women in industrialized countries. Incidence rates have been increasing for decades. Breast cancer currently afflicts almost 40 000 women in the UK each year, with the lifetime risk for each woman in the UK estimated at 1:9.1 High penetrance susceptibility genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 account for only 5% of breast cancer cases; the factors responsible for the other 95% remain largely obscure. Age, family history, and various menstrual and reproductive factors are known to influence an individual's risk of developing breast cancer, but we are currently unable to ascribe a cause for the vast majority of cases of breast cancer. There are pointers to environmental factors: populations that migrate from low- to high-incidence countries often develop breast cancer rates that approximate those of the host country.2,,3 One environmental factor that may be linked to the risk of developing breast cancer is diet. There has been public interest in the possible role of diet in the development of cancers in general. Intake of dietary fibre, trace elements, rare metals, vitamins, retinoids, carotenoids and micronutrients have all been associated with protection against cancer risk. The first major scientific alarm calls to draw attention to the significance of diet as a cause for cancer were probably those published in the 1970s by the WHO in surveys of cancer incidence in five continents. Later in the 1970s, the relationship between dietary fat intake and cancer intensified these alarm calls, as the large international differences in rates of many cancers were noted to be strongly correlated with apparent per capita fat consumption.4,,5 There was a particularly strong association with breast cancer. Can eating foods high in fat really cause breast …

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

To assess the carotenoid status in young type I diabetic patients and its relationship to the glycaemic control of the disease. A follow-up study. Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Health Area VI of Madrid (Spain). Forty-seven type I diabetic patients, followed for 2.5 years. 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. 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. 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.

Effects of orlistat therapy on plasma concentrations of oxygenated and hydrocarbon carotenoids

Orlistat is a lipase inhibitor that is applied for treating obesity. Lipases are required for digestion and absorption of dietary lipids and fat-soluble vitamins and carotenoids. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of orlistat therapy on plasma concentrations of oxygenated (beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin) and hydrocarbon (alpha-, beta-carotene, lycopene) carotenoids. Six patients with a body mass index (BMI) > or = 30 kg/m2 received 360 mg/d orlistat over 4.5 mon. Plasma carotenoid concentrations were determined at baseline (T0) and after 3 (T3) and 4.5 mon (T4.5) along with anthropometric, dietary, and biochemical indices, including plasma lipids, retinol, (alpha- and gamma-tocopherols, and FA. Baseline BMI was 32.7 +/- 1.97 kg/m2. Five of six patients lost weight; the average weight loss was 3.6 +/- 2.4% (P = 0.47). There were no significant changes in dietary carotenoid intakes. In contrast, plasma alpha- and beta-carotene concentrations decreased significantly from T0 to T4.5 by 45% (P = 0.006) and 32% (P = 0.013), respectively. Plasma lycopene decreased from T0 to T3 but increased again from T3 to T4.5, while beta-cryptoxanthin and lutein/zeaxanthin concentrations did not change. There were no significant alterations in tocopherol, retinol, and FA concentrations. In conclusion, even though weight loss was not significant, orlistat therapy was associated with significant decreases in plasma concentrations of the highly lipophilic hydrocarbon carotenoids, alpha- and beta-carotene.

Carotenoids and cardiovascular disease: what research gaps remain?

Dietary and blood carotenoids, including alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein/zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin, have been examined in a number of epidemiological studies in recent years for the risk of cardiovascular disease. This review assimilated the existing and recent literature on carotenoids and cardiovascular disease and considered what research gaps may remain. Numerous large cohort studies have been published in largely American men and women that have examined dietary intake or blood levels of total or individual carotenoids with the risk of various cardiovascular endpoints. Overall, early, promising results have grown increasingly inconsistent over time. More recently, studies examining lycopene and lutein/zeaxanthin have offered more promising data on a possible, but not yet established, inverse association with the risk of cardiovascular disease. Recent epidemiological data on beta-cryptoxanthin and cardiovascular disease are lacking. Primary and secondary prevention trials have extensively examined beta-carotene, but not other carotenoids, for the risk of cardiovascular disease as either the primary or secondary endpoint with largely null results. More recent studies have focused on individual carotenoids in relation to cardiovascular disease and require a more careful evaluation of potential mechanisms of effect. The promise of early epidemiological studies on carotenoids and cardiovascular disease paved the way to largely disappointing results from several large prevention trials of beta-carotene. Emerging recent evidence of potential cardioprotective effects for lycopene and other carotenoids besides beta-carotene in the diet and blood suggest that there is more to be learned in the story of carotenoids and both atherosclerotic progression and clinically manifested cardiovascular disease.

Dietary intake of carotenoids and retinol and the risk of acute myocardial infarction in Italy

Background: Carotenoids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease through their antioxidant properties, but the results of epidemiological studies are controversial. We analysed the relation between the intake of selected carotenoids and retinol and risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods: A case-control study was conducted in Milan, Italy, in 1995–2003. Cases were 760 patients with nonfatal AMI, and controls 682 patients admitted to hospital.Results: The risk of AMI decreased with increasing intake of α-carotene (odds ratios, OR = 0.71, 95% confidence intervals, CI 0.51–0.98, for the highest vs the lowest quartile of intake), β-carotene (OR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.50–1.01) and β-criptoxanthin (OR = 0.64, 95% CI 0.46–0.88). No associations emerged for total carotenoids, lycopene, lutein plus zeaxanthin and retinol.Conclusions: Our study suggests a weak protective effect of α-carotene, β-carotene and β-criptoxanthin on the risk of AMI. It also indicates that total carotenoids, lycopene, lutein plus zeaxanthin and retinol were not related to the risk of the disease.

Intake of Fruits and Vegetables, Carotenoids, Folate, and Vitamins A, C, E and Risk of Bladder Cancer Among Women (United States)

To examine the relation between fruits and vegetables, carotenoids, folate, and vitamins A, C, E and the risk of bladder cancer in a prospective study of women. A total of 237 incident bladder cancer cases were documented during 20 years of follow-up among 88,796 women enrolled in the Nurses' Health Study. Dietary intake was assessed by food-frequency questionnaires every two to four years and incident diagnosis of bladder cancer was ascertained every two years. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate incidence rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for bladder cancer risk, adjusting for age, pack-years of smoking, current smoking, and total caloric intake. Consumption of total fruits and vegetables was not associated with bladder cancer risk (RR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.70-1.65, for > 5.5 compared to < 2.5 servings per day). Similarly, dietary intakes of carotenoids, folate, and vitamins A, C, E, were not related to bladder cancer risk. No association was observed between supplemental intake of multivitamins, vitamins A, C, E and bladder cancer risk. We did not observe any association for fruit and vegetable consumption or vitamin intake and bladder cancer risk among women.

Airway and Circulating Levels of Carotenoids in Asthma and Healthy Controls

Background: Elevated oxidative stress and impaired antioxidant defences are increasingly recognised features of asthma. Carotenoids are potent dietary antioxidants that may protect against asthma by reducing oxidative damage.Objectives: This study aimed firstly, to characterise circulating and airway levels of carotenoids in asthma compared to healthy controls, in relation to dietary intake. Secondly, the study aimed to test whether airway lycopene defences can be improved using oral supplements.Methods: Induced sputum and peripheral blood samples were collected from subjects with asthma (n = 15) and healthy controls (n = 16). Dietary carotenoid intakes were estimated using the 24-hour recall method and analysed using a modified version of the Foodworks 210 Nutrient Calculation Software. Another group of healthy controls (n = 9) were supplemented with 20 mg/day lycopene for 4 weeks. Carotenoids (β-carotene, lycopene, α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin) were measured by HPLC.Results: Despite similar dietary intake, whole blood levels of total carotenoids, lycopene, lutein, β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene and β-carotene were significantly lower in asthma than controls. However, there were no differences in plasma or sputum carotenoid levels. Induced sputum carotenoid levels were significantly lower than plasma and whole blood levels, but correlated strongly with plasma levels (r = 0.798, p < 0.001). Although there were no overall increases in either plasma or sputum lycopene levels following supplementation, changes in airway lycopene levels correlated with changes in plasma levels (r = 0.908, p < 0.002).Conclusions: Whole blood, but not plasma or sputum, carotenoid levels are deficient in asthma. Plasma carotenoid levels reflect airway carotenoid levels and when plasma levels are improved using oral supplements this is reflected in the airways.

Assessment of a Dietary Questionnaire in Cancer Patients Receiving Cytotoxic Chemotherapy

Few studies have examined the influence of diet on survival and chemotherapy-associated toxicities in patients with cancer. Although several comprehensive dietary questionnaires have been validated and calibrated in healthy populations, similar studies have not been performed among cancer patients. Two hundred patients with colorectal, breast, or neuroendocrine cancer undergoing treatment with cytotoxic chemotherapy completed a self-administered, 131-item, semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Using the questionnaire, we calculated dietary intakes of carotenoids, tocopherols, and fatty acids, and correlated these values with relevant biomarkers measured in simultaneously collected plasma specimens. The Pearson correlation coefficients for various carotenoids as measured by the questionnaire, with the corresponding measurements in plasma specimens, ranged from 0.33 to 0.44 (all P < .001), adjusted for total energy intake, body mass index, age, sex, smoking status, and total plasma cholesterol. Similarly, the adjusted correlation between self-reported total vitamin E intake and plasma alpha-tocopherol was 0.34 (P < .001). Correlations between questionnaire and plasma measurements of trans-fat, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid were 0.55, 0.29, and 0.42 (all P < .001), respectively. These levels of correlation are consistent with those reported in similar studies of self-reported diet in otherwise healthy populations. Among patients with cancer receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy, questionnaire-based measurements of various micronutrients and dietary factors appeared to predict meaningful differences in the corresponding measurements in plasma specimens. This dietary questionnaire could offer an informative and practical means for assessing the influence of diet in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Dietary β-cryptoxanthin and inflammatory polyarthritis: results from a population-based prospective study

Epidemiologic studies suggest that the antioxidant potential of dietary carotenoids may protect against the oxidative damage that can result in inflammation. We investigated the hypothesis that some dietary carotenoids are associated with a reduced risk of developing inflammatory polyarthritis (IP). The European Prospective Investigation of Cancer Incidence (EPIC)-Norfolk study is a population-based, prospective study of >25,000 subjects who completed a baseline 7-d diet diary and were followed up to identify new cases of IP, which was defined as synovitis that affected > or = 2 joint groups. Dietary carotenoid intakes were computed from the diet diaries of these subjects, and a nested, case-control analysis was undertaken to compare carotenoid intake between case subjects and age- and sex-matched control subjects. Eighty-eight incident cases of IP that occurred in the population surveyed were ascertained via the Norfolk Arthritis Register. The mean daily intakes of zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin were 20% and 40% lower, respectively, in the cases than in the 176 controls, but there were no significant differences in the intakes of either lutein or lycopene. Those subjects in the top one-third of intake of zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin were at a lower risk of developing IP than were subjects in the lowest one-third [odds ratios (95% CI): 0.48 (0.24, 0.94) and 0.51 (0.25, 1.02) for zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin, respectively]. The association with beta-cryptoxanthin was significant after adjustments were made for total energy and protein intakes and for cigarette smoking. These data are consistent with previous evidence showing that a modest increase in beta-cryptoxanthin intake, equivalent to one glass of freshly squeezed orange juice per day, is associated with a reduced risk of developing inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Embryonic development within carotenoid-enriched eggs influences the post-hatch carotenoid status of the chicken

Carotenoids in the diet of the laying hen are incorporated into the egg yolk and subsequently into the liver and other tissues of the chicken embryo. Since these pigments are known to provide a range of health benefits to a variety of animals, it is of interest to know whether the effects of maternally derived carotenoids are strictly limited to the embryonic period or if they persist in the progeny after hatching. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of pre-hatch (from the hen's diet) with that of post-hatch (from the progeny's diet) supplementation with carotenoids on the carotenoid status of the chick during the first 4 weeks of post-hatch life. Hens were fed a control diet or a diet supplemented with a carotenoid-rich extract of alfalfa. Eggs from the supplemented hens contained up to 22 times more carotenoids than the controls. The concentration of carotenoids in the livers of chicks hatching from the enriched eggs was initially 29 times greater than in the control chicks. Hepatic carotenoid concentrations in chicks from enriched eggs maintained post-hatch on the control diet were sustained at higher values compared with chicks from control eggs that were fed post-hatch on the carotenoid-supplemented diet, for at least the first 7 days. However, by 14 days, the latter group had overtaken the former in terms of liver carotenoid levels. Thus, under these conditions, maternal effects predominate for at least the first week after hatching, whereas from 2 weeks onwards, the progeny's diet becomes the main determinant of its carotenoid status. Since the antioxidant and immunostimulatory roles of carotenoids are likely to be especially important during the immediate post-hatch period, maternal dietary intake of carotenoids may have important ramifications for the viability of the offspring.