beta-carotene and retinyl-stearate

It is well-known that exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) may cause adverse health impacts. However, there are few investigations assessing the association between PAH exposure and the nutritional status of the general population. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to assess the correlation between PAH metabolites and nutritional biomarkers in the U.S. general population. From the 2003-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 4,545 eligible participants were included in this cross-sectional study. To assess PAH exposure, ten urinary PAH metabolites were measured. Eleven serum nutritional biomarkers including carotenoids and vitamins were measured. The association between PAH metabolites and serum nutritional biomarkers was investigated using multivariate linear regression models. Increased 2-hydroxyfluorene was inversely correlated with elven serum nutritional biomarkers: α-carotene (β = -0.529, p < 0.001), β-cryptoxanthin (β = -0.968, p < 0.001), cis-β carotene (β = -0.149, p < 0.001), lutein and zeaxanthin (β = -1.188, p < 0.001), retinyl palmitate (β = -0.145, p < 0.001), retinyl stearate (β = -0.025, p = 0.006), total lycopene (β = -1.074, p < 0.001), trans-β carotene (β = -2.268, p < 0.001), trans-lycopene (β = -0.466, p < 0.003), retinol (β = -0.694, p = 0.004) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (β = -1.247, p = 0.007). Increased 3-hydroxyfluorene was inversely correlated with eleven serum nutritional biomarkers: α-carotene (β = -0.740, p < 0.001), β-cryptoxanthin (β = -1.377, p < 0.001), cis-β carotene (β = -0.205, p < 0.001), lutein and zeaxanthin (β = -1.521, p < 0.001), retinyl palmitate (β = -0.209, p < 0.001), retinyl stearate (β = -0.034, p = 0.014), total lycopene (β = -1.20, p = 0.007), trans-β carotene (β = -3.185, p < 0.001), trans-lycopene (β = -0.490, p = 0.039), retinol (β = -1.366, p < 0.001) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (β = -2.483, p < 0.001). Increased 1-hydroxypyrene was inversely correlated with eight serum nutritional biomarkers: α-carotene (β = -0.601, p = 0.001), β-cryptoxanthin (β = -1.071, p = 0.001), cis-β carotene (β = -0.170, p = 0.001), lutein and zeaxanthin (β = -1.074, p < 0.001), retinyl palmitate (β = -0.214, p = 0.005), retinyl stearate (β = -0.041, p = 0.043), total lycopene (β = -1.664, p = 0.011) and retinol (β = -1.381, p = 0.011). These results demonstrate that PAH exposure is significantly correlated with decreased levels of serum nutritional biomarkers.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; beta Carotene; Biomarkers; Carotenoids; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diterpenes; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Lutein; Lycopene; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Surveys; Nutritional Status; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; Retinyl Esters; Vitamin A; Zeaxanthins

Topics: Absorption; Animals; beta Carotene; Biological Availability; Cats; Chylomicrons; Diterpenes; Female; Male; Osmolar Concentration; Retinyl Esters; Time Factors; Vitamin A

The effects of lutein and lycopene on beta-carotene absorption and cleavage were investigated in 12 male subjects. Responses of carotenoids and retinyl palmitate in the triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein (TRL) fraction after a separate 15-mg beta-carotene dose were compared with those after a dose of 15 mg beta-carotene combined with 15 mg lycopene or lutein (given as natural concentrates or extracts). After combined dosing with lutein, the areas under the curve (AUCs) of beta-carotene and retinyl palmitate in the TRL fraction, adjusted for the triacylglycerol response, were 66% (P = 0.019) and 74% (P < 0.059), respectively, compared with 100% after dosing with beta-carotene alone. After combined dosing with lycopene these percentages were 90% and 101%, respectively (NS). Beta-carotene conversion, estimated from the ratio between the AUC for retinyl esters and beta-carotene, assuming eccentric cleavage, was 69%, 71%, and 72% for treatment with only beta-carotene, beta-carotene combined with lycopene, and beta-carotene combined with lutein, respectively. In addition, a pilot study was performed to evaluate application of TRL response curves to measure absorption of carotenoids from vegetable sources (15 mg carotenoid as carrots, spinach, and tomato paste). As compared with the carotenoid concentrates, responses were considerably lower or hardly measurable (beta-carotene and retinyl palmitate after carrots, lutein after spinach), except for lycopene and retinyl palmitate after a single dose of tomato paste. In conclusion, this study showed that lutein, but not lycopene, negatively affected beta-carotene absorption when given simultaneously with beta-carotene but apparently had no effect on beta-carotene cleavage.

Topics: Absorption; Adult; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Diterpenes; Humans; Kinetics; Lipoproteins; Lutein; Lycopene; Male; Retinyl Esters; Triglycerides; Vegetables; Vitamin A

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Cholesterol; Diterpenes; Ferrets; Lipoproteins; Lycopene; Male; Retinyl Esters; Stereoisomerism; Vitamin A

The concentrations of beta-carotene, retinol and retinyl esters in serum and selected tissues of ferrets fed diets supplemented with beta-carotene (80 micrograms/g wet diet) for 3 wk were determined. The initial concentration of serum beta-carotene was 0.011 +/- 0.006 mumol/L (mean +/- SEM); at the end of the experimental period it was 5.75 +/- 1.60 mumol/L. No significant differences in serum retinol and total retinyl esters were observed between beta-carotene-fed and control ferrets that had been fed an unsupplemented diet. The predominant retinyl esters in serum were retinyl stearate (53%) and retinyl palmitate (35%). Of the tissues analyzed after beta-carotene feeding, the liver contained the highest concentration of beta-carotene (78.8 +/- 18.8 nmol/g). Other tissues that contained beta-carotene in amounts ranging from 17 to 20 nmol/g were adrenals, small intestine, stomach and colon; lesser amounts (6.9 nmol/g) were found in kidneys. Amounts ranging from 1.2 to 2.3 nmol/g were found in muscle, bladder, adipose tissue, lungs and skin; only 0.37 and 0.34 nmol/g were present in brain and eyes, respectively. Thus, like humans, ferrets have the capacity to absorb intact beta-carotene and to store this compound in tissues, especially the liver. However, compared with humans, ferrets have elevated concentrations of retinyl esters in serum, liver and other tissues.

Topics: Absorption; Adrenal Glands; Animals; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Diet; Diterpenes; Ferrets; Gastric Mucosa; Intestinal Mucosa; Liver; Male; Organ Specificity; Retinyl Esters; Vitamin A