Serum Carotenoid Concentrations Research Articles

Dietary, anthropometric, and lifestyle correlates of serum carotenoids in postmenopausal women

Concentration of carotenoids in the serum is a biomarker of mainly vegetable and fruit consumption. However, the levels of carotenoids in humans may decline with age and can also depend on body fat, alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking. Food intake and characteristics of 159 randomly chosen women aged 56-75 years were obtained by a self-administered questionnaire. Serum concentrations of carotenoids were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Estimation of fat mass was carried out by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The estimated total daily intake of carotenoids was 9.75 mg: α-carotene 10.6%; β-carotene 35.6%; lutein/zeaxanthin 27.1%; β-cryptoxanthin 4.7%; and lycopene 22.0%. We observed statistically significant positive correlations between concentrations of serum carotenoids and their estimated intakes (r = 0.11 lycopene to 0.38 β-carotene) and fruit and vegetable intake (r = 0.15 lycopene to 0.30 β-carotene). Concentration of serum carotenoids positively correlated with education (r = 0.17 α-carotene to 0.29 lycopene) and alcohol intake (r = 0.02 α-carotene to r = 0.25 lycopene). Inverse correlations were with the age (r = -0.18 α-carotene to -0.42 lycopene) and fat mass (r = -0.15 lycopene to -0.29 α-, β-carotene). In this population of healthy postmenopausal women, serum concentrations of carotenoids declined with increasing age and body fat mass. The concentrations were increased among women with high vegetable and fruit consumption, moderate alcohol intake, and high level of education.

Serum β-carotene concentrations and the risk of congestive heart failure in men: A population-based study

Fruit and vegetable intake has been associated with lower risk for cardiovascular diseases, but data on congestive heart failure (CHF) are inconsistent. The association of serum carotenoids, biomarkers reflecting fruit and vegetable intake, with the risk of CHF has not been well documented in previous studies. We therefore examined the association between carotenoid levels and the risk of CHF. Data were available for 1031 males aged 46 to 65 years participating in the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study (Finland). Baseline data for the present study were collected between 1991 and 1993. The association between serum concentrations of carotenoids and the risk of CHF was examined by using Cox proportional hazard models. During the median of 17.8 follow-up years, CHF occurred in 72 patients. Age and examination year adjusted risk (hazard ratio, HR) for CHF among men within the lowest quartile of serum β-carotene was 4.08 (95% CI, 1.90-8.78, p<0.001) as compared to men in the highest quartile of serum β-carotene. After further adjustment for many potential confounders, men with the lowest quartile of β-carotene had almost 3-fold increased risk of CHF (HR=2.78, 95% CI, 1.23-6.25, p=0.014). However, serum concentrations of lycopene and α-carotene were not related to the risk of CHF. The present study suggests that low concentrations of serum β-carotene may be associated with an increased risk of CHF.

Absorption, Storage and Distribution of β-Cryptoxanthin in Rat after Chronic Administration of Satsuma Mandarin (&lt;i&gt;Citrus unshiu&lt;/i&gt; MARC.) Juice

Fruits and vegetables contain numerous antioxidants, such as carotenoids. Recent epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that a high dietary consumption of fruit and vegetables rich in carotenoids or with high serum carotenoid concentrations results in lower risks of certain cancers, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. These results indicate that absorbed carotenoids are stored in various organs. Previously, we found that β-cryptoxanthin, found especially in Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu MARC.), is easily absorbed and can also survive for a relatively long time in the human body; however, little is known about the absorption, storage, and tissue distribution of β-cryptoxanthin. In this study, we measured serum and the content of β-cryptoxanthin in several rat tissues after chronic ingestion of Satsuma mandarin extract rich in β-cryptoxanthin. Rats were fed a standard commercial diet containing Satsuma mandarin extract (containing β-cryptoxanthin at 11.7 mg/kg diet) for eight weeks. After 3 h of fasting, serum, liver, spleen, kidney, lung, heart, testis, brain, and epididymal fat were collected. The concentrations of β-cryptoxanthin in serum and tissues were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography. There was a wide range in the tissue levels of β-cryptoxanthin; liver had the greatest value, with 1265.3 ng/g tissue, followed by spleen, kidney, lung, heart, brain, and testis. Epididymal fat had the lowest value, with 6.99 ng/g tissue. β-Cryptoxanthin was also detected in serum in a concentration of 5.76 ng/mL. These results indicate that β-cryptoxanthin is easily absorbed and accumulated in several organs.

High Serum Carotenoids Associated with Lower Risk for Bone Loss and Osteoporosis in Post-Menopausal Japanese Female Subjects: Prospective Cohort Study

IntroductionRecent epidemiological studies show that high intakes of carotenoids might be useful to maintain bone health, but little is known about the association of serum carotenoids with change of bone mineral density (BMD). The objective of this study was to investigate longitudinally whether serum carotenoids are associated with bone loss.MethodsWe conducted a follow-up on 146 male and 99 pre- and 212 post-menopausal female subjects from the Mikkabi study. Those who participated in previous BMD surveys and completed four years of follow-up were examined longitudinally.ResultsDuring a 4-year follow-up, 15 of the post-menopausal female subjects developed new-onset osteoporosis. In contrast, none of the male and pre-menopausal female subjects did. In male and pre-menopausal female subjects, the six serum carotenoids at the baseline were not associated with bone loss. On the other hand, in post-menopausal female subjects, the 4-year bone loss of radius was inversely associated with the serum carotenoid concentrations, especially in β-carotene. After adjustments for confounders, the odds ratios (OR) for osteoporosis in the highest tertiles of serum β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin against the lowest tertiles were 0.24 (95% confidence interval 0.05–1.21) and 0.07 (CI: 0.01–0.88), respectively. Serum β-cryptoxanthin was also inversely associated with the risk for osteopenia and/or osteoporosis (P for trend, 0.037). In addition, our retrospective analysis revealed that subjects who developed osteoporosis and/or osteopenia during the survey period had significantly lower serum concentrations of β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene at the baseline than those in the normal group.ConclusionsAntioxidant carotenoids, especially β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene, are inversely associated with the change of radial BMD in post-menopausal female subjects.

Serum β-carotene and the risk of sudden cardiac death in men: A population-based follow-up study

ObjectivesTo examine whether serum concentrations of carotenoids are related to the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in middle-aged men. MethodsThe study population consisted of 1031 Finnish men aged 46–65 years of the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor (KIHD) cohort. Serum concentrations of carotenoids were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The hazard ratios (HR) of serum β-carotene, lycopene and α-carotene were estimated by using the Cox proportional hazard model after adjusting for age and other potential confounding factors. ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 15.9 years a total of 59 incidents of SCD occurred. After controlling for age, systolic blood pressure, waist circumference, smoking, alcohol consumption, years of education, serum LDL cholesterol, serum hs-CRP, diabetes, prevalent coronary heart disease (CHD) and congestive heart failure (CHF), men in the lowest tertile of serum concentrations of β-carotene had a 2-fold increased risk of SCD (HR=2.15, 95% CI: 1.02–4.51; p=0.044) as compared to those in the highest tertile. The risk of SCD was borderline significant for lycopene. In addition, low serum β-carotene concentrations increased the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and total mortality. Lycopene and α-carotene were not related to the risk of SCD. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that low serum β-carotene concentrations may increase the risk of SCD in middle-aged Finnish men. Furthermore, low serum β-carotene concentrations may be related to the risk of CVD and total mortality.

Increased vegetable and fruit consumption during weight loss effort correlates with increased weight and fat loss

Background:Individuals who focused on calorie counting lost more weight than those who focused on increasing vegetable and fruit (V&F) intake in a weight loss program. We now present serum carotenoid data (biomarkers of V&F intake) from both groups and test whether these biomarkers correlate with changes in weight and body fat.Design:Sixty obese volunteers were randomized to one of the following weight loss programs: 500 kcal per day reduction (Reduction) or a focus on consuming eight vegetables per day and 2–3 fruits per day (HiVeg). Volunteers in the Reduction group were 36.8±10.3 years with a body mass index of 33.5; 83% were white, 17% chose not to report race; 70% were not Hispanic or Latino, 13% were Hispanic or Latino and 17% chose not to report ethnicity. Volunteers in the HiVeg group were 30.4±6.6 years with a body mass index of 33.2: 74% white, 11% Asian, 5% black or African American, 5% multiracial and 5% chose not to report race; 89% were not Hispanic or Latino, 5% were Hispanic or Latino and 5% chose not to report ethnicity. Subjects were taught basic nutrition principles, received breakfast and lunch 5 days per week for 3 months, meals 2 days per week during month 4, then regular phone calls to month 12.Results:Total serum carotenoid concentrations increased from baseline to 3 months and remained elevated at 12 months, but there was no difference between groups. Changes in weight, fat and % fat correlated negatively with serum carotenoid concentrations.Conclusion:Increased serum carotenoids (a biomarker for V&F intake) correlated with improved weight and fat loss indicating that increased V&F consumption is an appropriate strategy for weight loss. However, in light of the fact that the Reduction group lost more weight, the consumption of increased V&F for the purpose of weight loss should happen within the context of reducing total caloric intake.

Serum Antioxidant Concentrations and Metabolic Syndrome Are Associated among U.S. Adolescents in Recent National Surveys1–3

Specific micronutrients, including retinol, retinyl esters, carotenoids [α-carotene, β-carotene (cis+trans), β-cryptoxanthin, lutein+zeaxanthin, and total lycopene], vitamin E, and vitamin C have antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects, properties shown to reduce oxidative stress, a process that accompanies the pathogenesis of many chronic diseases. It is still largely unknown whether they are associated with the occurrence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the adolescent U.S. population. MetS was defined by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria. Other non-MetS outcomes relying on blood measurements were elevated HOMA-IR, C-reactive protein (CRP), and hyperuricemia. We tested associations between serum antioxidants and MetS outcomes among adolescents aged 12–19 y using cross-sectional data from NHANES 2001–2006 (n = 782–4285). IDF MetS prevalence was estimated at 7% among boys and 3% among girls. In adjusted models, adolescents with MetS had consistently lower carotenoid concentrations compared with their counterparts without MetS. Total carotenoids were also inversely related to HOMA-IR and CRP. Vitamin C was inversely related to uric acid level and MetS binary outcome. Retinol+retinyl esters exhibited an inverse relationship with CRP and a positive relationship with uric acid and HOMA-IR as well as MetS binary outcome. Vitamin E had no association with MetS, particularly after controlling for serum cholesterol and TG. In conclusion, among U.S. adolescents, serum carotenoid concentrations were inversely associated with MetS status, HOMA-IR, and CRP, whereas serum vitamin C was inversely related to MetS status and serum uric acid. Vitamin E had no consistent association with MetS, whereas retinol+retinyl esters had a positive relationship with HOMA-IR, uric acid, and MetS, while being inversely related to CRP. These associations need further study.

Low β-carotene concentrations increase the risk of cardiovascular disease mortality among Finnish men with risk factors

Background & aimsHealthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables is an important factor in prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Some previous epidemiological studies have suggested that dietary and serum carotenoids are associated with decreased CVD mortality, but the results have been inconsistent. We assessed relations between the concentrations of serum carotenoids and CVD mortality among Eastern Finnish men. Methods & resultsThe study population consisted of 1031 Eastern Finnish men aged 46–65 years in the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor (KIHD) cohort. Subjects were classified quartiles according to concentrations of carotenoids and subgroups according to risk factors. Hazard ratios of serum lycopene, α-carotene and β-carotene were estimated by the Cox proportional hazard model after adjusting for potential confounding factors. During the median 15.9-year follow-up, 122 deaths from CVDs, were identified among the cohort subjects. Low serum concentrations of β-carotene were strongly related to an increased CVD mortality risk after adjustment for confounders. For β-carotene, the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for the lowest versus highest quartile was 2.23 (1.26–3.93; P=0.006). However, the strongest risk of CVD mortality was observed among smokers with lowest levels of β-carotene (HR=3.15, 95%, CI: 1.19–8.33; P=0.020). Other carotenoids and the sum of carotenoids were not significantly related to increased risk of CVD mortality. ConclusionsLow concentrations of serum β-carotene concentrations may increase the risk for CVD mortality among Eastern Finnish men; thus elevated serum concentrations of β-carotene may have clinical and public health relevance.

Candidate measures of whole plant food intake are related to biomarkers of nutrition and health in the US population (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2002).

Indices of overall dietary patterns are used in epidemiologic research to examine the relationship between nutrition and health. The objective of this study was to develop and validate an interpretable summary measure of dietary intake of whole plant foods (WPF; whole grains, vegetables, whole fruit, legumes, nuts, seeds) because of their similar nutritional characteristics and health effects. Six candidate WPF measures were calculated using data from subjects (age ≥ 6 years) participating in the 1999-2000 and 2001-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Measures differed by the inclusion or exclusion of potatoes and whether they were expressed as total intake or as a proportion of energy (4180 kJ) or mass (kg) consumed. Both standard and nontruncated (allowed to vary proportionally with intake) Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005) scores were calculated. Regression analysis examined the associations between WPF and HEI-2005 measures, and between all diet measures and serum carotenoid concentration, serum lipids, fasting glucose, insulin, C-peptide, and C-reactive protein. Mean total WPF intake was 3.6 cup/oz equivalents, or 1.7 cup/oz equivalents per 4180 kJ and per kg. The largest R² between WPF and HEI-2005 measures was found for energy-adjusted WPF including potatoes and nontruncated HEI-2005 (R² = 0.50). All diet measures were positively related to serum carotenoids (P <.001) and were similarly related to health indicators (R² range from 0.003 to 0.16, P <.045 for regressions, indicating significant associations between WPF measures and health indicators). Whole plant food measures are interpretable indicators of dietary intake that are significantly related to nutrition and health biomarkers and may be of public health use.

Association between total water intake, micronutrient intakes and serum nutrient profile among U.S. adults

Given the paucity of investigations on nutrient status by water intake, we examined water intake by sociodemographic factors and its association with dietary and serum micronutrient levels among 3,189 US adults (≥20 y). We used two 24‐h dietary recalls and serum nutrient data from NHANES 2005–2006. The daily mean total water intake was 3.1 L, with 68% adults under Adequate Intake (AI) level. Total water intake was higher in adults aged 31–50 y, non‐Hispanic whites, adults with higher BMI, education and physical activity, those taking supplements, alcohol consumers, and current smokers. In multivariate regression analyses, plain water intake was positively associated with food moisture and negatively with beverage moisture (excluding plain water, P&lt;0.001). Beverage moisture was negatively associated with food moisture (P&lt;0.05). Plain water and food moisture intakes were positively associated with Ca, Fe, Mg, vitamin A, C, E, K, B6, niacin and carotenoids (P&lt;0.05), but beverage moisture was unrelated (Ca, Mg, vitamin B6, niacin, α‐carotene) or negatively (Fe, vitamin A, C, E, K, β‐carotene) associated (P&lt;0.05). Concentrations of serum B12, C, E, and carotenoids increased with plain water and food moisture intake (P&lt;0.05) and decreased (P&lt;0.01) or were unrelated with beverage moisture. Various contributors of total water intake differed in their associations with micronutrient intake in adults.Grant Funding Source : Self‐funded

Serum β-Carotene in Relation to Risk of Prostate Cancer: The Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study

Results from epidemiologic studies on the association between circulating carotenoid concentrations and the risk of prostate cancer are still inconsistent. We studied whether serum concentrations of carotenoids were associated with the risk of developing prostate cancer. The study population consisted of 997 middle-aged Finnish men (56.1 ± 6.6 yr) in the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor (KIHD) cohort. Serum concentrations of carotenoids were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Subjects were classified into tertiles according to their serum concentrations of antioxidants. Relative risks (RRs) were estimated by using the Cox proportional hazard models. During the mean follow-up time of 15 yr, a total of 68 prostate cancer cases occurred. After adjusting for age, examination yr, family history of cancer, BMI, pack-yr of smoking, alcohol consumption, education, physical activity, serum total cholesterol, and serum α-linolenic acid, men in the highest tertile of serum concentrations of β-carotene had 2.3-fold higher risk of prostate cancer as compared to those in the lowest tertile (RR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.12–4.66; P = 0.023). α-Tocopherol and retinol were not associated with prostate cancer. This prospective study suggests that high-serum β-carotene concentrations may increase the risk of prostate cancer in middle-aged men.

Diet quality and social support: factors associated with serum carotenoid concentrations among older disabled women (the Women's Health and Aging Study).

This study investigated the relationship between social support (including instrumental support, emotional support, social interaction, social space, and family networks) and diet quality, as indicated by serum carotenoid levels. The sample consisted of participants in the Women's Health and Aging Study with longitudinal carotenoid data (n=325). We performed regression analyses using baseline indicators of social support and changes in social support to determine whether baseline levels and/or change in levels of social support predict changes in serum carotenoid levels. Social support changes were measured over 1 year from baseline to follow-up round 1. Carotenoid level changes were established from follow-up round 1 to round 2. To determine whether or not regression to the mean was driving these results, we performed an analysis that included baseline and change levels of social support indicators. At baseline, the frequency of leaving one's home was associated with a decrease in carotenoid levels. Leaving one's home more frequently predicted an increase in carotenoid levels and attending fewer activities predicted a decrease in carotenoid levels. In older, community-resident disabled women, baseline levels of social support did not consistently predict diet quality. However, change in social support predicted both positive and negative change in diet quality and thus provides supportive evidence that social activity and family interaction may play meaningful roles in the maintenance of diet quality among functionally compromised older women. Further research is necessary to more fully understand the impact of multiple forms of social supports on the diet quality of older adults.

A Pilot Study of the Nutritional Status of Opiate-Using Pregnant Women on Methadone Maintenance Therapy

Pregnant women in methadone maintenance therapy may have poor nutrition during pregnancy. In 2006–2008, methadone-treated pregnant women (n = 22) were recruited at an urban academic medical center and compared with nondrug-using pregnant women (n = 119) at 20–35 weeks’ gestation. We measured adiposity using prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), dietary intake using a food frequency questionnaire, and micronutrient and essential fatty acid status using biomarkers. Methadone-treated women had lower BMI, consumed more calories, had lower serum carotenoid concentrations, and higher plasma homocysteine concentrations than controls. The study's limitations and implications for future research are discussed.

Low serum lycopene and -carotene increase risk of acute myocardial infarction in men

Previous studies have shown that high intake or concentrations of serum carotenoids may protect against acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The role of carotenoids on the risk of AMI remains inconsistent. The aim of the present study was to examine if serum concentrations of major carotenoids are related to AMI in men. The study population consisted of 1031 Finnish men aged 46-65 years in the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor (KIHD) cohort. Serum concentrations of carotenoids, retinol and α-tocopherol were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The association between the serum concentrations of lycopene α-carotene and β-carotene and the risk of AMI was studied by using the Cox proportional hazard models. A total of 194 incident AMI cases occurred during an average of 11.5 follow-up years. After adjusting for potential confounders, the risk of AMI for men in the lowest tertile of serum concentrations compared with men in the highest tertile was 1.55 (95% CI 1.05- 2.30; P = 0.028) for lycopene and 1.60 (95% CI 1.09-2.35; P = 0.017) for β-carotene. This cross-sectional study shows that low serum lycopene and β-carotene concentrations may increase the risk of AMI in men.

Serum carotenoid concentrations predict lung function evolution in young adults: the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study

A higher dietary intake of carotenoid-rich foods and higher circulating concentrations of carotenoids have been associated with better lung function in cross-sectional studies; however, the longitudinal association between carotenoids and lung function has shown conflicting results. We examined the longitudinal association between serum carotenoids (β-cryptoxanthin, α-carotene, β-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, and lycopene) and the evolution of lung function. We evaluated our hypothesis in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) prospective cohort study. Spirometry testing was conducted at year 0 (1985-1986) and at follow-up in years 2, 5, 10, and 20; serum carotenoids were assayed at years 0 and 15, and diet was assessed at years 0 and 20. Year 0 sum of provitamin A carotenoids and β-cryptoxanthin concentrations were associated with maximum forced vital capacity (FVC) (P ≤ 0.01) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) (P ≤ 0.05) (maximum across years 0-10) in linear regression models adjusted for age, race, height, study center, amount of physical activity, smoking status, and BMI. Year 0 lutein/zeaxanthin and lycopene were not associated with maximum lung function. Baseline concentrations of lutein/zeaxanthin, lycopene, sum of the 3 provitamin A carotenoids, β-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin were each inversely associated with a decline from maximum FVC and FEV(1) (P ≤ 0.04). The sum of provitamin A carotenoids and lycopene remained significant after adjustment for dietary intake related to serum carotenoids (P ≤ 0.03). The 15-y change in provitamin A carotenoid and lutein/zeaxanthin concentrations was associated with a slower decline from maximum FVC and FEV(1) (P ≤ 0.04). These findings support an association between serum carotenoid concentrations and a decline in lung function.

Serum Carotenoids and Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a Chinese Population Sample

It has been hypothesized that the macular carotenoids protect against age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In this study, the association between serum concentrations of carotenoids and the presence of AMD was evaluated in a case-control sample of elderly Chinese subjects. Two hundred sixty-three individuals aged between 50 and 88 years enrolled in the study. Subjects included 82 cases with exudative AMD, 92 cases with early AMD, and 89 control individuals. Serum carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, α- and β-carotenes, and β-cryptoxanthin) and retinol were measured with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Serum levels of carotenoids and retinol were significantly lower in the cases with exudative AMD than in the controls. Median levels of lutein and zeaxanthin were 0.538 and 0.101 μM, respectively, in the control subjects, and 0.488 and 0.076 μM, respectively, in cases with exudative AMD. After adjustment for age, sex, smoking status, and body mass index (BMI), a significant inverse association was observed for exudative AMD with serum zeaxanthin (relative risk ratio [RRR], 0.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0-0.35), lycopene (RRR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.1-0.48), and α-carotene (RRR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.12-0.51). Early AMD was inversely associated only with lycopene (RRR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.28-0.86) but was positively associated with α-carotene (RRR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.37-3.58). No significant associations were observed between serum lutein and cases with early or exudative AMD. The data suggest that higher levels of serum carotenoids, in particular zeaxanthin and lycopene, are associated with a lower likelihood of having exudative AMD. Serum levels of carotenoids were relatively higher in this Chinese cohort than in samples of other ethnicities in previous reports.

Effect of the consumption of a fruit and vegetable soup with high in vitro carotenoid bioaccessibility on serum carotenoid concentrations and markers of oxidative stress in young men

To evaluate the effect of the daily intake of a fruit & vegetable soup with high in vitro bioaccessibility of carotenoids on β-carotene and lycopene serum concentrations. Fourteen healthy young men (24±1years) received 300mL/day of a carrot, tomato, and broccoli soup, containing 3.9mg β-carotene and 4mg lycopene, for 4weeks followed by a 4-week washout period. The serum carotenoid response and oxidative markers were analyzed after 3 and 4weeks of soup consumption and after a 4-week washout. The in vitro bioaccessibility of β-carotene and lycopene was 55 and 43%, respectively, in the soup. Serum β-carotene concentrations were significantly higher than baseline (0.33±0.05μmol/L) after 3weeks (0.69±0.06μmol/L) and 4weeks (0.78±0.10μmol/L) of soup consumption (P<0.001). Serum lycopene was also significantly higher compared with baseline levels (0.26±0.08-0.56±0.04μmol/L and 0.60±0.04μmol/L, after 3 and 4weeks, respectively) (P<0.001). Although the highest concentration of both carotenoids was found after 4weeks, the levels were not statistically different from the levels at 3weeks. A 4-week washout significantly decreased serum carotenoid concentrations, although only β-carotene returned to baseline. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) increased significantly after soup supplementation compared with baseline, while superoxide dismutase was significantly lower only after 3weeks. Glutathione reductase, lipid, protein, and DNA oxidative markers remained unchanged. The soup contributed to increasing the concentration of each carotenoid by more than 100% after 3 and 4weeks of consumption, the maximum increase being observed after 4weeks. Oxidative markers did not show any variation except for GPx. Serum lycopene half-life was longer than that of β-carotene, which may be important for studies evaluating both carotenoids.

Serum Antioxidant Status Is Associated with Metabolic Syndrome among U.S. Adults in Recent National Surveys1–3

Potential antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects were recently ascribed to naturally occurring micronutrients. The extent and magnitudes of their differential effects on the metabolic syndrome (MetS) are still unknown. We examined the association between serum antioxidant status and MetS. NHANES 2001–2006 cross-sectional data among adults aged 20–85 y were analyzed (n = 3008–9099). MetS was defined with the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) and also by elevated homeostatic model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and hyperuricemia. Serum antioxidants included retinol, retinyl esters, carotenoids [α-carotene, β-carotene (cis+trans), β-cryptoxanthin, lutein+zeaxanthin, total lycopene], vitamin E, and vitamin C. MetS (NCEP ATP III) prevalence in U.S. adults was 32.0% among men and 29.5% among women. Adults with MetS had consistently lower serum carotenoid concentrations compared with those without MetS, even after controlling for total cholesterol and TG among other potential confounders. Vitamin E had no significant relationship with MetS in the full multiple logistic regression model, whereas retinol+retinyl esters were inversely related to MetS among men only. The latter were also inversely related to elevated CRP and positively associated with hyperuricemia. Vitamin C exhibited a similar pattern to serum carotenoids with an inverse linear association with MetS (binary), HOMA-IR, and hyperuricemia. Future intervention studies of dietary and lifestyle change must be conducted to assess the utility of modifying serum antioxidant concentrations, especially carotenoids, given their suboptimal levels among U.S. adults with MetS, for the prevention of type 2 diabetes and various cardiovascular endpoints.

Depletion of Serum Carotenoid and Other Fat-Soluble Vitamin Concentrations following Obesity Surgery

Obesity constitutes a growing health problem, and surgical treatment of severe obesity is increasingly used. Nutrient deficiencies are common following bariatric surgery and the evidence indicates a progressive increase in the incidence and severity of the deficiency of certain vitamins and related clinical conditions. Because of the potential role of carotenoids in disease prevention, our aim was to assess the carotenoid status in candidates for obesity surgery and the time-course changes following two bariatric procedures. Seventy-five candidates for bariatric surgery (17 men, 58 women; age 43 ± 10years) and a total of 362 serum samples after obesity surgery (i.e., Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 187) and biliopancreatic diversion (n = 175)) were consecutively collected and assessed. Retinol, α- and γ-tocopherol, 25-OH-vitamin D3, lutein, zeaxanthin, α- and β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene (trans and cis), α- and β-carotene (trans and cis) were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Mean serum levels of carotenoids in candidates for obesity surgery were within the reference values reported in controls and seasonal variations were present in several analytes. After surgery, and regardless of the type of intervention, all serum carotenoids dropped following first-order kinetics. Cis/trans ratio of lycopene and β-carotene did not change after surgery, over the time or between surgical procedures. On a long-term, serum carotenoids were at or below fifth percentile of reference groups. The chronic low levels of carotenoids in these patients compromise their availability to tissues, constituting an additional risk factor for other clinical conditions. Dietary advice on carotenoid-rich, fortified foods or supplements should be also evaluated in these patients.

Serum carotenoids as a biomarker for carotenoid concentrations in the brain

Carotenoids, specifically lutein and zeaxanthin, cross the blood brain barrier to form macular pigment in the eye. Macular pigment has been related to serum lutein and zeaxanthin. Lutein supplementation was shown to improve cognitive function in older adults possibly due to increase in brain lutein. The objective was to evaluate if serum carotenoids are related to brain carotenoids in older adults. Brain tissues (cerebellum, temporal, frontal and occipital cortices) from decedents older than 98 years who had participated in the Georgia Centenarian Study were used. Subjects (n=49) had agreed to donate their brain after death. Serum and brains were extracted and analyzed using RP-HPLC. Age-adjusted partial correlation was done using SPSS. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. Among all the carotenoids and in all sampled brain regions, lutein concentrations were the highest (P< 0.0001). Serum lutein, zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, lycopene and β-carotene were positively associated with brain lutein (0.283, P<0.0001), zeaxanthin (0.503, P< 0.0001), cryptoxanthin (0.468, P<0.0001), lycopene (0.348, P<0.0001) and β-carotene (0.515, P<0.0001), respectively in all regions of the brain combined. Serum carotenoid concentrations can be used as a biomarker to predict brain carotenoid concentrations. Support:USDA#581950-7-07; DSM, NIH 1P01-AG17553 (L. Poon, PI)