Serum Levels Of Β-carotene Research Articles

The Effect of Beta-Carotene on Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review.

β-carotene is a powerful antioxidant and dietary precursor of vitamin A whose role in maintaining mental health and cognitive performance, either alone or in combination with other dietary compounds, has been a topic of recent research. However, its effectiveness is still unclear. This systematic review, conducted according to the PRISMA guideline and assisted by the MySLR platform, addressed this issue. A total of 16 eligible original research articles were identified. Dietary intake or β-carotene serum levels were associated with improved measures of cognitive function in 7 out of 10 epidemiological studies included. In intervention studies, β-carotene consumption alone did not promote better cognitive function in the short term, but only in a long-term intervention with a mean duration of 18 years. However, all but one intervention study suggested the beneficial effects of β-carotene supplementation at doses ranging from 6 mg to 50 mg per day in combination with a multicomplex such as vitamin E, vitamin C, zinc, or selenium for a period of 16 weeks to 20 years. Despite the current limitations, the available evidence suggests a potential association between β-carotene dietary/supplementary intake and the maintenance of cognitive function. The β-carotene most probably does not act alone but in synergy with other micronutrients.

Exploring the association between serum β-Carotene and metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia

Background and Aims: There has been no previous investigation into the relationship between serum β-Carotene levels and metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia. This research aims to explore the association between schizophrenia, metabolic syndrome, and serum β-Carotene levels. Specifically, this study addresses this knowledge gap and examines whether lower serum β-Carotene levels are associated with an increased risk for metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia. Methods and Results: The present study involved 38 patients with schizophrenia (n = 38). We collected demographic data, anthropometric measurements, blood samples for lipid panels, sugar levels, and serum β-Carotene levels, as well as participant responses to food frequency questionnaires. Results revealed the median serum β-Carotene was 0.87 (range: 0.69–1.14 μmol/L). The median metabolic syndrome Z-score using waist circumference was 0.13 (range: −1.10–2.39). Pairwise Spearman's correlation between metabolic syndrome Z-score versus β-Carotene showed a rho = −0.56, P< 0.001 for the overall sample. Linear regression between metabolic syndrome Z-score as a dependent variable and serum β-Carotene as an independent variable showed a regression coefficient of −3.11, P< 0.001. Conclusion: The findings of this study offer suggestive evidence of a statistically significant positive correlation between reduced serum β-Carotene levels in individuals with schizophrenia and a heightened global risk of developing metabolic syndrome. This preliminary study has implications for the management of schizophrenia patients, suggesting that patients' serum levels of β-Carotene be periodically checked and referrals made to dieticians as necessary.

Potential of dried bread enriched with red palm oil to improve lipid profile, and control oxidative stress: An experimental study in adult men with dyslipidaemia

Dyslipidaemia is an abnormality of lipid metabolism, characterised by the increased levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides, and decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), which cause antioxidant enzymes to decrease, and trigger oxidative stress, characterised by an increase in lipid peroxidation. The present work examined the effect of consumption of dried breads enriched with red palm oil (RPO) to improve serum lipid profiles, and control oxidative stress in adult men with dyslipidaemia. This randomised double-blind controlled trial involved adult men with an abnormal lipid profile, and had a body mass index between 18.5 and 26.9 kg/m2. Each subject consumed two pieces of dried bread per packet as a snack for eight weeks. Subjects were randomly assigned into two groups: those who consumed dried breads with RPO (experiment), and those who consumed dried breads without RPO (control). Serum levels of lipid profile parameters (total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, HDL-C) and control oxidative stress markers [superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme, malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidised LDL (oxLDL), and β-carotene serum] were measured before and after the intervention. In subjects who consumed dried breads with RPO, there was a significant decrease in total cholesterol and LDL-C levels (p = 0.020 and 0.041, respectively); whereas serum triglyceride and HDL-C levels were not significantly affected (p = 0.083 and 0.233, respectively). Further, the consumption of dried breads with RPO significantly (p = 0.018) increased SOD activity which led to a significant decrease in MDA and oxLDL levels (p = 0.036 and 0.047, respectively), but non-significant on the increase in β-carotene serum levels (p = 0.166). Therefore, daily consumption of 60 g dried breads with RPO has the potential to be a functional food that can be used as a snack that efficiently lowers total and LDL cholesterol levels in adult men with dyslipidaemia, but without deleterious effects on biomarkers of oxidative stress.

The Galohgor Nutraceutical Cookies Effects on β-Carotene Serum and Oxidative Stress of Postpartum Mothers.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the galohgor nutraceutical cookies effects on β-carotene serum levels and oxidative stress of postpartum mothers. To this end, a post-controlled experiment was carried out. Nineteen subjects were recruited to receive 40 g of galohgor cookies (GC) or control cookies (CC) daily for 14 days. Analysis of covariance was applied to assess the effect of the intervention. The results showed that β-carotene serum concentrations were significantly higher in the GC group compared with the CC group (0.141±0.094 μmol/L vs. 0.106±0.051 μmol/L, P<0.05). Meanwhile, malondialdehyde levels of GC group was significantly lower than that of the CC group (0.82±0.25 nmol/L vs. 0.93±0.27 nmol/L, P<0.05). These results suggest that galohgor nutraceutical may have beneficial effects on improving β-carotene serum levels and oxidative stress of postpartum mothers.

Symptomatic atherosclerosis is associated with an altered gut metagenome

Recent findings have implicated the gut microbiota as a contributor of metabolic diseases through the modulation of host metabolism and inflammation. Atherosclerosis is associated with lipid accumulation and inflammation in the arterial wall, and bacteria have been suggested as a causative agent of this disease. Here we use shotgun sequencing of the gut metagenome to demonstrate that the genus Collinsella was enriched in patients with symptomatic atherosclerosis, defined as stenotic atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid artery leading to cerebrovascular events, whereas Roseburia and Eubacterium were enriched in healthy controls. Further characterization of the functional capacity of the metagenomes revealed that patient gut metagenomes were enriched in genes encoding peptidoglycan synthesis and depleted in phytoene dehydrogenase; patients also had reduced serum levels of β-carotene. Our findings suggest that the gut metagenome is associated with the inflammatory status of the host and patients with symptomatic atherosclerosis harbor characteristic changes in the gut metagenome.

Validation of a food frequency questionnaire to assess the consumption of carotenoids, fruits and vegetables among adolescents: the method of triads

The aim of this study was to validate the intake of carotenoids, fruits and vegetables estimated by the Food Frequency Questionnaire for Adolescents (FFQA) using the method of triads. Blood samples were collected from 80 elementary school adolescents to assess serum levels of β-carotene. Partial correlation coefficients (r) were calculated between an estimated intake of carotenoids, fruits and vegetables and the serum levels of β-carotene. Validity coefficients were calculated using the method of triads. With the exception of carotenoids, partial r from the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) were greater than those of the 24-hour recall (24hR). The fruit/vegetable group showed the highest partial r for the FFQ (r = 0.235) and the 24hR (r = 0.137). The highest validity coefficient was obtained for the vegetable group, as assessed by the FFQ (r = 0.873). On average, the validity coefficient values for the FFQ were greater than those obtained for the 24hR or the β-carotene serum levels. The FFQA is an accurate tool for estimating the intake of carotenoids, fruits and vegetables in this population group.

Alcohol and Tobacco Use in Relation to Gastric Cancer: A Prospective Study of Men in Shanghai, China

Epidemiologic findings of tobacco and alcohol use in relation to gastric cancer are inconsistent. Well-designed prospective studies examining their relationship are sparse. The association between cigarette smoking/alcohol intake and gastric cancer risk was examined in a population-based prospective cohort of 18,244 middle-aged and older men in Shanghai, China, who were enrolled in the study during 1986-1989. After up to 20 years of follow-up, 391 incident gastric cancer cases were identified. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Ever smokers experienced a statistically significant increased risk of gastric cancer (HR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.27-1.99) compared with nonsmokers after adjustment for alcohol intake and other confounders. Among nondrinkers, smokers experienced 80% increased risk of gastric cancer (HR, 1.81; 95% CI,1.36, 2.41). Conversely, heavy drinkers experienced a statistically significant increase in risk of gastric cancer (HR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.05-2.04) among all subjects and a statistically nonsignificant 80% increased risk among never smokers. Further adjustment for Helicobacter pylori serology, serum levels of beta-carotene and vitamin C, and urinary level of total isothiocyanates in combination with glutathione S-transferase (GST) M1 and GSTT1 genotypes did not materially change the associations between smoking/alcohol consumption and gastric cancer risk. These results suggest that cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption may exert independent effects on the development of gastric cancer in this high-risk population. Modification of these lifestyle choices may reduce the incidence of gastric cancer.

Serum Retinol and β-carotene Levels and Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease in Morbid Obesity

to evaluate retinol and β-carotene serum levels and their relationship with risk factors for cardiovascular disease in individuals with morbid obesity, resident in Rio de Janeiro. blood serum concentrations of retinol and β-carotene of 189 morbidly obese individuals were assessed. The metabolic syndrome was identified according to the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) and World Health Organization (WHO). Lipid profile, insulin resistance, basal insulin, glycemia, blood pressure, and anthropometry and their correlation with retinol and β-carotene serum levels were evaluated. metabolic syndrome diagnosis was observed in 49.0% of the sample. Within this percentage the levels of β-carotene were significantly lower when body mass index increased. Serum retinol didn't show this behavior. Serum retinol inadequacy in patients with metabolic syndrome (61.3%), according to WHO criterion, was higher (15.8%) than when the whole sample was considered (12.7%). When metabolic syndrome was diagnosed by NCEP criterion, β-carotene inadequacy was higher (42.8%) when compared to the total sample (37.5%). There was a significant difference between average β-carotene values of patients with and without metabolic syndrome (p=0.048) according to the classification of the NCEP. Lower values were found in patients with metabolic syndrome. considering the vitamin A contribution in antioxidant protection, especially when risk factors for cardiovascular disease are present, it is suggested that great attention be given to morbidly obese. This could aid in prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease, which affects a significant part of the population.

Carotenoid Supplementation Reduces Erythema in Human Skin After Simulated Solar Radiation Exposure

Abstract. Excessive exposure to solar radiation, especially ultraviolet A (UVA: 320–400 nm) and ultraviolet B (UVB: 290–320 nm) radiation, may induce UV-carcinogenesis and erythema in the skin. Although the protective effects of carotenoids against skin lesions are still unclear, β-carotene has been proposed as an oral sun protectant. The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude of the protective effects of oral α- and β-carotene supplementation for 24 weeks on UVA- and UVB-induced erythema in humans. While being exposed to UVA and UVB radiation, 22 subjects (11 men and 11 women) were supplemented with natural carotenoids for 24 weeks. Each day for the first 8 weeks, subjects were given 30 mg of natural carotenoids containing 29.4 mg of β-carotene, 0.36 mg of α-carotene, and traces of other carotenoids in vegetable oil. The natural carotenoid dose was progressively raised by 30-mg increments, at every 8 weeks, from 30 mg to 90 mg. Small areas (1 cm2) of the skin were exposed to increasing doses of UV light (16–42 mJ/cm2) to determine the minimal erythema dose (MED). MED was defined as a uniform pink color with well-defined borders. MED readings were obtained by visual inspection 24 hr postirradiation. Blood samples taken during supplementation were used to determine α- and β-carotene serum levels and for a lipid peroxidation analysis. During natural carotenoid supplementation, the MED of solar simulator radiation increased significantly (P < 0.05). After 24 weeks of supplementation, serum β-carotene levels were increased from 0.22 μg/ml (95% CI; 0.16–0.27) to 1.72 μg/ml (95% CI;1.61–1.83). Similarly, α-carotene serum levels increased from 0.07 μg/ml (95% CI;0.048–0.092) to 0.36 μg/ml (95% CI; 0.32–0.40). Serum lipid peroxidation was significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited in a dose-dependent manner during natural carotenoid supplementation. The present data suggest that supplementation with natural carotenoids may partially protect human skin from UVA- and UVB-induced erythema, although the magnitude of the protective effect is modest.

An eight week supplementation trial of lutein esters comparing effects of dosage

An 8 week placebo controlled supplementation trial was carried out comparing the serum responses of subjects to two doses of lutein esters. The source of the lutein esters was marigold flowers and the xanthophyll composition was 93% lutein esters (L) and 7% zeaxanthin esters (Z). 30 subjects, aged 25 ± 9.7 years, were randomly divided into three equal groups. Two groups were given lutein esters equivalent to 3 or 6 mg of free xanthophyll/day and the third group was given a placebo. Subjects were blind to their treatment. Serum levels of carotenoids were measured by HPLC prior to supplementation and at two week intervals. Serum levels of L increased significantly (p < 0.05) in proportion to dose from a baseline of 0.090 ± 0.038 μg/ml to 0.186 ± 0.0951 (3 mg/day) and 0.392 ± 0.192 μg/mL (6 mg/day). Levels of Z also increased significantly (p < 0.05) from a baseline of 0.034 ± 0.017 mg/ml to 0.048 ± 0.016 and 0.074 ± 0.017 μg/ml for the two doses. Serum levels of β-carotene were notably low in this population and did not differ significantly pre- and post-supplementation, 0.067 ± 0.069 to 0.066 ± 0.050 μg/mL. Funding: Biolut

Predictors of Intestinal Villous Atrophy in Patients with Chronic Diarrhea

Purpose: Traditionally, the diagnosis of intestinal villous atrophy (IA) relies on the histological study of an intestinal biopsy taken by upper GI endoscopy.The aim of this study was to evaluate potential non-histological markers of IA. Methods: Adult patients with chronic diarrhea, three or more criteria of an organic disorder, who underwent an upper GI endoscopy with duodenal biopsies and culture, were recruited during a two-year period. According to histological findings, patients were classified as IA (cases) or non-IA (controls). Clinical records of patients and controls were examined for presenting symptoms and laboratory tests, in order to establish the final diagnosis. Frequencies and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed. The Fisher's exact and Mann-Withney U tests were used for analysis. Results: Fifty patients with IA and 42 controls were included. The mean age was 53.1 ± 16.2 yr and 52.3 ± 15.6 yr, respectively. Most symptoms and laboratory data were similar in both groups. However, clinical steatorrhoea and serum β-carotene levels below 60 mg/dL were more frequent in IA (31 vs 15, p < 0.01 and 23 vs 8, p < 0.001, respectively). A tendency to positive culture in duodenal fluid aspirate was found in controls (20 vs 14, p < 0.08). OR's for these differentially distributed variables were: for clinical steatorrhoea 2.94 (95% CI = 1.16–7.53), for β-carotene levels below 60 mg/dL 3.62 (95% CI = 1.29–10.77) and, for positive culture in duodenal fluid aspirate 0.43 (95% CI = 0.16–1.11). The number of intraepithelial lymphocytes per 100 epithelial cells was higher in cases as compared with controls (51 ± 14.3 vs 23 ± 12.2, p < 0.001). Tropical sprue (12 vs 0) and celiac disease (8 vs 1) were more frequent in the IA group. In controls, small-bowel bacterial overgrowth (20 vs 14) was more frequent. (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Clinical steatorrhoea and low serum levels of β-carotene appear to be associated with IA. These data could be useful for the differential diagnosis in patients with malabsorption syndromes. However, further studies are required to confirm these findings.

Lung cancer mortality and serum levels of carotenoids, retinol, tocopherols, and folic acid in men and women: a case-control study nested in the JACC Study.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer mortality is inversely associated with high serum carotenoid levels and high intake of vegetables and fruits rich in carotenoids. The Japan Collaborative Cohort (JACC) Study was conducted to investigate whether serum levels of carotenoids, retinol, tocopherols, and folic acid were associated with risk for lung cancer death with follow-up through 1997. To examine the association by sex, we extended the follow-up and analyzed additional serum samples.METHODS: In the JACC Study, 39,242 subjects provided serum samples at baseline between 1988 and 1990. We identified 211 cases (163 men and 48 women) of death from lung cancer during about 10-year follow-up ending in 1999. Of the subjects who survived to the end of that follow-up, 487 controls (375 men and 112 women) were selected, and were matched to each case of lung cancer death for sex, age and participating institution. We measured serum levels of antioxidants in cases of lung cancer death and controls. Odds ratio (OR) for lung cancer death was estimated using conditional logistic models by sex.RESULTS: For men, the risk of lung cancer death was significantly lower for the highest quartile of serum α- and β-carotenes, lycopene, and β-cryptoxanthin than for the lowest quartile: the OR adjusted for smoking and other covariates were 0.41, 0.28, 0.46, and 0.39, respectively. For women, serum levels of α-carotene and zeaxanthin/lutein were inversely associated with risk of lung cancer, but the association was not significant. No association between lung cancer and serum levels of β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and retinol was appeared among women. There was a suggestion that association between lung cancer and high serum levels of these components might differ between men and women.CONCLUSIONS: Higher serum levels of carotenoids appear to play a role in preventing death from lung cancer among Japanese men. Relationships between lung cancer and serum levels of some carotenoids appear to differ between sexes. However, further study with a large number of women cases needs to clarify the discrepancy between sexes.

Serum Carotenoid and Retinol Levels during Childhood Infections

Background: In recent years, new physiological functions of vitamin A have been identified, including its role in immune defense. The antioxidant potential of carotenoids is thought to account for their health benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate the concentration changes in the provitamin-A (α- and-β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin) and of the non-provitamin-A carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene) in children with acute infections. Methods: Serum retinol and carotenoid concentrations were measured by HPLC in 45 children suffering from acute infections and in 29 healthy controls. In addition 15 healthy children collected food samples over 2 days. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured by turbidimetry. Results: Serum levels of β-carotene, α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin and retinol and non-provitamin-A carotenoid lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations were significantly lower in children with infections compared to healthy controls. There were significant negative correlations between CRP levels and serum β-carotene and retinol concentrations. The average intake of retinol equivalents was 1.1 ± 0.6 mg/day. Conclusion: Serum retinol and provitamin-A as well as non-provitamin-A carotenoid concentrations were lower in children with acute phase infections compared to healthy controls. The inverse correlations between CRP and β-carotene or retinol indicate either decreased synthesis or increased utilization of these antioxidants.

Carotenoderma--a review of the current literature.

Carotenoderma--a review of the current literature.

The relationship between smoking habits and serum levels of 8-OHdG, oxidized LDL antibodies, Mn-SOD and carotenoids in rural Japanese residents.

This study investigated the relationship between smoking habits and serum levels of 8-OHdG, oxidized LDL antibodies (oLAB), Mn-SOD, and carotenoids. Subjects were 79 males (mean age ± standard deviation; 62.1 ± 10.0 years) and 79 females (60.3 ± 10.3 y) who attended a health examination screening in the town of Hokkaido, Japan. Serum 8-OHdG, Mn-SOD, and oLAB levels were measured by ELISA and serum carotenoids levels were measured by HPLC. Smoking habits were assessed by public health nurses using a questionnaire. Serum 8-OHdG levels were significantly higher in males than in females. On the other hand, serum levels of β-carotene, α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin and lutein were significantly lower in males than in females. Serum β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin and lutein were significantly lower in males who were current smokers, compared to non-smokers. Serum 8-OHdG levels were also significantly higher in current smokers. Furthermore, in males, serum oLAB and β-carotene levels were significantly and negatively correlated with the number of cigarettes smoked per day. Serum Mn-SOD levels were unrelated to smoking habits in males. In conclusion, this preliminary study suggests that cigarette smoking increases serum 8-OHdG levels and reduces serum levels of oLAB and carotenoids, such as β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin and lutein in healthy male subjects. Serum levels of 8-OHdG, oLAB, and carotenoids may be useful biomarkers of oxidative conditions affected by smoking.

Lower serum levels of β-carotene in Lithuanian men are accompanied by higher urinary excretion of the oxidative DNA adduct, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine: The LiVicordia study

Objective In 1995, middle-aged Lithuanian men had a four-fold higher risk than Swedish men of dying from coronary heart disease. The cross-sectional LiVicordia study had reported significantly lower levels of the lipid-soluble antioxidants lycopene, β-carotene, and γ-tocopherol among Lithuanian men than among Swedish men. We examined whether there were differences in urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8OHdG), a marker of oxidative stress, between these groups of men. Methods Using automated coupled column high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection, we examined 50-y-old men randomly sampled from Linköping, Sweden ( n = 99) and Vilnius, Lithuania ( n = 109) with regard to urinary concentrations of 8-OHdG. Results Levels of 8-OHdG were higher in the Lithuanian men than in the Swedish men (20.9 ± 0.91 versus 14.9 ± 0.75 nM/L, P < 0.001), and this difference was evident in smokers ( P < 0.01) and non-smokers ( P < 0.001). Serum levels of α- and β-carotene were inversely correlated to urinary 8-OHdG levels ( P < 0.05 in both cases). Habitual smoking and low levels of β-carotene contributed significantly to higher oxidative DNA damage expressed as urinary 8-OHdG. Conclusions These findings indicate that increased urinary 8-OHdG levels accompany lower serum levels of antioxidants in Lithuanian men. They supported previous suggestions that increased oxidative stress may be one factor behind the higher mortality in Lithuanian men.

Placental and serum levels of carotenoids in preeclampsia

Objective: We compared placental tissue, maternal serum, and umbilical cord venous blood levels of four dietary carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene, and canthaxanthin) in normal pregnant women and those with preeclampsia. Methods: Levels of α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene, and canthaxanthin were measured in placental tissue, maternal serum, and umbilical cord venous blood from 22 normal pregnant women and 19 women with preeclampsia. The criteria for recruitment included gestational age of 30–42 weeks, singleton pregnancy, intact membranes, absence of labor contractions, and absence of any other medical complication concurrent with preeclampsia. Carotenoids were measured using high-pressure liquid chromatography. Results: All four carotenoids were detectable in human placental tissue, maternal serum, and umbilical cord venous blood samples. The levels of β-carotene, lycopene, and canthaxanthin in placentas from preeclamptic women were significantly lower ( P = .032, .009, and .013, respectively, by Mann-Whitney test) than those from normal pregnant women. Maternal serum levels of β-carotene and lycopene were significantly lower ( P = .004 and .008, respectively, by Mann-Whitney test) in women with preeclampsia. However, umbilical cord venous blood levels of these carotenoids were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: Lower placental tissue and maternal serum carotenoid levels in women with preeclampsia suggest that oxidative stress or a dietary antioxidant influence might have an effect on the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia and antioxidants: decreased placental tissue and maternal serum levels of carotenoids

Objective: To compare the levels of four major dietary carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene and canthaxanthin) in maternal and umbilical cord blood and in placental tissue in normal pregnancy and in patients with preeclampsia. Methods: Using high-performance liquid chromatography, levels of α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene, and canthaxanthin were assayed in maternal and umbilical cord blood and in placental tissues obtained from normal pregnant women (n = 22) and women with preeclampsia (n = 19). Results: All four carotenoids were detectable in human placental tissue, and their levels in placentas of preeclamptic women were significantly ( P <0.05) lower compared with normal pregnancy. Umbilical cord serum levels of these carotenoids were comparable between both groups, while maternal serum levels of β-carotene and lycopene were found to be significantly ( P <0.05) lower in patients with preeclampsia. Conclusion: The findings of a reduction in various placental carotenoid levels in women with preeclampsia suggest that oxidative stress and placental antioxidant protection may play a role in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.

Serum antioxidant micronutrients and the risk of oral leukoplakia among Japanese.

A population-based case-control study was designed for the investigation of any association between serum micronutrient levels and oral leukoplakia. Out of a total of 9536 subjects over the age of 40 years who participated in the oral mucosal screening programme in Tokoname city, 48 cases detected with oral leukoplakia (38 male:10 female) were recruited. For each case, four controls matched by age and sex were selected from the same cohort. We examined the fasting serum levels of retinol, alpha-tocopherol, zeaxanthin and lutein, cryptoxanthin, lycopene and carotenoids (alpha-carotene and beta-carotene) by high-performance liquid chromatography. Among males with leukoplakia mean serum lycopene and beta-carotene levels (0.175+/-0.202, 0.357+/-0.295 micromol/l) were significantly lower than those of controls (0.257+/-0.252, 0.555+/-0.408 micromol/l) (P<0.05, P<0.005). Logistic regression analysis with leukoplakia as the dependent variable showed that high serum levels of beta-carotene were related to low risk of oral leukoplakia (odds ratio 0.160, 95% C.I.: 0.029-0.866, P<0.05). There were no significant differences in any of the serum nutrients estimated in female subjects. Our results suggest for the first time that high serum levels of beta-carotene may provide protection against oral precancer for the Japanese male.

Comparison of serum concentrations of α-tocopherol and β-carotene in a cross-sectional sample of obese and nonobese children (NHANES III)

Introduction: Low intake of the fat-soluble antioxidants α-tocopherol and β-carotene has been linked to greater risks of cardiovascular disease in epidemiologic studies. Obesity in adults is associated with lower levels of α-tocopherol and β-carotene, which may contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease associated with obesity. Aim: To examine serum concentrations of fat-soluble antioxidants in a large, nationally representative sample of obese and nonobese children. Methods: Serum levels of α-tocopherol and β-carotene were measured in 6139 children between the ages of 6 and 19 years enrolled in the National Health and Examination Survey, cycle III. Serum α-tocopherol levels were adjusted for fasting cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Nutritional intake was assessed by 24-hour dietary recall and food frequency questionnaires. Results: Serum levels of β-carotene were significantly lower in obese children compared with those found in normal weight children (0.22 ± 0.14 μmol/L vs 0.29 ± 0.17 μmol/L, P < .001). After adjustment was done for serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels, α-tocopherol levels were also significantly lower in obese children (2.68 ± 0.59 vs 3.17 ± 0.60, P < .001). Approximately one half of obese children had serum levels of β-carotene and adjusted α-tocopherol in the lowest quartile compared with approximately one quarter of normal weight children ( P < .001). No significant differences were seen in reported intake of β-carotene, α-tocopherol, fruit, or vegetables between obese and nonobese children. Conclusion: Reduced serum levels of fat-soluble antioxidants are present in obese children. (J Pediatr 1999;134:160-5)