Lower Levels Of Β-carotene Research Articles

The Association between Malaria and β-Carotene Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

β-Carotene, which is a prominent carotenoid with notable antioxidant properties, may play a role in countering the oxidative stresses induced by malaria. The association between β-carotene levels and malaria is not yet fully understood, prompting this systematic review and meta-analysis. A rigorous search of databases, including Nursing and Allied Health Premium, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Ovid, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, was undertaken to collate studies that focused on β-carotene levels in malaria patients. The selected studies underwent critical appraisal, followed by data extraction for a meta-analysis. Of the 2498 records initially identified, 10 were deemed suitable for synthesis. A considerable number of these studies indicated a pronounced reduction in β-carotene levels among malaria patients in contrast with uninfected individuals. The meta-analysis, encompassing 421 malaria patients and 240 uninfected controls, revealed a significant correlation between reduced β-carotene levels and malaria (p < 0.01, Hedges's g: -1.26, 95% CI: -2.00-(-0.53), I2: 93.86%, seven studies). The conducted systematic review and meta-analysis corroborated the correlation between lower β-carotene levels and malaria. The intricate relationship between malaria and β-carotene merits deeper exploration. A comprehensive understanding of this association might pave the way for innovative therapeutic approaches leveraging the antioxidant attributes of β-carotene to combat malaria-induced oxidative stress.

Chemical composition and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Lactarius sanguifluus, a wild edible mushroom from northern Morocco

Lactarius sanguifluus is part of the diverse mycological heritage in the Koudiat Taifour forest (a site of biological and ecological interest in the northern region of Morocco), although this fungus is in danger of extinction in this forest. The main objective of the research reported here was to perform an advanced chemical analysis of a methanolic extract from L. sanguifluus and to investigate its biological activities. Spectrophotometric determination of the chemical compounds present in the extract showed that this fungus contains significant amounts of phenolics and flavonoids [18.71–18.81 mg GAE per g of dry methanolic extract (dme)], moderate quantities of ascorbic acid and tannins [3.50–3.86 mg/g of dry weight (dw)], and low levels of β-carotene and lycopene (0.11–0.10 mg/g dme). The phenolic compounds were identified and quantified via LC–MS, and the results showed that p-hydroxybenzoic acid (134.10 µg/g dw) and paraben acid (85.35 µg/g dw) were the main phenolic compounds in the sample. GC–MS analysis of the methanol extract led to the identification of more than 77 chemical compounds in the sample, which were categorized into five main groups: sugars (48.15%), fatty acids (20.66%), amino acids (11.92%), organic acids (9.30%), and alcohols (8.42%). The antioxidant activity of the fungal methanol extract was demonstrated using three methods: the DPPH assay (IC50: 2.045 mg/ml), the β-carotene bleaching test (IC50: 0.56 mg/ml), and the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP; RC50: 0.85 mg/ml). The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using microdilution methods. Antifungal susceptibility tests indicated that the extract was able to inhibit the growth of five fungal pathogen species. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) ranged from 1 to 16 mg/ml for Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton rubrum, and Microsporum canis, and from 21 to 64 mg/ml for Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. Likewise, antibacterial tests showed that the extract inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at concentrations ranging from 21 to 64 mg/ml for the MIC and at 64 mg/ml for the MFC. Considering their nutritional and nutraceutical value, fruiting bodies of L. sanguifluus and extracts from them could be used as nutritional supplements and as natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agents in food preservation and human health.

Relationship between Serum Antioxidative Vitamin Concentrations and Type 2 Diabetes in Japanese Subjects

A high intake of green leafy vegetables rich in antioxidative nutrients such as vitamin C and β-carotene may protect against the risk of type 2 diabetes. Measurement of the circulating nutrient concentrations can indicate the nutrient status more directly, and vitamin C and carotenoids are recognized as good biomarkers for the intake of fruits and vegetables. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between serum antioxidative vitamin concentrations and type 2 diabetes in Japanese subjects. The study subjects comprised 506 men and 493 women who first underwent anti-aging health checks at Tokai University Tokyo Hospital. Serum concentration of vitamin (V) A, VC, α-tocoferol, β-carotene, VB12, folate, ferritin and homocysteine, and fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c were used for analysis. Low levels of β-carotene and VC were significantly associated with dysglycemia. Diabetic subjects showed significantly decreased β-carotene and VC levels, and multivariate analyses suggested that low levels of β-carotene and VC were factors related to diabetes. Low levels of β-carotene and VC are significantly related to dysglycemia/type 2 diabetes, and encouraging people at a higher risk of diabetes to take more green vegetables may be useful as a dietary intervention to improve the antioxidative vitamin status and dysglycemia.

Plant Domestication: Reconstructing the Route toModern Tomatoes.

An explosion of genome sequencing has facilitated a deep understanding of the tomato's domestication history. Although the species emerged in Ecuador, domestication is likely to have occurred in Mexico whence it was transported to Europe and ultimately improved into one of our favorite foods.

Oxidative damage and associated inflammatory risk factors in obese Emirati women. Body mass index versus waist circumference.

Objectives:To establish whether body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (WC) is a better predictor of cardio metabolic risk factors that are associated with increased visceral fat among obese women from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Methods:In this cross-sectional study, 333 obese subjects visiting community health centers in Al Ain city, UAE, were recruited between 2012 and 2015. After a written consent subjects had anthropometric, clinical and biochemical measurements. Fasting serum and plasma samples were collected for the measurement of markers of oxidative damage, antioxidants and inflammation. Outcome measures were compared between 4 equal BMI and WC quartiles.Results:We observed significantly higher blood pressure, c-reactive protein levels, IL6 levels, and protein carbonyls contents and lower b-carotene levels in the fourth quartile than in the first quartile for both BMI and WC (p<0.01). Glutathione peroxidase and adiponectin both decreased and TNF-a increased with increasing WC quartiles but not BMI quartiles; however, the results were statistically significant only for TNF-a (p=0.032).Conclusion:Both elevated BMI and elevated WC are associated with increased cardio metabolic risk factors in obese Emirati women; however, WC is a stronger predictor than is BMI.

Blood antioxidant nutrients in riparian villagers of the Brazilian Amazon: its associations with wet/dry seasons and modulation by sociodemographic determinants

Abstract This study associates blood antioxidants like copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), β-carotene, lycopene and vitamins (A and E) to sociodemographic features and seasonality in communities from the Tapajós River region, Brazilian Amazon. We observed increased Mn, Se and Zn levels compared to the average Brazilian population, whereas this is only the case for β-carotene in the rainy season. Lycopene levels fall within the reference range, although lower than those found in other Brazilian regions. Cu, Se, Zn, β-carotene, lycopene and vitamin E levels vary among seasons. β-carotene, Mn and Se vary among communities. Se and Zn vary with smoking habits and sex, respectively. In addition, β-carotene and vitamins (A and E) are altered by alcohol consumption. Villagers who both farmed and fished present higher Cu and lower β-carotene levels than participants with a single occupation. Vitamin E levels depend upon the individual state of origin. These data provide important baseline information for antioxidant status in this Amazonian riparian population.

Carotenoid profiling of Hordeum chilense grains: The parental proof for the origin of the high carotenoid content and esterification pattern of tritordeum

The outstanding high carotenoid content of the tritordeum (×Tritordeum Ascherson et Graebner) grains, a promising novel cereal derived from the crossing of durum wheat and the wild barley Hordeum chilense, has previously been assigned as a character derived from the genetic background of its wild parent. The carotenoid profile of H. chilense, especially the lutein esters presented in this study, provide biochemical evidences to confirm this affirmation, being the first time that the individual carotenoid profile of this cereal has been characterized. The total carotenoid content (6.14 ± 0.12 μg/g) and the individual carotenoid composition were very similar to the tritordeum grains, with lutein being the major carotenoid (88%; 5.38 ± 0.11 μg/g) and very low levels of β-carotene. In contrast to tritordeum, H. chilense presented a considerable amount of zeaxanthin (12%; 0.74 ± 0.01 μg/g). Up to 55% of lutein was esterified with palmitic (C16:0) and linoleic (C18:2) acids, presenting a characteristic acylation pattern, in agreement with the tritordeum one, and composed by four monoesters (lutein 3′-O-linoleate, lutein 3-O-linoleate, lutein 3′-O-palmitate and lutein 3-O-palmitate) and four diesters (lutein dilinoleate, lutein 3′-O-linoleate-3-O-palmitate, lutein 3′-O-palmitate-3-O-linoleate, lutein dipalmitate). These data may be useful in the field of carotenoid biofortification of cereals.

Role of serum ß-carotene in the diagnosis and prevention of oral squamous cell carcinoma - a case control study.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common cancer of the head and neck. It accounts for more than 90% of all malignancies Which occur in the head and neck region. The high incidence and mortality rate of oral cancer stimulates continuation of research on finding new diagnostic tools or markers for it. To evaluate the possible role of serum β-carotene as a biochemical parameter in the diagnosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma. The serumβ-carotene levels in 40 patients with clinically diagnosed and histopathologically confirmed oral squamous cell carcinoma were estimated and the levels were compared with those of 40 healthy controls. The serum β-carotene levels were estimated by using a spectrophotometer. The data which was obtained was analyzed statistically by using unpaired t-test. Subjects with oral squamous cell carcinoma showed significantly lower levels of mean serum β-carotene (149.95 ± 61.29) as compared to those seen in controls (278.19 ± 90.12). The results of the present study are encouraging and they suggest that the estimation of the low levels of β-carotene in the patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma may be a useful diagnostic tool for making the diagnosis of oral squamous Cell carcinoma and thereby improving the prognosis of this dreaded disease.

Race differences in the relation of vitamins A, C, E, and β-carotene to metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers

Using archival data, we conducted a secondary analysis to examine race differences in the relation of serum vitamins A, C, E and β-carotene to insulin resistance (IR), fasting insulin and glucose, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and leukocyte count in 176 non-smoking, healthy, white, and African American (AA) adults aged 18 to 65 years (48% women, 33% AA). We hypothesized that micronutrient concentrations would be associated with early risk markers of cardiometabolic diseases in a race-dependent manner. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for micronutrients, insulin, glucose, hs-CRP, and leukocyte count. Insulin resistance was estimated using the homeostatic model assessment. After adjusting for age, body mass index, gender, educational level, use of vitamin supplements, alcohol intake, leisure time physical activity, menopausal status, and total cholesterol, we observed that β-carotene was significantly associated with insulin resistance and fasting insulin in a race-dependent manner. Among AA, lower β-carotene levels were associated with higher estimates of insulin resistance and fasting insulin; whereas, these same associations were not significant for whites. Race also significantly moderated the relation of vitamin C to leukocyte count, with lower vitamin C being associated with higher leukocyte count only in AA but not whites. For all subjects, lower β-carotene was associated with higher hs-CRP. In AA, but not whites, lower levels of β-carotene and vitamin C were significantly associated with early risk markers implicated in cardiometabolic conditions and cancer. Whether or not lower levels of micronutrients contribute uniquely to racial health disparities is a worthwhile aim for future research.

The Effect of Trace Elements Accumulation on the Levels of Secondary Metabolites and Antioxidant Activity in Carrots, Onions and Potatoes

The objective of this work is to correlate the accumulation of trace elements in food tubers with possible alterations of the secondary plant metabolism. Samples of carrots, onions and potatoes grown in the environmentally polluted area of Asopos river in Viotia, Greece and other Greek areas (control) were analysed for carotenoids by HPLC-UV and DPPH antioxidant activity. In carrots, the levels of α-carotene, β-carotene and lutein were quantified and it was found that Asopos samples had statistically significantly lower levels of β-carotene compared to control ones. Also, in potatoes, the levels of lutein in Asopos samples were statistically significantly lower than control ones. However, in onions, the levels of lutein between Asopos and control samples were not found statistically different. In all samples, no statistically significant differences in the levels of DPPH activity (measured as ΙC50: sample levels that cause 50% inhibition of DPPH scavenging activity) were observed. In conclusion, the presence of heavy metals in carrots and potatoes has affected the levels of carotenoids.

Human intestinal and lung cell lines exposed to β-carotene show a large variation in intracellular levels of β-carotene and its metabolites

Although in vitro models are often used in β-carotene research, knowledge about the uptake and metabolism of β-carotene in cell lines is lacking. We measured by HPLC the intracellular levels of β-carotene and its metabolites in 9 human intestinal and lung cell lines after exposure to 1 μM β-carotene during 2, 6, 30, 54 h, and 3 weeks. In three colorectal carcinoma cell lines only low levels of β-carotene could be detected and an apparent linear increase in intracellular β-carotene was observed during the whole exposure period of 3 weeks. The remaining cell lines (an SV40 transformed colon cell line, a small intestinal carcinoma cell line and several lung cell lines) had medium or high intracellular β-carotene levels. In these cell lines intracellular β-carotene quickly increased during the first 54 h of exposure and after 3 weeks no further increase was observed, suggesting a stable level of β-carotene after 54 h. Estimated intracellular concentrations at steady-state levels varied between 2 and 5 μM (low) or 9 and 55 μM (medium/high). Our results seem to indicate that an active uptake mechanism of β-carotene exists in at least a subset of cell lines. Seven different β-carotene metabolites were detected in the various cell lines ( cis-carotene, retinol, three epoxy-carotenes, and two retinyl esters). Metabolite levels were the highest in cells with medium or high β-carotene levels. Each cell line appeared to have a distinct metabolite profile. No intestinal or lung specific pattern could be found, but two epoxy-carotene metabolites were not detectable in the colon cell lines.

Carotenoids in the tiger prawn Penaeus esculentus during ovarian maturation

Female Penaeus esculentus Haswell were collected by 15 to 20 min duration trawls during 1990. Carotenoids were analysed in the digestive gland, abdominal muscle, the remainder of the body (hereafter called “integument”) and ovary of prawns in Stage 2 through Stage 4 (fully mature) of maturation. The only oxycarotenoids (xanthophylls) identified were astaxanthins or astaxanthin esters; occasionally low levels of β-carotene were detected in the digestive gland. The concentrations of astaxanthin monoesters (AM) and diesters (AD) were highest, with only minor amounts of free astaxanthins (Ast), except in the maturing ovaries, where free astaxanthins predominated (up to 80% of the total carotenoid). Of the total carotenoid, 82 to 94% was in the integument, but at maturity the digestive gland contained 10.7±3.4% and the ovary 5.6±0.9% of the total carotenoid. Only the ovary increased in mass during maturation, reaching up to 5.2% of total prawn mass. During this period, digestive gland concentrations of AM, AD and Ast all increased (tota 20 to 120 μg g-1); levels in the muscle and integument varied little throughout maturation (total ∼0.4 and 100 μg g-1, respectively); ovary AM levels remained low throughout (1.5 to 1.2 μg g-1), AD increased from only 2 to 5 μg g-1, but Ast increased from 2 to 34 μg g-1. Apart from the ovary, AM concentrations were the most variable. In common with other decapod Crustacea, the maturing ovary of P. esculentus contained high levels of carotenoids, indicating that these may have an important role in early development. The natural diet of P. esculentus includes a variety of carotenoids, but except for a little β-carotene, the digestive gland, where absorption occurs, contained astaxanthins, with only an occasional trace of β-carotene. This suggests that the conversion of dietary carotenoids to astaxanthin occurs soon after ingestion.

Effects of beta-carotene or polyunsaturated fatty acids and selenium supplementation on immune status of single and twin calves

The neonatal calf is especially prone to enteric and respiratory infections during the first two to three months of life. The mortality rate and disease incidence are of enormous economic importance in the production of calves. The innovation of embryo transfer techniques has made it possible to produce twin calves from both dairy and suckler cattle, therefore the health and survival of these calves is of prime importance to the viability of twin calf production. The neonatal calf relies upon three mechanisms for protection against pathogens; the barrier provided by mucus secreting epithelial cells; the non-specific engulfing of foreign antigenic material by phagocytic cells and the immunoglobulins received via the colostrum. Neonatal calves are born with low levels of β-carotene and essential fatty acids (Noble, 1984) which have both been shown to be important for the health and performance of a number of animal species (Bendich and Shapiro, 1986) and may enhance the immune response in newborn animals.