Plasma Carotenoids Research Articles

Plasma Carotenoids and Premenstrual Symptoms in a Multi-Ethnic Population of Young Women.

Premenstrual symptoms are experienced by most women of reproductive age, but effective therapies are limited. Carotenoids may have an attenuating effect on premenstrual symptoms; however, studies to date are equivocal. The objective of the present study was to examine the association between plasma concentrations of seven carotenoids and premenstrual symptom severity in 553 women from the Toronto Nutrigenomics and Health study. Participants provided information on fifteen common premenstrual symptoms and severities. Each participant completed a General Health and Lifestyle Questionnaire and provided a fasting blood sample from which plasma carotenoid concentrations were measured. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to determine associations between plasma carotenoid concentrations and premenstrual symptom severity. Beta-cryptoxanthin was associated with moderate/severe increased appetite for women in the highest compared to the lowest tertile (OR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.39, 3.89). This association remained significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons. There were no observed associations between other plasma carotenoids and any premenstrual symptoms. In summary, higher concentrations of beta-cryptoxanthin were associated with an increased appetite as a premenstrual symptom, but no associations were observed for any other carotenoid and for any other symptom.

Black pepper and vegetable oil-based emulsion synergistically enhance carotenoid bioavailability of raw vegetables in humans

This study demonstrated the combination of black pepper and a canola oil-based emulsion synergistically enhanced carotenoid bioavailability of raw vegetables in humans. In a randomized crossover design, healthy young adults consumed (1) vegetable salad (control), (2) salad with canola oil emulsion (COE), (3) salad with black pepper (BP), and (4) salad with canola oil emulsion and black pepper (COE + BP). COE + BP led to a higher AUC0–10h of total plasma carotenoids (p < 0.0005) than the control (6.1-fold), BP (2.1-fold), and COE (3.0-fold). COE + BP increased AUC0–10h of plasma lutein, α-carotene, β-carotene, and lycopene by 4.8, 9.7, 7.6, and 5.5-fold than the control, respectively (p < 0.0001). COE + BP produced a significant synergy in increasing both Cmax and AUC0–10h of total carotenoids, α-carotene, β-carotene, and lycopene. Moreover, COE + BP produced a stronger enhancement on AUC0–10h of total carotenoids, α-carotene, β-carotene, and lycopene in females than in males.

Blood Toxic Elements and Effects on Plasma Vitamins and Carotenoids in Two Wild Bird Species: Turdus merula and Columba livia

Birds have historically suffered adverse effects by toxic elements, such as As, Pb, Hg, and Cd. However, reports on exposure to a wide range of elements, including rare earth elements and other minor elements of emerging concern, and the potential consequences for wildlife are still scarce. This study evaluates blood concentrations of 50 elements and their related effects on lutein and vitamin levels in the Eurasian blackbird (Turdus merula) and wild rock pigeon (Columba livia), inhabiting different scenarios of contaminant exposure. Blood concentrations of As, Cd, and Pb (and Mn in T. merula) were increased in both species captured in the mining area, compared to the control site. T. merula also showed increased As, Cd, and Pb concentrations in blood in the agricultural–urban area, as compared to the control area, together with the highest Hg levels, which could be related to agricultural practices and industrial activities. Decreases of 33 and 38% in the plasma retinol levels in T. merula inhabiting the mining and the agricultural–urban areas, respectively, as compared to the control site, were associated with increased Pb, As, and Cd exposure. This could be due to a metal-driven suppressive effect in retinol metabolism and/or its over-use for coping with metal-related oxidative stress.

Plasma Concentrations and Maternal-Umbilical Cord Plasma Ratios of the Six Most Prevalent Carotenoids across Five Groups of Birth Gestational Age.

Carotenoids are antioxidant nutrients with the potential to provide protection against oxidative stress. Plasma carotenoid concentrations are lower in newborn infants compared to their mothers; however, limited information is available regarding how concentrations differ by gestational age. The objective of this research is to assess maternal and umbilical cord plasma carotenoid concentrations and maternal-umbilical cord plasma ratios across five groups of birth gestational age. Mother-infant dyads were enrolled at delivery for collection of maternal and umbilical cord blood. Plasma carotenoids were analyzed by HPLC and LC-MS/MS. Birth gestational age was categorized into five groups, and the Kruskal–Wallis test compared carotenoid concentrations and maternal-umbilical cord plasma ratios between these groups. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. 370 mother-infant dyads were included, with most infants delivered at early term (20.3%) or term (64.6%). Though maternal plasma concentrations increased with birth gestational age, we observed less variability in umbilical cord plasma concentrations, thus the maternal-umbilical cord plasma ratio also increased with birth CGA groups for lutein + zeaxanthin (p = 0.008), β-cryptoxanthin (p = 0.027), α-carotene (p = 0.030); β-carotene approached significance (p = 0.056). Additional research is needed to determine if carotenoid concentrations were physiologic to varying gestational ages or if they were impacted by factors associated with preterm birth.

Moringa oleifera Supplementation Improves Antioxidant Status and Biochemical Indices by Attenuating Early Pregnancy Stress in Beetal Goats.

This study investigated the effects of supplementing different levels of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MOLP) on antioxidant status and blood biochemical indices during early gestation in Beetal goats. A total of 30 goats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10) comprising control (basal diet without MOLP), the 1.6% MOLP supplemented group (basal diet + 1.6% MOLP), and the 3.2% MOLP supplemented group (basal diet + 3.2% MOLP). The experiment started 5 days before estrus synchronization and lasted till day 60 of gestation. The MOLP significantly increased plasma flavonoids in 1.6% as well as 3.2% supplemented group on days 40 and 60 of pregnancy, while total phenolic contents were observed to be higher in the 3.2% MOLP supplemented group throughout the experiment in comparison with the control group. The supplementation improved plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) by decreasing malondialdehyde (MDA) and total oxidant status (TOS) in contrast to the control group. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) were enhanced in both supplemented groups, whereas catalase (CAT) activity was noticed to be significantly high in the 3.2% MOLP supplemented group. The protein contents were significantly elevated with 1.6 and 3.2% supplementation levels from day 40 to day 60 of the experiment. Plasma sugar level, carotenoids, progesterone profile, and hydrolytic (protease and amylase) enzymes activities were improved only when supplemented with 3.2% MOLP. The findings suggest that supplementing with 3.2% MOLP provides beneficial effects on early pregnancy stress in Beetal goats.

A Single Dose of Marine Chlorella vulgaris Increases Plasma Concentrations of Lutein, β-Carotene and Zeaxanthin in Healthy Male Volunteers.

The beneficial health effects of Chlorella vulgaris have been associated with the presence of several nutrients and antioxidants, including carotenoids. However, the in vivo bioavailability of Chlorella is still poorly evaluated. In this work, a human intervention study was conducted in 11 healthy men to evaluate the bioavailability of carotenoids within 3 days after the intake of a single dose (6 g) of dried marine Chlorella vulgaris containing lutein (7.08 mg), β-carotene (1.88 mg) and zeaxanthin (1.47 mg). Subjects were instructed to follow a low carotenoid diet during the experimental phase, starting 1 week earlier. On the day of the experiment, dried microalgae formulated in vegetarian hard capsules were ingested, and blood samples were collected up to 72 h for the analysis of plasma carotenoids concentration by high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection. For all carotenoids, the estimated AUC and Cmax values were significantly different from zero (p < 0.05), indicating that a single dose of marine Chlorella vulgaris increased plasma concentrations of lutein (Cmin-corrected AUC = 1002 µg·h/L, Cmax = 20.4 µg/L), β-carotene (AUC = 1302 µg·h/L, Cmax = 34.9 µg/L) and zeaxanthin (AUC = 122.2 µg·h/L, Cmax = 3.4 µg/L). The bioavailability of other compounds, namely, polyunsaturated fatty acids and trace elements, was also assessed post-prandial for the first time, showing that linoleic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and iodine were absorbed after microalgae intake. These findings support the use of Chlorella vulgaris as a source of carotenoids, PUFA and essential trace elements with associated health benefits.

Associations of Subtype and Isomeric Plasma Carotenoids with Prostate Cancer Risk in Low-Income African and European Americans.

Various carotenoids in circulation, including isomers, may have different influences on cancer risk. We conducted a nested case-control study including 343 incident prostate cancer cases and 640 controls individually matched on age, race, study site, and time of blood collection. Carotenoids investigated were carotene, cryptoxanthin, lycopene, dihydrolycopene, lutein, anhydrolutein, and zeaxanthin, including α versus β configurations and cis versus trans isomers. General linear model and conditional logistic regression were applied to evaluate associations for prostate cancer risk, with adjustment for potential confounders. We conducted additional analyses with further stratification by race, multivitamin use, and smoking status. Case-control differences were found in carotenoid subtype levels, although not all reached the multiple comparison adjusted threshold for significance. Plasma lycopene [ORT1 vs. T3 = 0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.29-0.87; P trend = 0.014], dihydrolycopene (ORT1 vs. T3 = 0.37; 95% CI, 0.18-0.74; P trend = 0.006), and cis-anhydrolutein (ORT1 vs. T3 = 0.57; 95% CI, 0.33-0.96; P trend = 0.037) were inversely, while β-trans-carotene (ORT1 vs. T3 = 2.13; 95% CI, 1.32-3.43; P trend = 0.002) and trans-lutein (ORT1 vs. T3, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.20-2.88; P trend = 0.006) were positively associated with prostate cancer risk. Stratified analyses showed inverse associations of lycopene, dihydrolycopene, and cis-anhydrolutein with prostate cancer risk in subjects without multivitamin use; lycopene and dihydrolycopene in African-Americans and current smokers; and dihydrolycopene in nonsmokers. Positive associations of β-trans-carotene and trans-lutein were observed in African-Americans, nonsmokers, and multivitamin users. The associations of carotenoids with risk of prostate cancer differed by carotenoid subtypes. Public health recommendations on carotenoid intakes for prostate cancer prevention should take subtypes and isomers into consideration.

Blood plasma resonance Raman spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis for esophageal cancer detection.

We herein report a novel, reliable and inexpensive method for detecting esophageal cancer using blood plasma resonance Raman spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis methods. The blood plasma samples were divided into late stage cancer group (n=164), early stage cancer group (n=35) and normal group (n=135) based on clinical pathological diagnosis. Using a specially designed quartz capillary tube as sample holder, we obtained higher quality resonance Raman spectra of blood plasma than existing method. The study demonstrated that the carotenoids levels in blood plasma were reduced in esophageal cancer patients. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (and 95% confidence interval) calculated by wavenumber selection and principal component analysis combined with linear discriminant analysis (PC-LDA) algorithm were 0.894 (0.858-0.929), 0.901 (0.841-0.960) and 0.871 (0.799-0.942) for differentiating late cancer from normal, late cancer from early cancer, and early cancer from normal respectively. The contribution from the two carotenoids wavenumber regions of 1155 and 1515 cm-1 were more than 84.2%. The results show that the plasma carotenoids could be a potential biomarker for screening esophageal cancer using resonance Raman spectroscopy combined with wavenumber selection and PC-LDA algorithms.

Plasma Lutein, a Nutritional Biomarker for Development of Advanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The Alienor Study.

Lutein and zeaxanthin may lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We evaluated the associations of plasma lutein and zeaxanthin with the incidence of advanced AMD in the Alienor study (Antioxydants Lipides Essentiels Nutrition et Maladies Oculaires). Alienor study is a prospective population-based cohort of 963 residents of Bordeaux, France, who were 73 years or older at baseline (2006–2008). The present study included 609 participants with complete ophthalmologic and plasma carotenoids data. Examinations were performed every two years over an eight-year period (2006 to 2017). Plasma lutein and zeaxanthin were determined at baseline from fasting blood samples using high-performance liquid chromatography. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess associations between plasma lutein, zeaxanthin, and their (total cholesterol (TC) + triglycerides (TG)) ratios with AMD. Among the 609 included participants, 54 developed advanced incident AMD during a median follow-up time of 7.6 years (range 0.7 to 10.4). Participants with higher plasma lutein had a reduced risk for incident advanced AMD in the fully adjusted model (HR = 0.63 per 1-SD increase (95% CI, 0.41–0.97), p = 0.03). A similar association was observed using the lutein/(TC + TG) ratio (HR = 0.59 (95% CI, 0.39–0.90), p = 0.01). No associations were evidenced for other carotenoids. Higher plasma lutein was associated with a 37% reduced risk of incident advanced AMD.

Wolfberry Consumption with a Healthy Dietary Pattern Lowers Oxidative Stress and Improves Carotenoids Status in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract Objectives The incorporation of zeaxanthin rich wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) into a healthy dietary pattern may augment its antioxidant effects although evidence evaluating whole fruits is lacking. The objectives of this study are to (1) investigate the impact of dietary counselling, either with or without whole dried wolfberry on oxidative stress status in middle-aged and older Singaporean adults and (2) delineate underlying mechanisms by examining associations with the corresponding changes in carotenoids status. Methods In this 16-week, parallel design randomized controlled trial, 40 subjects (29 F, 11 M; aged 50 to 64 y) received dietary counselling to follow a healthy dietary pattern. Compared to the control group (CG, n = 18), the wolfberry group (WG, n = 22) additionally cooked and consumed 15 g/d whole dried wolfberry with their main meals. Biomarkers of oxidative stress (plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assay and 8-isoprostanes by ELISA) were measured at baseline and week 16. Plasma and dietary carotenoids analyzed by HPLC and 3-day food records respectively were measured at baseline, week 8 and week 16 while skin carotenoids status (SCS) by resonance Raman spectroscopy was assayed every 4 weeks. Results Plasma 8-isoprostanes showed a time effect (P &amp;lt; 0.05), attributed to the marked decline in the WG only (WG: −19.0 ± 43.6 ng/L; CG: −7.7 ± 38.7 ng/L, mean ± SD) though no effect was observed for MDA. A significant interaction effect (P &amp;lt; 0.001), driven by higher plasma zeaxanthin (WG: +0.08 ± 0.13 nmol/L; CG: −0.03 ± 0.05 nmol/L) and SCS (WG: +4242 ± 4938 a.u.; CG: +1713 ± 5921 a.u.) was observed in the WG with a marked increase evident from week 8 onwards although concentrations of the other plasma carotenoids were maintained. Moreover, the change value for plasma zeaxanthin in the WG was inversely associated with the corresponding changes in plasma 8-isoprostanes (−0.21 (−0.43, 0.00) ng/µmol, regression coefficient (95% CI); P = 0.05). This same association was absent in the CG. Conclusions Consuming wolfberry with a healthy dietary pattern attenuates oxidative stress in middle-aged and older adults and this may be attributed to the rich zeaxanthin content in wolfberry. Funding Sources National University of Singapore Ministry of Education, Singapore Agency for Science, Technology and Research.

RRR-a-Tocopherols and Carotenoids in Maternal Blood, Cord Blood and Breast Milk in China

ObjectivesThe study aimed to investigate the levels of RRR-α-tocopherol and carotenoids in maternal blood, cord blood and breast milk samples of different lactation stages from healthy Chinese mothers and to explore their associations with social demographical characteristics. MethodsThe study was part of a MUAI study (Maternal Nutrition and Infant Investigation, ChiCTR1800015387). Samples collectionHealthy lactating mothers (aged 20–35 year) with single, full-term delivery were recruited in Tianjin city. Maternal blood, cord blood, colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk samples were collected. Sample analysisThe levels of tocopherols and carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, β-carotene,lycopene) were determined by HPLC. The compositions of α-tocopherol stereoisomers were determined by chiral HPLC. ResultsMaternal blood plasma contained higher α-tocopherol level than cord blood plasma and breast milk samples. In breast milk samples, the levels of α-tocopherol reduced with lactation stages for about three times. Even though the levels of α-tocopherol varied in plasma and breast milk, RRR-α-tocopherol (RRR) were predominant in all samples, accounting for 83%∼90% of α-tocopherol. The results suggestted RRR was preferred stereoisomers for maternal and newborn. Carotenoids were also more abundant in maternal blood plasma than in cord blood plasma and breast milk samples. The total carotenoids level in maternal blood plasma was about 8 times higher than cord blood plasma and 2.5 times of colostrum. The level of total carotenoids decreased with the lactation stages due to the dramatically dropped of lycopene and β-carotene. In contrast, lutein level remained stable in breast milk and was the most abundant carotenoids in transitional milk, mature milk and blood plasma, suggesting that fetus and infant had continuous demand for lutein. The levels of carotenoids and RRR in maternal and cord blood plasma were related to parity, pre-pregnancy and prenatal BMI. The levels of carotenoids and RRR in breast milk samples were correlated with cord plasma. ConclusionsRRR- α-tocopherol and lutein were the most abundant α-tocopherol and carotenoids in Chinese cord blood plasma and breast milk, suggesting that they may play more important roles in early life. Funding SourcesThis study was funded by Abbott Nutrition R&D Centre, Shanghai, China.

Pilot Feasibility, Reliability, and Validity Assessment of Infant Skin Carotenoids Measured by Reflection Spectroscopy as a Non-invasive Biomarker of Carotenoid Intake

Abstract Objectives Skin carotenoid measurement by reflection spectroscopy offers a rapid, non-invasive assessment of carotenoid intake and status. However, feasibility, reliability, and validity have not been established in infants. We hypothesize that skin carotenoid measurement of infants’ heels and fingers will be feasible, reliable, and valid. Methods Skin carotenoid score (SCS) was measured by a modified, portable reflection spectroscopy device (Veggie Meter) at the index finger and heel of the foot in infants at 4 (n = 21), 6 (n = 12), and 8 (n = 9) months of age. Infant plasma, milk formula, and mother's breast milk carotenoid concentrations were measured by HPLC, while infant carotenoid intake was estimated from 7-day food diaries and 3 × 24-hour parent recalls. Feasibility was assessed by time to acquire triplicate reads and reliability was assessed by the coefficient of variation (CV) of triplicates and the Pearson's correlation between mean heel and finger SCS. Validity was established in 4-month-olds if skin carotenoid scores were moderately correlated (r &amp;gt; 0.5) with breast milk carotenoid concentrations during exclusive milk-feeding (n = 16) and with infant plasma carotenoid concentrations (n = 11). Results Twenty-one infants (52% female) were enrolled (47% non-Hispanic white, 29% Hispanic white, 14% African American, and 10% Asian). Triplicate heel and finger SCSs were feasibly acquired in 56 ± 11 to 87 ± 32 seconds, respectively. Heel and finger SCS reliability was similar (mean CV range 18 ± 13 to 32 ± 22%), and mean within-subject heel and finger SCSs were highly correlated (r = 0.81, P = 1 × 10−5) in 4-month-olds. Finger and heel SCSs were valid correlates of total infant plasma carotenoid concentrations (r = 0.77, P = 0.006 and r = 0.66, P = 0.026, respectively). Finger SCS significantly correlated with breast milk carotenoids (r = 0.66, P = 0.006), while heel SCS non-significantly correlated (r = 0.40, P = 0.13). Conclusions This pilot suggests that infant skin carotenoids can be feasibly measured by reflection spectroscopy and that finger SCSs are correlated with both infant plasma carotenoid concentrations and maternal breast milk carotenoid concentrations. Skin carotenoid measurement should be further investigated to facilitate the assessment of infant dietary intake and health outcomes. Funding Sources Texas Children's Hospital, USDA-ARS.

Biomarkers of Dietary Patterns: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials

ObjectivesWe undertook a systematic review of clinical trials to identify a) dietary biomarkers being used to assess dietary pattern compliance, and b) novel biomarkers that are affected by intake of distinct dietary patterns. MethodsThe search strategy was developed in Medline and adapted for four additional databases: EMBASE, Cochrane CENTRAL, PreMedline, and CINAHL. Two independent reviewers extracted data and assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane tool. ResultsLiterature search retrieved 3930 records; 450 full texts were assessed, and 30 articles reporting randomised controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. The most studied dietary patterns were the Mediterranean diet, healthy Nordic diet, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, followed by low glycaemic-load diet, vegetarian diet, diets based on national and international guidelines (i.e., United Kingdom and World Health Organization Eating Guidelines), Korean diet and prudent diet. Of these, 13 articles incorporated prospectively identified dietary biomarkers, the most common being omega-3 index from erythrocytes or whole blood, 24-h urinary electrolytes, and serum or plasma carotenoids. Seventeen articles identified novel metabolomic biomarkers associated with dietary patterns, the most frequently identified being those associated with protein, lipid, and fish intakes. ConclusionsUsing dietary biomarkers of single nutrients, individual foods and food groups is commonly used to assess dietary compliance to dietary pattern interventions in controlled settings. However, identifying an individual’s specific or broad dietary pattern, based on their biomarker profile, remains an area for future research. A framework that incorporates multiple biomarkers of individual dietary characteristics is likely necessary to accurately capture the complexity of dietary patterns. Funding SourcesN/A.

Spillover Effects of a Family-Based Childhood Obesity Intervention on Parental Nutrient Biomarkers and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

ObjectivesTo evaluate the impact of a family-based weight management intervention for children with overweight/obesity on parental nutrient biomarker concentrations and cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRF). MethodsSecondary analysis from a randomized-controlled, parallel-arm clinical trial. Families were recruited from a largely Hispanic population and assigned to either Standard Care (SC; American Academy of Pediatrics overweight/obesity recommendations) or Standard Care + Enhanced Program (SC + EP; eight skill-building cores, subsequent monthly support sessions, targeted diet/physical activity strategies). Nutrient biomarkers (plasma carotenoids and fat soluble vitamins; red blood cell [RBC] fatty acid profiles) and CMRF (BMI, blood pressure, plasma glucose, insulin, lipid profile, inflammatory markers and adipokine concentrations) were measured in archived samples collected from the parents at baseline and at the end of the 1-year intervention. ResultsParents of children in both groups (SC = 106; SC + EP = 99) had significantly lower total SFA (–3%) and trans fatty acid (–14%), and higher MUFA (2%), PUFAn-6 (2%), PUFAn-3 (7%) and beta-carotene (20%) concentrations, indicative of decreased partially-hydrogenated fat and increased vegetable oil, fish and fruit/vegetable intake, respectively. In both groups, there were significant reductions in inflammatory markers (hsCRP [–21%], TNFα [–19%] and IL-6 [–19%]), but not in BMI, blood pressure or lipid profile. Parents with children assigned to the SC + EP group had additional improvements in serum insulin (–6%) and leptin (–1.3%) concentrations. Using multiple linear regression models adjusted for sex, age, group, baseline BMI, and baseline CMRF values, improvements in circulating inflammatory and glucose metabolism markers, and adipokine concentrations were associated with higher carotenoid and PUFAn-3 (specifically 20:5n-3), and lower SFA and trans fatty acid concentrations, at the end of the 1-year intervention. ConclusionsThese results suggest that a family-based childhood obesity intervention can spill over to parents, resulting in apparent healthier dietary shifts that are associated with modest improvements in some CMRF. Funding SourcesNIH, NIDDK, USDA.

Higher Plasma α-Carotene Was Associated With Better Cognitive Function: A Cross-Sectional Evaluation Among the MIND Trial Participants

Abstract Objectives There is emerging evidence linking fruit and vegetable consumption and cognitive function. However, mechanistic evidence underlying this relationship is lacking. We aim to examine the association between plasma carotenoids and cognition in a population at risk for cognitive decline. Methods The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) trial (R01 AG052583) is an ongoing randomized controlled intervention on the effects of the MIND diet in preventing cognitive decline. The primary outcome is global cognition assessed using a battery of 12 cognitive tests. Plasma carotenoid levels were measured in 295 participants. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the association between blood nutrients and global and domain-specific cognition. Model was adjusted for age, sex, education, study site, smoking status, and frequency of cognitive and physical activities. The Benjamini-Hochberg method with a false discovery rate of 0.25 was used for multiple testing. Results Participants are predominantly Caucasian females (68%) with obesity (BMI 33.6) and a mean age of 69.8 years. High plasma α-carotene was associated with higher average scores for a global measure of cognition. Individuals in the highest tertile of plasma α-carotene levels (tertile median: 155.8 mcg/L) had a higher average score of 0.17 for global cognition compared to those in the lowest tertile (tertile median: 34.9 mcg/L, P = 0.002). Individuals with high plasma α-carotene levels had a dietary pattern that featured high consumption of vegetables other than green leafy vegetables (i.e., carrots, corn, beets, green beans, and onions), and fruits, as well as, lower consumption of butter, margarine, and fried foods. Plasma levels of α-carotene (p for trend 0.007) and lutein plus zeaxanthin (p for trend 0.009) were also associated with higher mean scores for semantic memory. Conclusions Higher circulating levels of specific forms of carotenoids i.e., α-carotene, lutein plus zeaxanthin was associated with higher scores of global and domain-specific cognitive function in a US population at risk for cognitive decline. Funding Sources Funding: R01 AG052583

The Effects of Chemotherapy on Circulating Plasma Carotenoids and Fat-Soluble Vitamins in Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract Objectives Chemotherapy upregulates inflammatory processes as measured by circulating concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and their signaling lipids. Our objective was to observe if breast cancer chemotherapy influenced the circulating concentrations of provitamin A and non-provitamin A carotenoids and fat-soluble vitamins (FSVs) in free-living patients. Methods Serum samples were collected from patients (n = 34) immediately prior to standard adjuvant and neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer, and 4 months following chemotherapy commencement. Patient multivitamin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drug use was noted at both visits. Lipophilic extracts of serum were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) to quantify α- and β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, retinol, α-tocopherol and phylloquinone. Linear mixed models were developed to assess the relationship between the main factors (i.e., chemotherapy, multivitamin, and NSAID use), and their interaction effects, on serum carotenoid and fat-soluble vitamin concentrations. Random effects included a fixed intercept for each subject. Results Chemotherapy was significantly associated with reduced serum concentrations of α-carotene (P = 0.053) and retinol (P = 0.042), with a trend observed for reduced β-carotene (P = 0.076) and phylloquinone (P = 0.082). There was no main effect of multivitamin or NSAID use on any analytes investigated. An interaction effect was observed for chemotherapy * multivitamin use, with increased concentrations of serum retinol (P = 0.004) and lycopene (P = 0.004), and a trend observed for zeaxanthin (P = 0.087) for those who took multivitamins. Chemotherapy * NSAID use was also significantly associated with a trend in increased serum lutein (P = 0.061) for those who consumed NSAIDS. Conclusions Our results suggest randomized, controlled trials of multivitamin use and/or provitamin A carotenoid-rich food consumption merit further investigation in patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Funding Sources This research was supported by The Ohio State University Stefanie Spielman Breast Cancer Center Kroger Fund, Pelotonia, NIH R01CA189947, NIH Award Number Grant P30 CA016058, OSU, and OSUCCC.

Eat yourself sexy: how selective macronutrient intake influences the expression of a visual signal in common mynas.

Producing colored signals often requires consuming dietary carotenoid pigments. Evidence that food deprivation can reduce coloration, however, raises the question of whether other dietary nutrients contribute to signal coloration, and furthermore, whether individuals can voluntarily select food combinations to achieve optimal coloration. We created a two-way factorial design to manipulate macronutrient and carotenoid access in common mynas (Acridotheres tristis) and measured eye patch coloration as a function of the food combinations individuals selected. Mynas had access to either water or carotenoid-supplemented water and could either eat a standard captive diet or choose freely between three nutritionally defined pellets (protein, lipid or carbohydrate). Mynas supplemented with both carotenoids and macronutrient pellets had higher color scores than control birds. Male coloration tended to respond more to nutritional manipulation than females, with color scores improving in macronutrient- and carotenoid-supplemented individuals compared with controls. All mynas consuming carotenoids had higher levels of plasma carotenoids, but only males showed a significant increase by the end of the experiment. Dietary carotenoids and macronutrient intake consumed in combination tended to increase plasma carotenoid concentrations the most. These results demonstrate for the first time that consuming specific combinations of macronutrients along with carotenoids contributes to optimizing a colorful signal, and point to sex-specific nutritional strategies. Our findings improve our knowledge of how diet choices affect signal expression and, by extension, how nutritionally impoverished diets, such as those consumed by birds in cities, might affect sexual selection processes and, ultimately, population dynamics.

Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) Consumption with a Healthy Dietary Pattern Lowers Oxidative Stress in Middle-Aged and Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Incorporating zeaxanthin-rich wolfberry (Lycium barbarum) into a healthy dietary pattern may augment its antioxidant potential. The present 16-week, parallel design randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the impact of adhering to a healthy dietary pattern, either with or without whole dried wolfberry (15 g/d) on oxidative stress status (plasma malondialdehyde and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α) in middle-aged and older adults. Changes to carotenoids status (plasma and skin carotenoids) and body composition were further evaluated to explore potential mechanisms which underlie the antioxidant properties of wolfberry. Plasma 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α, plasma zeaxanthin and skin carotenoids status were significantly raised in the wolfberry consuming group (n = 22; p < 0.05) compared to the control group which showed no changes (n = 18). Likewise in the wolfberry group only, inverse association was observed between the change values of plasma zeaxanthin and plasma 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (−0.21 (−0.43, 0.00) ng/µmol, regression coefficient (95% CI); p = 0.05). Wolfberry consumption with a healthy dietary pattern may serve as a dietary strategy to attenuate lipid peroxidation among middle-aged and older adults who are at a heightened risk of oxidative stress induced age-related disorders. The antioxidant properties of wolfberry may be attributed to its rich zeaxanthin content.

Effect of a carotenoid-producing Bacillus strain on intestinal barrier integrity and systemic delivery of carotenoids: A randomised trial in animals and humans

The aim of the present study was to investigate effects of the carotenoid-producing Bacillus indicus strain PD01 on intestinal barrier function and its ability to survive passage through the gastrointestinal tract and to assess systemic bioavailability of these carotenoids in vivo. As model for impaired barrier function, 16 early weaned piglets were randomly assigned to a control diet or control diet with PD01 for 23 days. In addition, 67 overweight/obese, otherwise healthy individuals were randomly assigned to groups receiving PD01 or placebo for 6 weeks. PD01 survived passage through the gastrointestinal tract in piglets and human subjects and resulted in significant accumulation of PD01 derived carotenoids (methyl-glycosyl-apo-8′-lycopenoate and glycosyl-apo-8′-lycopene) in human plasma after 3- and 6-weeks supplementation versus baseline (0.044 and 0.076 vs 0 µM, respectively; p < 0.001). PD01 supplementation resulted in higher expression levels of occludin in the distal small intestine (1.38 ± 0.31 vs 0.59 ± 0.14; p = 0.044) and transepithelial electrical resistance in the mid colon (34.1 ± 3.01 vs 24.3 ± 1.13 Ω.cm2; p = 0.019) of early weaned piglets compared to control. In overweight/obese individuals with preserved barrier integrity, PD01 did not affect sugar excretion (p ≥ 0.104). In summary, PD01 survived transit through the gastrointestinal tract, resulted in systemic carotenoid accumulation and improved compromised barrier function outcomes.

A meta-analysis of studies examining associations between resonance Raman spectroscopy-assessed skin carotenoids and plasma carotenoids among adults and children.

ContextNo meta-analyses appeared to have been conducted to examine overall correlations between resonance Raman spectroscopy (RRS)–assessed skin carotenoids and plasma/serum carotenoids.ObjectiveTo review the available literature and quantify the association between RRS-assessed skin carotenoids and plasma/serum carotenoids via a meta-analysis of observational studies.Data SourcesTo identify relevant publications, we searched the PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ProQuest, and Scopus databases in April 2020 for items combining 3 concepts: Raman spectroscopy, skin, and plasma or serum.Data ExtractionCriteria for inclusion were publication in a peer-reviewed journal between 1990 and 2020, available in English language, and results reported as a baseline Pearson correlation coefficient. In teams of 2, the researchers independently reviewed titles and abstracts of 2212 nonduplicate papers with initial screening yielding 62 papers for full-text review, of which 15 were deemed eligible for inclusion.Data AnalysisA random-effects model in R (version 4.0.0) “meta” package was used to analyze the correlation between RRS-assessed skin and plasma/serum carotenoids. A subgroup analysis was conducted for studies involving adults and children, respectively.ConclusionsThe 15 studies included 1155 individuals: 963 adults and 192 children. One study included children and adults. The random-effects model yielded an overall correlation of 0.68 (95%CI, 0.61–0.74; I2 = 74%; P < 0.01). The results were similar when grouped by adults and children. Among 963 adults, the correlation in the random-effects model was 0.69 (95%CI, 0.61–0.75; I2 = 78%; P < 0.01). Among 192 children, the correlation in the random-effects model was 0.66 (95%CI, 0.52– 0.77; I2 = 55%; P = 0.06). Overall, there was a positive, statistically significant correlation between RRS-assessed skin carotenoids and plasma/serum carotenoids in a pooled meta-analysis of 15 studies.Systematic Review RegistrationPROSPERO (record number 178835)