beta-carotene and Body-Weight

Excess body weight, including overweight and obesity, is one of the major factors influencing human health, and plays an important role in the global burden of disease. Carotenoids serve as precursors of vitamin A-related retinoids, and are considered to have potential effects on many diseases. However, the influence of carotenoids on people with excess body weight is unclear.. This meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of carotenoids on overweight or obese subjects utilizing the available evidence. We searched PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and EMBASE databases up to September 2020. Random effects models were used to calculate the standard mean differences (SMDs) and odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs).. A total of seven randomized controlled trials and eight observational studies met the inclusion criteria and contained 28 944 subjects and data on multiple carotenoid subgroups, including lycopene, astaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, α-carotene, and β-carotene. In all included Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT), the intervention duration was 20 days at the shortest and 16 weeks at the longest, and the range of intervention doses was 1.2-60 mg d-1. Our study found that the insufficiency of serum carotenoids was a risk factor for overweight and obesity (OR = 1.73, 95% CI [1.57, 1.91], p < 0.001). Moreover, carotenoid supplementation was significantly associated with body weight reductions (SMD = -2.34 kg, 95% CI [-3.80, -0.87] kg, p < 0.001), body mass index decrease (BMI, SMD = -0.95 kg cm-2, 95% CI [-1.88, -0.01] kg cm-2, p < 0.001) and waist circumference losses (WC, SMD = -1.84 cm, 95% CI [-3.14, -0.54]cm, p < 0.001).. In summary, the carotenoids show promising effects in overweight or obese subjects. Additional data from large clinical trials are needed.

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Cryptoxanthins; Databases, Factual; Dietary Supplements; Humans; Obesity; Overweight; Waist Circumference; Weight Loss

Although research suggests that antioxidant supplementation can protect against exercise-induced muscle damage and oxidative stress, also delayed post-exercise muscle recovery and hindered adaptation to training were reported in the supplemented athletes.. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of green tea extract (GTE) supplementation on selected blood markers of oxidative stress and muscle damage in sprinters during preparatory phase of their training cycle.. Sixteen sprinters participated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo (PL)-controlled crossover study, including two 4-week treatment periods with PL and GTE (980 mg polyphenols daily). The sprinters performed two repeated cycle sprint tests (RST; 4 × 15 s, with 1-min rest intervals), after PL and GTE supplementation. Blood was sampled before (at rest), 5 min after RST, and after the 24-h recovery. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase were measured in erythrocytes, and total polyphenols, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), uric acid (UA), albumin (AL), malondialdehyde (MDA), and creatine kinase (CK) were determined in blood plasma.. Repeated cycle sprint test performed after PL induced an increase in MDA, TAC, and SOD. Moreover, an increase in UA, AL, and CK was observed after RST irrespective of experimental conditions (PL, GTE). Supplementation with GTE caused an increase in total polyphenols and TAC at rest, and a decrease in MDA and SOD after RST. No significant changes in sprint performance were noted after GTE, as compared to PL.. Supplementation with GTE prevents oxidative stress induced by RST in sprinters. Furthermore, GTE supplementation does not seem to hinder training adaptation in antioxidant enzyme system. On the other hand, neither prevention of exercise-induced muscle damage, nor an improvement in sprint performance is noted after GTE administration.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Biomarkers; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Creatine Kinase; Cross-Over Studies; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Energy Intake; Glutathione Peroxidase; Humans; Lactic Acid; Male; Malondialdehyde; Oxidative Stress; Plant Extracts; Polyphenols; Rest; Running; Selenium; Serum Albumin; Superoxide Dismutase; Tea; Uric Acid; Vitamin E; Young Adult

Unlike milk-based infant formulas, soy-based infant formulas containing supplemental fructooligosaccharides (FOS) have not been clinically evaluated. A randomized, double-blind, 28 day parallel feeding trial compared gastrointestinal (GI) tolerance and hydration in healthy term newborn infants fed either a commercialized soy formula (with history of safe use) containing sucrose as 20% of total carbohydrate, no supplemental short-chain FOS (scFOS) and no mixed carotenoids (lutein, lycopene, beta-carotene) as a control (CF, n = 62 infants) or one of two experimental soy-based formulas, EF1 (n = 64) and EF2 (n = 62) containing scFOS (2.5 g/L) and mixed carotenoids. EF1 differed from EF2 by containing sucrose. Results indicated no significant study group differences (p > 0.05) in study completion rates (CF = 81, EF1 = 86, & EF2 = 87%), growth, mean rank stool consistency, stool frequency, formula intake, spit-up/vomit, and safety measures (urine specific gravity, USG; hydration status and adverse events). Mean USGs for study groups were normal (<1.03). The EF1 > CF group in percent yellow stools (p < 0.01 at age 14 days). In conclusion, the study suggested that term infants fed soy-based formulas supplemented with scFOS and mixed carotenoids, with or without sucrose in the 1st 35 days of infancy demonstrated good tolerance and hydration comparable to the control soy-based formula with history of safe use.

Topics: beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Feces; Female; Gastrointestinal Tract; Humans; Infant; Infant Formula; Infant, Newborn; Lutein; Lycopene; Male; Oligosaccharides; Soybean Proteins

Obesity is a chronic disease associated with oxidative stress. Bariatric surgery for the treatment of obesity may affect biomarkers of oxidative stress.. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on blood markers of oxidative stress, such as vitamins C and E, β-carotene, reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS).. A prospective controlled clinical trial was carried out. The participants were distributed into two groups: a control group (n=35), which was evaluated once, and a bariatric group (n=35), which was evaluated at baseline as well as 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery.. After surgery, the BMI decreased from 47.05±1.46 to 30.53±1.14 kg/m (P<0.001), but 25.7% of the participants regained weight after 24 months. In relation to the baseline, postsurgery reductions were found in vitamin C (31.9±4.6%, P<0.001), β-carotene (360.7±368.3%, P<0.001), vitamin E (22.8±4.1%, P<0.001), GSH (6.6±5.2%, P=0.090), CAT (12.7±5.6%, P=0.029), and FRAP (1.2±3.8%, P=0.085) 2 years after RYGB. TBARS levels decreased after 12 months (71.6±2.9%, P<0.001) in relation to the baseline but increased by 195.0±28.2% between the 12th and the 24th month (P<0.001).. The present findings show that oxidative stress returned 2 years after RYGB. Concentrations of vitamin C, β-carotene, GSH, CAT, and FRAP were decreased, whereas the concentration of TBARS decreased in the first year but increased in the following year, which may be partly explained by the imbalance between antioxidants and pro-oxidants.

Topics: Adult; Anthropometry; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Biomarkers; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Catalase; Energy Intake; Female; Gastric Bypass; Glutathione; Humans; Male; Obesity; Oxidative Stress; Postoperative Period; Prospective Studies; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; Vitamin E

The purpose of the study was to identify factors associated with weight loss during radiotherapy (RT) in patients with stage I or II head and neck (HN) cancer.. This study was conducted as part of a phase III chemoprevention trial. A total of 540 patients were randomized. The patients were weighed before and after RT. Patients' characteristics, dietary intake, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), tumor characteristic, treatment characteristics, and acute adverse effects of RT were evaluated at baseline and during RT. Factors independently associated with weight loss during RT were identified using the multiple linear regression (P ≤ 0.05).. The mean weight loss during RT was 2.2 kg (standard deviation, 3.4). In bivariate analyses, the occurrence of adverse effects of RT and most of the HRQOL dimensions evaluated during RT were correlated with weight loss. In the multivariate analysis, eight factors were associated with a greater weight loss: all HN cancer sites other than the glottic larynx (P < 0.001), TNM stage II disease (P = 0.01), higher pre-RT body weight (P < 0.001), dysphagia before RT (P < 0.005), higher mucosa adverse effect of RT (P = 0.03), lower dietary energy intake during RT (P < 0.001), lower score of the digestive dimension on the Head and Neck Radiotherapy Questionnaire (P < 0.001) and a higher score of the constipation symptom on the EORTC QLQ-C30 during RT (P = 0.02).. The results underline the importance of maintaining energy intake in early stage HN cancer patients during RT and the importance of preventing and treating adverse effects.

Topics: alpha-Tocopherol; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Causality; Chemoprevention; Chemoradiotherapy; Comorbidity; Double-Blind Method; Eating; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mucositis; Neoplasm Staging; Neoplasms, Second Primary; Population Surveillance; Quality of Life; Radiotherapy; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Weight Loss

The objective of the study was to determine whether short-term antioxidant (AOX) supplementation affects insulin sensitivity, endothelial adhesion molecule levels, and oxidative stress in overweight young adults. A randomized, double-blind, controlled study tested the effects of AOXs on measures of insulin sensitivity (homeostasis model assessment [HOMA]) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index), endothelial adhesion molecules (soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular adhesion molecule, and endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1), adiponectin, and oxidative stress (lipid hydroperoxides) in overweight and normal-weight individuals (N = 48, 18-30 years). Participants received either AOX (vitamin E, 800 IU; vitamin C, 500 mg; beta-carotene, 10 mg) or placebo for 8 weeks. The HOMA values were initially higher in the overweight subjects and were lowered with AOX by week 8 (15% reduction, P = .02). Adiponectin increased in both AOX groups. Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and endothelial-leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 decreased in overweight AOX-treated groups by 6% and 13%, respectively (P < .05). Plasma lipid hydroperoxides were reduced by 0.31 and 0.70 nmol/mL in the normal-weight and overweight AOX-treated groups, respectively, by week 8 (P < .05). Antioxidant supplementation moderately lowers HOMA and endothelial adhesion molecule levels in overweight young adults. A potential mechanism to explain this finding is the reduction in oxidative stress by AOX. Long-term studies are needed to determine whether AOXs are effective in suppressing diabetes or vascular activation over time.

Topics: Adiponectin; Adolescent; Adult; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Eating; Endothelial Cells; Female; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Overweight; Oxidative Stress; Oxygen Consumption; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; Vitamin E; Vitamins; Young Adult

To determine whether antioxidant (AOX) supplementation attenuates post-exercise oxidative stress and contributors to oxidative stress (inflammation, blood lipids) in overweight young adults.. This was a randomized, double-blind, controlled study. Overweight (BMI, 33.2 +/- 1.9 kg/m(2)) and comparative normal-weight (BMI, 21.9 +/- 0.5 kg/m(2)) adults 18 to 30 years old (total N = 48) were enrolled. Participants received either daily antioxidant (AOX) treatment (800 IU of vitamin E, 500 mg of vitamin C, 10 mg of beta-carotene) or placebo (PL) for 8 weeks for a total of four groups. All participants completed a standardized 30-minute cycle exercise bout at baseline and 8 weeks. Exercise-induced changes in lipid hydroperoxide (DeltaPEROX), C-reactive protein (DeltaCRP), interleukin-6 (DeltaIL-6), cholesterol subfractions, triglycerides, total AOX status (DeltaTAS), and adiponectin were assessed.. Exercise-induced DeltaPEROX was lower in the overweight-AOX group (0.09 nM/kg per min) compared with PL-treated overweight and normal-weight groups (0.98, 0.53 nM/kg per min) by 8 weeks (p < 0.05). Adiponectin was increased in both overweight and normal-weight AOX groups (22.1% vs. 3.1%; p < 0.05) but reduced in PL groups. DeltaIL-6, Deltatotal cholesterol, and Deltalow-density lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations during exercise were lower in the AOX-treated groups compared with PL groups (all p < 0.05). After controlling for BMI, the Deltatotal cholesterol, Deltalow-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, Deltaadiponectin, and DeltaTAS explained 59.1% of the variance of the regression model of the DeltaPEROX by 8 weeks (total model R(2) = 0.600; p = 0.015).. AOX lowers exercise-induced oxidative stress in overweight adults. Inflammatory and lipid markers may also be attenuated with AOX. Further studies are needed to determine whether AOX may be used in cardiovascular disease prevention in the overweight population.

Topics: Adiponectin; Adolescent; Adult; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Body Weight; C-Reactive Protein; Cholesterol; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Exercise; Female; Humans; Interleukin-6; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Obesity; Oxidative Stress; Triglycerides; Vitamin E

To investigate whether epileptic patients who become obese after valproic acid (VPA) therapy can have a high risk of atherosclerosis related to the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein, we prospectively studied the plasma concentrations of lipid-soluble antioxidant vitamins in a group of 20 epileptic girls and 20 controls. After 1 year of VPA treatment, epileptic patients who gained weight had decreased plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and alpha- and beta-carotene, the main lipid-soluble antioxidants. Moreover, 5 patients who gained weight were reevaluated 6 months after withdrawal from VPA therapy and showed normal body mass indices and normalized plasma levels of antioxidants. In conclusion, the data suggest that epileptic patients who gain weight after VPA therapy have reduced plasma concentrations of antioxidant vitamins and that these reductions are reversible after VPA withdrawal.

Topics: Adolescent; alpha-Tocopherol; Anticonvulsants; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Child; Epilepsy; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Obesity; Prospective Studies; Valproic Acid; Weight Gain

Although the ratio of total to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TC/HDL) is a powerful predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD), few studies have investigated which factors are associated with changes in this ratio over time. We examined predictors of a change in TC/HDL ratio over a period of 14 years among 4451 men free of CVD from the Physicians' Health Study.. Baseline and updated physician characteristics and CVD risk factors were included in multivariate linear and logistic regression models to determine factors associated with a change in the TC/HDL ratio or of having a ratio of > or =5 on follow-up.. After a mean follow-up of 14 years, mean total cholesterol decreased by 7 mg/dL, HDL increased by 1 mg/dL, and the ratio decreased by 0.37. In multivariate logistic analyses, physicians were more likely to have a TC/HDL ratio of > or =5 at follow-up if they maintained a weight of > or =25 kg/m2 (OR, 1.69 [1.35-2.12]), gained weight (OR, 2.01 [1.55-2.62]), or became inactive (OR, 1.43 [1.11-1.83]). However, older physicians and those who consumed alcohol or received treatment for hyperlipidemia were more likely to have a ratio of <5.. Although pharmacologic treatment for hyperlipidemia had the greatest favorable impact on the ratio over time, our data also show that maintaining an ideal weight and exercise have beneficial effects. We therefore advocate a renewed fervor for raising public awareness of the benefits of healthy lifestyle behaviors and pharmacologic treatments that are associated with long-term maintenance of favorable cholesterol levels.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alcohol Drinking; Aspirin; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, HDL; Comorbidity; Coronary Disease; Disease Progression; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hyperlipidemias; Life Style; Male; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Physicians; Predictive Value of Tests; Primary Prevention; Risk Factors; Smoking

Excessive consumption of energy and fat increases the risk for obesity. Snacks containing sucrose polyesters (SPE) as a dietary fat replacer are on the market in the United States. SPE products have been shown to lower concentrations of serum carotenoids in short-term studies. Experimental studies on the longer-term effects on health of decreased carotenoid concentrations are lacking. A 1-y randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel trial was performed. Subjects (n = 380) with a habitual low or high fruit and vegetable intake were assigned to the treatments (0, 7, 10 or 17 g/d SPE). SPE was given in the form of spreads, chips or both. The groups were compared for serum carotenoids, vitamins and markers of oxidative damage, eye health, cardiovascular health and immune status. After 1 y, serum lipid-adjusted carotenoids showed the largest decrease in the SPE chips and spread group (17 g/d) compared with the control group [alpha-carotene 33%; beta-carotene 31%, lycopene 24%, beta-cryptoxanthin 18%, lutein 18% (all P < 0.001) and zeaxanthin 13% (P < 0.05)]. Consumption of SPE spread (10 g/d SPE) decreased carotenoid concentrations by 11-29% (all P < 0.05). SPE chips (7 g/d SPE) decreased zeaxanthin (11%), beta-carotene (12%) and alpha-carotene (21%; all P < 0.05). Serum lipid adjusted alpha-tocopherol decreased significantly by 6-8% (all P < 0.001) in all SPE groups. No negative effects were observed on markers of oxidation, eye health, cardiovascular health or immune status. This study shows that decreases in serum carotenoid concentrations do not affect possible markers of disease risk.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; alpha-Tocopherol; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Cardiovascular Diseases; Carotenoids; Dietary Fats, Unsaturated; Double-Blind Method; Endothelium, Vascular; Eye Diseases; Fatty Acids; Female; Health Status; Humans; Immunity; Lipid Peroxidation; Lipids; Macula Lutea; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Compliance; Placebos; Risk Factors; Sucrose; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

To determine whether a reduced-fat diet consumed ad libitum can achieve the recommended intakes of other macronutrients, fiber, and cholesterol and whether such a diet affects intake of other important micronutrients such as fat-soluble vitamins.. Twelve-month, randomized, controlled trial of a reduced-fat, ad libitum diet vs usual diet.. One hundred ten adults older than 40 years with glucose intolerance (2-hour blood glucose concentration = 7.0 to 11.0 mmol/L) who were selected from a previous workforce survey.. Monthly small-group meetings aimed at identifying sources of dietary fat and ways to reduce fat consumption.. Nutrient intakes derived from 3-day food diaries at the beginning and end of the study. Blood levels of retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and beta carotene at the end of the study.. Unpaired t tests for determining changes in nutrient intake and antioxidant vitamin concentrations. Separate analyses were conducted with users of mineral and vitamin supplements and people who changed smoking status to reduce potential confounding.. Fat intake decreased from 35% to 26% of energy in the reduced-fat diet group compared with a 2% decrease in the control group (P < .0001). Total energy intake also decreased in the 2 groups (-362 vs -59 kcal/day, P < .02). Those changes were reflected in a 3.1 +/- 4.7 kg (mean +/- standard deviation) weight loss in the intervention group compared with a 0.4 +/- 3.0 kg weight gain in the control group (P < .0001). There were no differences between groups in the changes in micronutrient intakes, except for an energy-adjusted increase in beta carotene intake in the reduced-fat diet group. Serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol concentrations were not different between the groups, but the reduced-fat diet group had higher beta carotene concentrations (P = .009).. A reduced-fat, ad libitum diet can be prescribed to improve overall macronutrient intake and achieve modest weight loss without sacrificing micronutrient intakes.

Topics: beta Carotene; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Diet, Fat-Restricted; Energy Intake; Feeding Behavior; Female; Glucose Tolerance Test; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Vitamin A; Vitamin E; Vitamins

To compare the effects of free access to reduced fat products or their full fat equivalents on fat and energy intake, body weight, plasma lipids and fat-soluble antioxidants concentrations and haemostasis variables.. A multicentre open randomised controlled trial in which intervention and control groups were followed in parallel for six months. Volunteers had free access to 44 different foods either in reduced fat or full fat version, covering between 30 and 40% of energy intake. The remainder of energy intake was covered by foods bought in regular shops.. Zeist, Wageningen and Maastricht, The Netherlands.. Two hundred and forty-one non-obese healthy volunteers who had no intention to lose weight.. Food intake, body weight, plasma lipid, vitamin E, beta-carotene, lycopene and fibrinogen concentrations, plasma factor VII clotting activity, and plasminogen-activator-inhibitor-I antigen level.. One hundred and three volunteers in the full fat group and 117 volunteers in the reduced fat group completed the study. Energy and fat intake from the free access products was lower in the reduced fat group, but no difference in energy and fat intake of other products occurred. Body weight, energy-, fat- and vitamin E intake and percentage of energy derived from fat decreased in the reduced fat group. No other statistical significant intervention effects were observed. Blood lipid concentrations, factor VII activity and plasminogen-inhibitor-activator-1 level were reduced after consumption of reduced fat products.. When subjects without intention to lose weight limit fat intake by switching from ad libitum consumption of full fat products to reduced fat products body weight gain is prevented, and fat and energy intake are reduced. Such a switch may have beneficial effects on biochemical cardiovascular risk factors. We concluded that reduced fat products will help in a population strategy aimed at preventing overweight and obesity, they will also be effective in maintaining a lower body weight after slimming. Ad libitum consumption of reduced fat products will be ineffective for those individuals that want to reduce body weight because they are currently overweight or obese.

Topics: Adult; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Dietary Fats; Eating; Energy Intake; Factor VII; Fibrinogen; Food; Hemostasis; Humans; Lipids; Lycopene; Middle Aged; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; Solubility; Vitamin E

We examined the relationship between body composition and changes in plasma carotenoid concentration in response to dietary carotenoid restriction or beta-carotene (betaC) supplementation in healthy older men. Subjects (mean age 65 y) were assigned randomly to supplement (30 mg betaC/d) or placebo groups, and all subjects consumed a standard low carotenoid basal diet plus 1.5 mg betaC/d as carrots. Body composition was measured at baseline by hydrodensitometry, and plasma carotenoids were measured at baseline and after 28 d of treatment by HPLC. Baseline plasma total carotenoid concentration was significantly and negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI) and fat-free mass (FFM) but not with fat mass, whereas baseline betaC concentration was negatively associated with all three variables. The increase in plasma betaC concentration in response to betaC supplementation was significantly and inversely correlated with BMI and FFM but not with fat mass. Likewise, the decline in plasma total carotenoid concentration in the placebo group was also significantly and inversely related to BMI and FFM but not to fat mass. Thus, FFM seems to be an important determinant of plasma carotenoid concentrations and to explain a substantial portion of the often-observed relationship between BMI and blood carotenoid levels. Fat-free mass seems to represent a dynamic reservoir that dampens short-term changes in plasma carotenoid concentrations during fluctuation in carotenoid intake.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; beta Carotene; Body Composition; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Capsules; Carotenoids; Cohort Studies; Densitometry; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Regression Analysis

Dietary fat intake is higher than recommended in most western countries and is associated with the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases, obesity and cancer. The growing public concern about the adverse effects of a high fat intake has led to an increased availability of ¿reduced-fat' products. Consumption of reduced-fat products might be a convenient way to reduce the energy intake. Besides the potential of reduced-fat products to reduce the energy intake, it might change dietary fat intake, both qualitatively and quantitatively, which in turn might also affect oxidative stress, i.e. the anti-oxidant/pro-oxidant ratio. In this paper we present the effects of 6-month consumption of reduced-fat products on body weight, energy, macronutrient and vitamin E intake, concentration of the plasma lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA), erythrocyte free radical scavenging enzymes activities (glutathione peroxidase activity (GSH-Px); superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase) as well as plasma fat-soluble anti-oxidative vitamin concentrations (beta-carotene, lycopene and alpha-tocopherol).. A randomized semi-controlled parallel comparison trial of six months, preceded by a one-month adaptation period.. The reduced-fat and full fat products were provided through a realistic shop in order to mimic a ¿free-living' situation.. Subjects were recruited from respondents on advertisements. Eighty healthy, normal weight (BMI: range 20-30 kg/m2) subjects, aged between 20 and 55y, were selected to participate in this study; 76 subjects completed the study.. 6 months consumption of either reduced-fat or full-fat products.. During the intervention period, consumption of reduced fat products resulted in significantly lower energy intake, in a lower percentage of energy derived from saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids as well as in lower vitamin E intake, when compared to the control group. Body weight, the ratio polyunsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids, plasma MDA, vitamin concentrations (beta-carotene, lycopene and alpha-tocopherol), and erythrocyte free radical scavenging enzyme activities (SOD, GSH-Px and catalase) were not affected by the intervention.. Neither the difference in energy intake, nor the change in dietary fat composition seems to affect the integrity of the antioxidant scavenging capacity, assessed by measuring plasma MDA and antioxidative vitamins (lycopene, beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol) and erythrocyte free radical scavenging enzymes (SOD, GSH-Px and catalase).

Topics: Adult; Analysis of Variance; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Diet, Fat-Restricted; Dietary Fats; Energy Intake; Female; Glutathione Peroxidase; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation; Lycopene; Male; Malondialdehyde; Middle Aged; Oxidative Stress; Superoxide Dismutase; Vitamin E

Case-control studies of pancreatic cancer were conducted in 5 populations with moderate to high rates and differing dietary practices, using a common protocol and questionnaire. Comprehensive diet histories were completed for a total of 802 cases and 1669 controls identified in Adelaide (Australia), Montreal and Toronto (Canada), Utrecht (The Netherlands) and Opole (Poland). Positive associations were observed with intake of carbohydrates and cholesterol, and inverse associations with dietary fiber and vitamin C. These relationships were generally consistent among the 5 studies, and showed statistically significant and generally monotonic dose-response relationships. The relative risks for highest vs. lowest quintile of intake were estimated for carbohydrates to be 2.57 (95% confidence interval 1.64-4.03), cholesterol 2.68 (1.72-4.17), dietary fiber 0.45 (0.30-0.63), and vitamin C 0.53 (0.38-0.76). The consistency, strength, and specificity of these associations provides evidence for the hypothesis that some or all of these dietary factors may alter the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Ascorbic Acid; Australia; beta Carotene; Body Height; Body Weight; Canada; Carotenoids; Case-Control Studies; Cholesterol, Dietary; Diet; Dietary Fiber; Energy Intake; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Netherlands; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Poland; Vitamin A

We studied the relationship between eight variables, including age, sex, baseline plasma beta-carotene (BC) concentration, and smoking status and the increase in plasma BC in 582 subjects receiving oral supplementation with 50 mg BC/d. Median plasma BC concentrations after 1 y of supplementation increased from 335 nmol/L at entry to 3163 nmol/L. Changes in plasma BC concentrations ranged widely from -313 to 16,090 nmol/L (median 2721 nmol/L). Multivariate analysis revealed that the subject's plasma BC concentration before supplementation was the most important indicator of the amount of increase after supplementation. Nonsmokers, women, and leaner subjects all had larger increases in plasma concentrations although the statistical model could account for relatively little of the variability in subjects' plasma response to BC supplementation (R2 = 0.14). We conclude that between-subject variability in response to daily supplementation with oral BC is very large and that the best predictor of this response is the initial plasma BC concentration.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; beta Carotene; Body Constitution; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Regression Analysis; Sex Factors; Skin Neoplasms; Smoking

N-[4-hydroxyphenyl]retinamide, commonly known as fenretinide, a synthetic retinoid with pleiotropic benefits for human health, is currently utilized in clinical trials for cancer, cystic fibrosis, and COVID-19. However, fenretinide reduces plasma vitamin A levels by interacting with retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), which often results in reversible night blindness in patients. Cell culture and in vitro studies show that fenretinide binds and inhibits the activity of β-carotene oxygenase 1 (BCO1), the enzyme responsible for endogenous vitamin A formation. Whether fenretinide inhibits vitamin A synthesis in mammals, however, remains unknown. The goal of this study was to determine if the inhibition of BCO1 by fenretinide affects vitamin A formation in mice fed β-carotene. Our results show that wild-type mice treated with fenretinide for ten days had a reduction in tissue vitamin A stores accompanied by a two-fold increase in β-carotene in plasma (P < 0.01) and several tissues. These effects persisted in RBP4-deficient mice and were independent of changes in intestinal β-carotene absorption, suggesting that fenretinide inhibits vitamin A synthesis in mice. Using Bco1

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Dioxygenases; Fenretinide; Intestinal Absorption; Intestines; Liver; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Models, Biological; Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamin E

There are no medical drugs that provide an acceptable weight loss with minimal adverse effects. This study evaluated the Moringa peregrina (MP) seed extract's anti-obesity effect. Twenty-four (6/each group) male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into group Ι (control), group ΙΙ (high-fat diet [HFD]), group ΙΙΙ (HFD+ MP [250 mg/kg b.wt]), and group ΙV (HFD+ MP [500 mg/kg b.wt]). MP administration significantly ameliorated body weight gains and HFD induced elevation in cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and reduced HDL. Moreover, MP seed oil showed high free radical-scavenging activity, delayed β-carotene bleaching and inhibited lipoprotein and pancreatic lipase enzymes. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) revealed three major active components: crypto-chlorogenic acid, isoquercetin, and astragalin. Both quantitative Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and western blotting revealed that MP seeds oil significantly decreased the expression of lipogenesis-associated genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors gamma (PPARγ) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) and significantly elevated the expression of lipolysis-associated genes (acetyl-CoA carboxylase1, ACCl). The oil also enhanced phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase alpha (AMPK-α) and suppressed CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ). In conclusion, administration of M. peregrina seeds oil has anti-obesity potential in HFD-induced obesity in rats. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: M. peregrina seeds oil had a potential anti-obesity activity that may be attributed to different mechanisms. These included decreasing body weight, and body mass index and improving lipid levels by decreasing total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-C, and increasing HDL-C. Also, M. peregrina seeds oil regulated adipogenesis-associated genes, such as downregulating the expression of (PPARγ, C/EBPα, and FAS) and improving and upregulating the expression and phosphorylation of AMPKα and ACCl. Despite that M. peregrina extract has reported clear anti-obesity potential through animal and laboratory studies, the available evidence-based on human clinical trials are very limited. Therefore, further studies are needed that could focus on clinical trials investigating anti-obesity potential different mechanisms of M. peregrina extract in humans.

Topics: Acetyl Coenzyme A; Adipocytes; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases; Animals; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Chlorogenic Acid; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, LDL; Diet, High-Fat; Fatty Acid Synthases; Free Radicals; Humans; Lipase; Male; Moringa; Obesity; Plant Extracts; Plant Oils; PPAR gamma; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Seeds; Triglycerides

We investigated the effect of a system for fattening steers combining grazing with feeding rice whole-crop silage (rWCS) on growth performance, meat characteristics, and the expression of genes involved in skeletal muscle growth. Steers were randomly assigned to grazing or concentrate-fed groups (CT). The grazing group (GZ) was fed rWCS after grazing until 16 months of age. The final body weight was the same in the two groups, but the dressed weight was lower in the GZ than in the CT. The beef color standard was higher in the GZ than in the CT. Although beef marbling did not differ between the two groups, there was less intramuscular fat and subcutaneous fat in the GZ than in the CT. The α-tocopherol and β-carotene contents in the muscle were higher in the GZ than in the CT. The GZ showed a lower daily gain (DG) during the grazing period, which may have resulted from decelerating skeletal muscle growth caused by the increased expression of genes encoding myostatin and atrogin-1. However, the DG and feed efficiency of the GZ increased after grazing. The two groups exhibited a similar level of beef productivity.

Topics: Adipose Tissue; alpha-Tocopherol; Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Cattle; Color; Diet; Food Quality; Gene Expression; Herbivory; Male; Muscle Proteins; Muscle, Skeletal; Myostatin; Oryza; Red Meat; Silage

This 90-day study aimed to assess the dietary safety of transgenic rice EH which is rich in β-carotene. Two experimental groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets containing 45% rice flour of Zhonghua 11 rice and transgenic rice EH rich in β-carotene, respectively. The reference group was fed a diet containing standard feed nutrition. During the trial period, each rat was weighed and the food intake was recorded twice a week. Their behaviors were observed daily. In the end, blood samples were obtained from all anesthetized rats to measure the hematologic and serum chemistry indicators. Growth performance, anatomy and pathology of all organs in each group were analyzed. Although a few parameters were found to be statistically significantly different across groups, they were within the normal reference range for this breed and age of rats. Therefore, the changes were not considered to be diet related. The results revealed that the transgenic rice EH rich in β-carotene was as nutritious as Zhonghua 11 rice and showed a lack of biologically meaningful unintended effects.

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Diet; Eating; Food Safety; Growth; Nutritive Value; Oryza; Plants, Genetically Modified; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The aim of this work was to evaluate the antioxidant and hemolytic activities as well as the in vivo wound healing performance of a novel polysaccharide (FWEP) extracted from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds. The antioxidant activity was evaluated in vivo and in vitro using various assays. Results showed that FWEP exhibited strong antioxidant activities but no hemolytic activity was observed towards bovine erythrocytes. The application of FWEP hydrogel on the wound site in a rat model enhanced significantly wound healing activity and accelerated the wound closure after 14days of wound induction. Histological examination also demonstrated fully re-epithelialized wound with a complete epidermal regeneration. Altogether, these evidences demonstrated that FWEP had strong wound healing potential presumably achieved through its antioxidant activities.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Biomarkers; Biphenyl Compounds; Bleeding Time; Body Weight; Hemolysis; Hydrogen Peroxide; Hydroxyproline; Iron; Male; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress; Picrates; Polysaccharides; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Seeds; Skin; Skin Physiological Phenomena; Trigonella; Wound Healing

Topics: Aged; beta Carotene; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Eating; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Mindfulness; Prospective Studies; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic; Self-Management

The present study investigated the influence of a diet largely comprising rice whole-crop silage (rWCS) on growth performance, carcass and meat characteristics, and expression of genes involved in muscle growth of Japanese Black steers. Steers were randomly separated into rWCS-fed (rWCS ad libitum and restricted feeding of concentrate) and concentrate-fed groups. Total digestible nutrient intake and daily gain (DG) decreased in rWCS-fed steers in comparison with concentrate-fed steers, whereas dressed carcass weight and final body weight did not significantly differ between the groups. Decreases in drip loss in the muscle of rWCS-fed steers may be caused by α-tocopherol and β-carotene in muscle. Feeding large amounts of rWCS to steers may maintain quantitative productivity of beef steers equally to a concentrate-based diet, and improve the qualitative productivity. Results of gene expression suggest that activation of skeletal muscle growth in rWCS-fed steers may occur at the late fattening period owing to a decrease in myostatin and increase in myosin heavy chain gene expression. Preadipocyte factor-1 and myostatin genes may be strongly involved in the control of lipid accumulation. This rearing system would allow beef production to switch to rWCS-based diets from concentrate-based diets.

Topics: alpha-Tocopherol; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Cattle; Crops, Agricultural; Diet; Food Quality; Gene Expression; Lipid Metabolism; Male; Meat; Muscle Development; Muscles; Myosin Heavy Chains; Myostatin; Silage

Interactions between nutrition and infections in developing countries are complex, and analyses of the interrelations require data from longitudinal studies that span several years and a comprehensive framework facilitating the formulation of food and health policies.. The effects of dietary intakes in the Philippines for birth outcomes, heights, weights, and morbidity during ages 2-24 mo; heights and weights during ages 8-19 y; and completed adult heights were analyzed.. Data on >3000 children from the Cebu Longitudinal Health and Nutrition Survey were modeled in 4 sets of analyses. Cross-sectional and multilevel models were estimated for length and weight at birth. Dynamic random-effects models were estimated for children's heights, weights, and morbidity levels during ages 2-24 mo. Children's heights and weights during ages 8-19 y were modeled by using random-effects models. Children's heights at age 22 y were modeled for investigating the effects of nutritional intakes in early childhood and in adolescence.. Maternal anthropometric indicators, energy intakes, and sociodemographic variables were significantly associated with children's length and weight at birth. Dynamic models for children's heights and weights during ages 2-24 mo showed significant effects of calcium and protein intakes; child morbidity levels were significantly associated with height and weight. Higher β-carotene intakes were significantly associated with lower morbidity levels. Analyses of data on children during ages 8-19 y showed significant effects of protein and calcium intakes and of morbidity levels on heights and weights. Models for children's heights at age 22 y indicated significant effects of protein and calcium intakes during early childhood and in adolescence.. The results underscored the need for formulating long-term food and health policies for the Philippines that enhance children's physical development and ultimately their adult stature, which is important for physical work capacity and labor productivity.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; beta Carotene; Body Height; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Calcium, Dietary; Child; Child Development; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dietary Proteins; Empirical Research; Energy Intake; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Infant; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Micronutrients; Morbidity; Nutrition Surveys; Philippines; Socioeconomic Factors; Young Adult

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most important and prevalent diseases suffered by the elderly. Evidence exists that its onset and severity might be conditioned by antioxidant status. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between antioxidant status and COPD in institutionalised elderly people. In all, 183 elderly people aged >65 years (twenty-one had COPD and 160 healthy controls) were studied. The subjects' diets were investigated via the use of precise individual weighing for 7 d. Body weight, height, and biceps and triceps skinfold thickness were measured, and body fat (kg) and BMI (kg/m2) were calculated. Serum retinol, α-tocopherol, β-carotene and vitamin C levels were determined. Subjects with COPD ate less fruits than healthy controls (117 (sd 52) v. 192 (sd 161) g/d), their coverage of the recommended intake of vitamin C was smaller (150 (sd 45) v. 191 (sd 88) %; note that both exceeded 100 %) and their diets had a lower antioxidant capacity (6558 (sd 2381) v. 9328 (sd 5367) mmol trolox equivalent/d). Those with COPD had lower serum vitamin C and α-tocopherol concentrations than healthy controls (32·4 (sd 15·3) v. 41·5 (sd 14·8) µmol/l and 12·1 (sd 3·2) v. 13·9 (sd 2·8) µmol/l, respectively). In addition, subjects with α-tocopherol <14·1µmol/l (50th percentile) were at 6·43 times greater risk of having COPD than those subjects with ≥14·1µmol/l (OR 6·43; 95 % CI 1·17, 35·24; P<0·05), taking sex, age, use of tobacco, body fat and vitamin E intake as covariables. Subjects with COPD had diets of poorer antioxidant quality, especially with respect to vitamins C and E, compared with healthy controls.

Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; alpha-Tocopherol; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Biomarkers; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Case-Control Studies; Diet; Female; Fruit; Humans; Male; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive; Vitamin E

The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of retinol, beta-carotene, and alpha-tocopherol serum concentrations in adolescents with dyslipidemia. A case series dyslipidemia study was conducted, with an attached control group, including 104 adolescents of public schools in Recife during the months of March/April 2013. Retinol, beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol serum concentrations were analysed by high efficiency liquid chromatography. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, clinical and biochemical variables were analysed. Dyslipidemic adolescents had high serum concentrations of both retinol (p=0.007) and beta-carotene/apolipoprotein A-I ratio (p=0.034); they also had low concentrations of beta-carotene/total cholesterol (p<0.0001) and beta-carotene/apolipoprotein B ratios (p=0.033) when compared to the controls. The alpha-tocopherol serum status was not associated with dyslipidemia. Overweight, abdominal obesity, lipid profile markers, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were more prevalent in dyslipidemic adolescents. The findings show an association between vitamin A and dyslipidemia in adolescents. However, additional investigations of this risk group are necessary to clarify the mechanisms of action of this nutrient in the pathogenesis of this syndrome, aiming at reducing cardiometabolic risks as of earlier ages.

Topics: Adolescent; alpha-Tocopherol; Apolipoprotein A-I; Apolipoproteins B; beta Carotene; Biomarkers; Blood Glucose; Blood Pressure; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Brazil; Child; Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL; Diet; Dyslipidemias; Exercise; Female; Humans; Male; Obesity; Overweight; Socioeconomic Factors; Vitamin A; Waist Circumference; Young Adult

The present study evaluated the ameliorative potential of β-carotene (BCT) against experimentally induced arsenic toxicity in Swiss albino mice. BCT (5 and 10 mg/kg) was administered orally to mice 30 min before oral administration of arsenic trioxide (3 mg/kg) for 14 consecutive days. On 15th day, the body weights, organ weights, hematological profiles, serum biochemical profile; hepatic and renal antioxidative parameters viz. lipid peroxidation, reduced and oxidized glutathione, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, catalase; and DNA fragmentation were evaluated. Co-treatment with BCT markedly and significantly normalized body weights, organ weights, hematological profiles, serum biochemical profile and significantly modulated all the hepatic and renal biochemical parameters and DNA fragmentation in arsenic-intoxicated mice. The present findings conclude that β-carotene possessed remarkable ameliorative effect against arsenic-induced toxicity in albino mice mediated by its antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties.

Topics: Alanine Transaminase; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Arsenic Trioxide; Arsenicals; Aspartate Aminotransferases; beta Carotene; Blood Cell Count; Body Weight; Catalase; DNA Fragmentation; Glutathione; Glutathione Disulfide; Glutathione Peroxidase; Glutathione Reductase; Glutathione Transferase; Liver; Male; Mice; Organ Size; Oxides; Superoxide Dismutase; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; Time Factors; Vitamins

Vitamin A is involved in regulation of glucose concentrations, lipid metabolism, and inflammation, which are major risk factors for atherogenesis. However, the effect of vitamin A deficiency on atherogenesis has not been investigated. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to examine whether vitamin A deficiency accelerates atherogenesis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (apoE(-/-)). ApoE(-/-) mice were allocated into the following groups: control, fed vitamin A-containing chow diet; BC, fed chow diet fortified with Dunaliella powder containing βc isomers; VAD, fed vitamin A-deficient diet; and VAD-BC group, fed vitamin A-deficient diet fortified with a Dunaliella powder. Following 15 weeks of treatment, liver retinol concentration had decreased significantly in the VAD group to about 30% that of control group. Vitamin A-deficient diet significantly increased both plasma cholesterol concentrations and the atherosclerotic lesion area at the aortic sinus (+61%) compared to the control group. Dietary βc fortification inhibited the elevation in plasma cholesterol and retarded atherogenesis in mice fed the vitamin A-deficient diet. The results imply that dietary vitamin A deficiency should be examined as a risk factor for atherosclerosis and that dietary βc, as a sole source of retinoids, can compensate for vitamin A deficiency.

Topics: Animals; Apolipoproteins E; Atherosclerosis; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Cholesterol; Dietary Supplements; Gene Expression Regulation; Insulin Resistance; Liver; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

This study evaluated the concentrations of α-tocopherol, β-carotene, creatine, carnosine, anserine and coenzyme Q10 in Longissimus dorsi (Ld) and Gluteus medius (Gm) muscles of culled dairy cows and the impact of age, production status before slaughter (dry-off vs lactating) and carcass weight on them. The effects of applying a finishing feeding regimen before slaughter were also examined. Gm muscle presented higher levels (P<0.001) of α-tocopherol (5.14 vs 3.61 μg · g(-1)) β-carotene (0.36 vs 0.27 μg · g(-1)), anserine (59.24 vs 43.25 mg · 100 g(-1)) and coenzyme Q10 (3.33 vs 1.73 mg · 100 g(-1)), and by contrast lower (P<0.05) creatine concentration (502.40 vs 527.28 mg · 100 g(-1)) than Ld. Dry-off and lactating cows differed significantly in α-tocopherol level (P<0.001) but not in the concentrations of the other compounds (P>0.05). The finishing feeding promoted higher mean concentrations of anserine and creatine but lower carnosine values (P>0.05) than directly slaughtered dry-off cows. The variation between muscles and from animal-to-animal makes it difficult to exactly define the antioxidant status of the dairy cow's meat.

Topics: alpha-Tocopherol; Animal Feed; Animals; Anserine; Antioxidants; Azores; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carnosine; Cattle; Creatine; Diet; Female; Food Quality; Lactation; Meat; Muscle, Skeletal; Ubiquinone

To evaluate the reliability and relative validity of a semi-quantitative FFQ for assessing the habitual intake of multiple nutrients in New Zealand (NZ) adults over the past 12 months.. A 154-item FFQ was developed. After initial pre-testing, reliability was assessed using intra-class correlations. Relative validity was assessed by comparing nutrient intakes derived from the FFQ v. those from an 8 d diet record (8dWDR) collected over 12 months and selected blood biomarkers, using Spearman correlations. Supplementary cross-classification and Bland-Altman analyses were performed to assess validity of the FFQ v. the 8dWDR.. Dunedin, NZ.. One hundred and thirty-two males and females aged 30-59 years who completed all FFQ and 8dWDR and provided a blood sample.. Reliability coefficients ranged from 0·47 for Ca to 0·83 for alcohol, with most values falling between 0·60 and 0·80. The highest validity coefficients for energy-adjusted data were observed for alcohol (0·74), cholesterol (0·65) and β-carotene (0·58), and the lowest for Zn (0·24) and Ca (0·28). For all energy-adjusted nutrients mean percentage correct classification was 77·9% and gross misclassification was 4·5%. Results of Bland-Altman analyses showed wide limits of agreement for all micronutrients but high agreement was observed for most macronutrients (99% for protein, 103% for total fat). When compared with biomarkers, energy-adjusted coefficients were 0·34 for β-carotene and 0·33 for vitamin C.. The FFQ provides highly repeatable measurements and good validity in ranking individuals' intake, suggesting that it will be a useful tool to assess nutrient intake of NZ adults in future research.

Topics: Adult; alpha-Tocopherol; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Biomarkers; Body Weight; Diet Records; Energy Intake; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; New Zealand; Prospective Studies; Reproducibility of Results; Surveys and Questionnaires

Growth rate and medium parameters between two bench scale volumes (13-L and 250-L) were compared. Experiments were maintained batch mode and culture parameters were periodically measured during a 13-day period. Culture growth during the cultivation of algae Haematococcus pluvialis was determined qualitatively by cell counting, optical density, dry weight, ash content, amount of chlorophyll-a, total organic carbon content and by direct measuring of medium nutrients and some abiotic aspects. Vegetative cell growth was higher when cultured in 13-L with 1.33 x 10(5) cells.mL(-1) on the 12th day than when cultured in 250-L. Significant difference (p < 0.05) in the biology and water culture of H. pluvialis, with the exception of dry weight, ash, nitrite and ammonia, was reported between the volumes. Data obtained in current study for the upscale culture maintenance of H. pluvialis in laboratory conditions shows that it should be undertaken in a 13-L volume due to a greater time span of cells in a vegetative state, greater cell density, lipids and chlorophyll-a contents. Light was of paramount importance on the direct performance of H. pluvialis on the algal biological conditions.

Topics: beta Carotene; Biomass; Body Weight; Carbon; Chlorophyll; Chlorophyll A; Chlorophyta; Culture Media; Light

Equations for predicting body composition from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) parameters are age-, sex- and population-specific. Currently there are no equations applicable to women of reproductive age in rural South Asia. Hence, we developed equations for estimating total body water (TBW), fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass in rural Bangladeshi women using BIA, with ²H₂O dilution as the criterion method. Women of reproductive age, participating in a community-based placebo-controlled trial of vitamin A or β-carotene supplementation, were enrolled at 19·7 (SD 9·3) weeks postpartum in a study to measure body composition by ²H₂O dilution and impedance at 50 kHz using multi-frequency BIA (n 147), and resistance at 50 kHz using single-frequency BIA (n 82). TBW (kg) by ²H2O dilution was used to derive prediction equations for body composition from BIA measures. The prediction equation was applied to resistance measures obtained at 13 weeks postpartum in a larger population of postpartum women (n 1020). TBW, FFM and fat were 22·6 (SD 2·7), 30·9 (SD 3·7) and 10·2 (SD 3·8) kg by ²H₂O dilution. Height²/impedance or height²/resistance and weight provided the best estimate of TBW, with adjusted R² 0·78 and 0·76, and with paired absolute differences in TBW of 0·02 (SD 1·33) and 0·00 (SD 1·28) kg, respectively, between BIA and ²H₂O. In the larger sample, values for TBW, FFM and fat were 23·8, 32·5 and 10·3 kg, respectively. BIA can be an important tool for assessing body composition in women of reproductive age in rural South Asia where poor maternal nutrition is common.

Topics: Adult; Anthropometry; Bangladesh; beta Carotene; Body Composition; Body Height; Body Water; Body Weight; Dietary Supplements; Electric Impedance; Female; Humans; Postpartum Period; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Rural Population; Vitamin A; Young Adult

Oxidative stress may play a role in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Insulin resistance (IR) also can be found in young non-obese women with PCOS. Hyperglycemia may increase reactive oxygen species production and decrease antioxidant levels.. To investigate oxidative status and its relation with IR in young non-obese patients with PCOS.. Thirty-one patients with hyperinsulinemic (no.=13) and normoinsulinemic (no.=18) PCOS and 29 healthy controls were included in this study. Serum levels of glucose, insulin, gonadotropins, total testosterone, DHEAS, SHBG, 2-h plasma glucose on oral glucose tolerance test, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), reduced glutathione (GSH), β carotene, vitamin A, C, E and the enzyme activities of catalase and glutathione S-transferase (GST), IR [by homeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR], and β cell function [by HOMA-B] were assessed.. Serum glucose, insulin, total testosterone, DHEAS, HOMA-IR levels, and LH/FSH ratios were higher in young non-obese women with PCOS. Serum MDA and PC levels were also higher but GSH, vitamin C and E levels, and GST enzyme activity were lower in these women than in healthy controls, independently of the status of IR (p<0.05).. Oxidative stress characterized by increased oxidants and decreased antioxidant levels which are independent of IR may be involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS in young non-obese women.

Topics: Adult; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Blood Glucose; Body Weight; Catalase; Female; Glucose Tolerance Test; Glutathione; Glutathione Transferase; Homeostasis; Hormones; Humans; Hyperinsulinism; Insulin Resistance; Malondialdehyde; Oxidative Stress; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Protein Carbonylation; Vitamins; Young Adult

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is known to inversely correlate with antioxidant status. Recently, it has been reported that MetS is associated with arterial stiffness, a composite risk factor for early atherosclerosis. In addition, our recent study for healthy women showed an inverse relationship between arterial stiffness and circulating lycopene. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the interrelationship between arterial stiffness, antioxidant status, and the risk of MetS. Korean men (N = 299) were subgrouped according to the number of MetS risk factors (RF 0, RF 1-2, RF ≥ 3). Anthropometric parameters, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV; a marker of arterial stiffness), antioxidants (lycopene, β-carotene, α-tocopherol), lipid profiles, glucose, insulin, and oxidative stress (low-density lipoprotein [LDL] particle size, oxidized LDL) were measured. Corresponding to the number of MetS RF, baPWV (1306 ± 17, 1364 ± 16, and 1420 ± 33 cm/s; P < .001) and insulin resistance (1.5 ± 0.1, 1.9 ± 0.1, and 2.7 ± 0.2; P < .001) gradually increased after adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking, and drinking, whereas serum lycopene among antioxidants and LDL particle size gradually decreased (0.036 ± 0.001, 0.031 ± 0.001, and 0.028 ± 0.001 mmol/L; P = .004 and 23.9 ± 0.1, 23.7 ± 0.1, and 23.3 ± 0.1 nm; P < .001, respectively). Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity inversely correlated with serum lycopene after adjustment for the above confounders, blood pressure, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress (r = -0.136, P < .05). Oxidative stress markers also significantly correlated with baPWV as well as serum lycopene. Study subjects were divided into 2 groups by the median level of serum lycopene. When serum lycopene was lower than median level (≤ 0.0294 mmol/L), baPWV was significantly higher in MetS subjects than non-MetS subjects (1436 ± 41 vs 1367 ± 23 cm/s) after adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking, drinking, and oxidative stress (P = .041). However, when serum lycopene levels were high, no statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 subject groups (1386 ± 36 vs 1326 ± 13 cm/s). In conclusion, our result shows the interrelationship between circulating lycopene, baPWV, and MetS. In addition, much enhanced baPWV in MetS may be associated with lower lycopene concentration.

Topics: alpha-Tocopherol; Ankle Brachial Index; Antioxidants; Arteries; beta Carotene; Biomarkers; Blood Glucose; Body Height; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Female; Humans; Insulin; Insulin Resistance; Lipids; Lipoproteins, LDL; Lycopene; Male; Metabolic Syndrome; Middle Aged; Oxidative Stress; Risk

Efforts to increase beta-carotene in cassava have been successful, but the ability of high-beta-carotene cassava to prevent vitamin A deficiency has not been determined. Two studies investigated the bioefficacy of provitamin A in cassava and compared the effects of carotenoid content and variety on vitamin A status in vitamin A-depleted Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Gerbils were fed a vitamin A-free diet 4 weeks prior to treatment. In Expt 1, treatments (ten gerbils per group) included 45 % high-beta-carotene cassava, beta-carotene and vitamin A supplements (intake matched to high-beta-carotene cassava group), and oil control. In Expt 2, gerbils were fed cassava feeds with 1.8 or 4.3 nmol provitamin A/g prepared with two varieties. Gerbils were killed after 4 weeks. For Expt 1, liver vitamin A was higher (P < 0.05) in the vitamin A (1.45 (sd 0.23) micromol/liver), lower in the control (0.43 (sd 0.10) micromol/liver), but did not differ from the beta-carotene group (0.77 (sd 0.12) micromol/liver) when compared with the high-beta-carotene cassava group (0.69 (sd 0.20) micromol/liver). The bioconversion factor was 3.7 microg beta-carotene to 1 microg retinol (2 mol:1 mol), despite 48 % cis-beta-carotene [(Z)-beta-carotene] composition in cassava. In Expt 2, cassava feed with 4.3 nmol provitamin A/g maintained vitamin A status. No effect of cassava variety was observed. Serum retinol concentrations did not differ. Beta-carotene was detected in livers of gerbils receiving cassava and supplements, but the cis-to-trans ratio in liver differed from intake. Biofortified cassava adequately maintained vitamin A status and was as efficacious as beta-carotene supplementation in the gerbil model.

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Biological Availability; Body Weight; Cottonseed Oil; Dietary Supplements; Food, Fortified; Gerbillinae; Isomerism; Liver; Male; Manihot; Nutritional Status; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamins

To investigate whether the micronutrients that were shown to reduce the risk of development of age-related macular degeneration in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) can have the same effect on the development of diabetic retinopathy in rats, and to understand the possible mechanisms.. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats received a powdered diet with or without supplemental micronutrients (ascorbic acid, vitamin E, beta-carotene, zinc, and copper). The retina was used after the rats had diabetes for 12 months to detect vascular histopathology and to measure the biochemical parameters and messenger RNA levels of the genes involved in oxidative and nitrative stress.. The AREDS-based micronutrients prevented a diabetes-induced increase in the number of retinal acellular capillaries. In the same rats, micronutrients inhibited increases in retinal oxidatively modified DNA and nitrotyrosine and decreases in manganese superoxide dismutase. Diabetes-induced alterations in the messenger RNA expression of mitochondrial electron transport complex III (coenzyme Q cytochrome-c reductase) and inducible nitric oxide synthase were also prevented.. Age-Related Eye Disease Study-based micronutrients inhibit the development of diabetic retinopathy in rodents by inhibiting oxidative and nitrative stress.. Micronutrients that slow down the onset and progression of age-related macular degeneration have the potential to inhibit the development of diabetic retinopathy.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Copper; Deoxyadenosines; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Diabetic Retinopathy; Diet; Eating; Electron Transport Complex III; Glycated Hemoglobin; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Male; Micronutrients; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Oxidative Stress; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Rats; Rats, Inbred Lew; Retinal Vessels; RNA, Messenger; Superoxide Dismutase; Tyrosine; Vitamin E; Zinc Oxide

Lycopene has been shown to inhibit tumor metastasis in vitro, but it is unclear whether lycopene is antimetastatic in vivo. Here, nude mice were orally supplemented 2 times per week for 12 wk with a low or high dose of lycopene [1 or 20 mg/kg body weight (BW)] or with beta-carotene (20 mg/kg BW). Two weeks after the beginning of supplementation, mice were injected once with human hepatoma SK-Hep-1 cells via the tail vein. Plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) increased gradually in tumor-injected mice (tumor controls) following tumor injection but were markedly lowered by lycopene or beta-carotene supplementation. Ten weeks after tumor injection, mice were killed and tumor metastasis was found to be confined to the lungs. Compared with the tumor controls, high-lycopene supplementation lowered the mean number of tumors from 14 +/- 8 to 3 +/- 5 (P < 0.05) and decreased tumor cross-sectional areas by 62% (P < 0.05). High-lycopene supplementation also decreased the positive rate of proliferating cellular nuclear antigen (PCNA), the level of VEGF, and protein expressions of PCNA, MMP-9, and VEGF in lung tissues. However, high-lycopene increased the protein expression of nm23-H1 (an antimetastatic gene) by 133% (P < 0.001). For most variables measured, effects of lycopene were dose dependent and the effect of beta-carotene was between those of high-dose and low-dose lycopene. These results show that lycopene supplementation reduces experimental tumor metastasis in vivo and suggest that such an action is associated with attenuation of tumor invasion, proliferation, and angiogenesis.

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Carotenoids; Cell Line, Tumor; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; Interleukin-12; Lung Neoplasms; Lycopene; Male; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; Mice; Mice, Nude; Neoplasm Metastasis; Neoplasms, Experimental; NM23 Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinases; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Early maternal effects in the form of substances accumulated in the egg, such as carotenoids and hormones, can be physiologically relevant for a good development of offspring. It has been found in different species that testosterone (T) can be beneficial to offspring by increasing growth rate, but detrimental by reducing immunocompetence and increasing oxidative stress. Carotenoids on the other hand are suggested to be beneficial because they can counteract the oxidative stress and the immune-depressive effect of T. In this study we analyzed the effect of prenatal T exposure in the grey partridge. We injected eggs with three doses of T (high, intermediate, and physiological). After hatching, chicks exposed to a prenatal high dose of T were fed with two diets (rich or poor) differing in beta-carotene content. We found a significant effect of T on both chick growth and cell-mediated immunity, with high T doses resulting in detrimental effects while low doses were beneficial. Detrimental effects of the high dose of T on immunity were mitigated by beta-carotene consumed in the diet. The differences between groups were observed in the early period of life (age 10 days for mass, and age 10 and 21 days for immunity), and disappeared in the following period, and up to 1 and 2 years later. Overall, our observations show that T in the egg is not detrimental but beneficial, and that negative effects are found only at supraphysiological concentrations. The negative effects of T on immunity could be balanced if chicks could consume a diet rich in beta-carotene.

Topics: Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; Animals, Newborn; beta Carotene; Birds; Body Weight; Diet; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Egg Yolk; Embryo, Nonmammalian; Growth; Immunity; Immunity, Cellular; Testosterone

The effect of beta-cryptoxanthin, a kind of carotenoid, on ovariectomy-induced bone loss was investigated. beta-cryptoxanthin was isolated from Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshu. MARC). beta-cryptoxanthin (5 or 10 microg/100 g body weight) was orally administered once daily for 3 months to ovariectomized (OVX) rats. OVX induced a significant increase in body weight and a significant decrease in serum calcium and inorganic phosphorus concentrations as compared with those of sham-operated (control) rats. These alterations induced by OVX were significantly prevented by the administration of beta-cryptoxanthin (5 or 10 microg/100 g). The analysis using a peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) showed that OVX induced a significant decrease in mineral content and mineral density in the femoral-diaphyseal and -metaphyseal tissues and polar strength strain index in the metaphyseal tissues. These decreases were significantly prevented by the administration of beta-cryptoxanthin (5 or 10 microg/100 g). Moreover, OVX induced a significant decrease in calcium content and alkaline phosphatase activity in the femoral-diaphyseal and -metaphyseal tissues and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content in the metaphyseal tissues. These decreases were significantly prevented by the administration of beta-cryptoxanthin (5 or 10 microg/100 g). This study demonstrates that beta-cryptoxanthin has a preventive effect on OVX-induced bone loss in vivo.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Bone Density; Bone Resorption; Cryptoxanthins; Female; Femur; Humans; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal; Ovariectomy; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Xanthophylls

The effects of combined beta-cryptoxanthin and zinc on bone components in the femoral-diaphyseal (cortical bone) and -metaphyseal (trabecular bone) tissues of rats in vivo were investigated. Rats were orally administered either vehicle, beta-cryptoxanthin (5 or 10 microg/100 g body weight), zinc sulfate (0.1 or 0.5 mg Zn/100 g), or their combination once a day for 7 d. Calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity, and DNA content in the femoral-diaphyseal tissues was not significantly altered by the administration of beta-cryptoxanthin (5 microg/100 g) or zinc (0.1 or 0.5 mg/100 g). Combined administration of beta-cryptoxanthin (5 microg/100 g) and zinc (0.1 or 0.5 mg/100 g) caused a synergistic increase in calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity, and DNA content in the diaphyseal tissues. The effect of beta-cryptoxanthin (5 or 10 microg/100 g) in increasing calcium and DNA contents in the metaphyseal tissues was significantly enhanced by the combined administration of zinc (0.1 or 0.5 mg/100 g), but did not have a significant effect on the metaphyseal components. The metaphyseal alkaline phosphatase activity was markedly increased by the combination of beta-cryptoxanthin (5 microg/100 g) and zinc (0.1 or 0.5 mg/100 g). This study demonstrates that the oral administration of the combination of zinc at lower doses synergistically enhances beta-cryptoxanthin-induced anabolic effects on bone components in the femoral tissues of rats in vivo.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Alkaline Phosphatase; Anabolic Agents; Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Calcium; Cryptoxanthins; Drug Synergism; Femur; Male; Phosphorus Compounds; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Xanthophylls; Zinc; Zinc Sulfate

Lycopene has been shown to have various biologic effects, and rats and mice are often used for elucidating its in vivo effects and mechanisms. Here, we compared plasma and tissue lycopene levels in F344 rats, BALB/c mice, nude mice, and gerbils by oral supplementation with lycopene (20 mg/kg BW x 2d) every other morning for 10 days. We found that livers accumulated substantially more lycopene than kidneys and that the hepatic lycopene contents varied greatly in these animals, with gerbils being most efficient (1432 +/- 235 nmol/g), followed by nude mice (524 +/- 133 nmol/g), F344 rats (28 +/- 11 nmol/g), and BALB/c mice (5 +/- 2 nmol/g). Plasma lycopene concentrations also varied greatly, of which the highest was found in gerbils (667 +/- 160 nmol/L), followed by nude mice (224 +/- 51 nmol/L), then by BALB/c mice and F344 rats (198 +/- 52 and 139 +/- 41 nmol/L, respectively). Interestingly, plasma and tissue beta-carotene concentrations in these animals were markedly decreased by lycopene supplementation. To determine the steady-state levels of plasma lycopene, we fed 10 gerbils with lycopene (20 mg/kg BW x 2d) for 20 days, and we found a steady-state level of plasma lycopene between 597 to 722 nmol/L. Our results demonstrate that gerbils and nude mice are better accumulators than F344 rats and BALB/c mice, and that the former species may be more useful for studying the in vivo effects of lycopene.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Dietary Supplements; Gerbillinae; Kidney; Liver; Lycopene; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; Models, Animal; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Species Specificity; Time Factors

Oxidative stress has a key role in the pathogenesis of diabetes-induced cataract formation and nephropathy. Daily moderate exercise and vitamins C and E (VCE) supplementation can be beneficial to diabetes due to reducing blood glucose and free radical production. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of moderate exercise with vitamin VCE on lipid peroxidation (LP) and antioxidative systems in the kidneys and lens of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Forty female Wistar rats were used. They were randomly divided into four groups. The first and second groups were used as control and diabetic groups. The third group was the diabetic-exercise group. VCE-supplemented feed was given to diabetic-exercise rats constituting the fourth group. Animals in the exercised groups were moderately exercised daily on a treadmill for three weeks (five days a week). Diabetes was induced on day zero of exercise. Body weights in the four groups were recorded weekly. Lens and kidney samples were taken from all animals on day 20. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin E, and beta-carotene levels in kidney and lens, albumin in plasma, and body weight were significantly lower in the diabetic group than in the control group, whereas there was a significant increase in LP of kidney and lens as well as plasma glucose, urea, and creatinine levels in the diabetic group. The decrease in antioxidant enzymes, vitamins, and albumin and the increase in LP and glucose levels in diabetic rats were significantly improved with exercise and VCE supplementation. In the diabetic animals, the decreased beta-carotene and vitamins A levels in kidney did not improve through exercise only, although their levels were increased by exercise plus VCE supplementation. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that lipid peroxidation increases in the lens and kidney of diabetic animals and this could be due to decreases in antioxidant vitamins and enzymes. However, dietary VCE with moderate exercise may strengthen the antioxidant defense system through the reduction of ROS and blood glucose levels. The VCE supplementations with exercise may play a role in preventing the development of diabetic nephropathy and cataract formation in diabetic animals.

Topics: Albumins; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Blood Glucose; Body Weight; Creatinine; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Dietary Supplements; Female; Glutathione; Glutathione Peroxidase; Kidney; Lens, Crystalline; Lipid Peroxidation; Oxidative Stress; Physical Conditioning, Animal; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Streptozocin; Urea; Vitamin A; Vitamin E

A subchronic oral toxicity study of beta-carotene derived from Blakeslea trispora, a natural food colorant, was performed with groups of 10 male and 10 female F344 rats fed the agent at dietary levels of 0%, 0.2%, 1.0% and 5.0% for 90 days. There were no treatment-related adverse effects with regard to body weight, food and water consumption, urinalysis, ophthalmology, hematology, serum biochemistry, and organ weight data. On clinical observation, red coloring of fur was noted in both sexes of the 1.0% and 5.0% group rats, with red feces observed in all treated group animals, and necropsy revealed all rats of the treated groups to have reddish coloration of the contents of the gastro-intestinal tract, due to the pigmentation and thus lacking toxicological significance. On histopathological examination, sporadic spontaneous lesions known to occur in this strain of rats were the only findings, with no specific relation to the test substance. Thus, the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) was judged to be a dietary level of at least 5.0% (3127 mg/kg body weight/day for males, 3362 mg/kg body weight/day for females) for beta-carotene derived from B. trispora under the present experimental conditions.

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Blood Cell Count; Blood Chemical Analysis; Body Weight; Diet; Female; Food Coloring Agents; Fungi; Male; Organ Size; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344

There is debate about the possible deleterious effect of excessive vitamin A exposure on fracture risk. In this nested case control study in older women (312 cases and 934 controls), serum retinol, retinyl palmitate, and beta-carotene were not associated with fracture risk, and there was no evidence of excess risk with multivitamin or cod liver oil supplementation.. Recent studies have suggested that higher vitamin A intake may account for a component of fracture risk within the general population and that supplemental vitamin A may be harmful even within recommended limits. No studies have examined the relationship between biochemical retinol status and fracture in older women.. We examined serum retinol, retinyl palmitate, and beta-carotene as predictors of incident hip and other fractures in a large prospective study of British women over the age of 75 years (n = 2606, 312 incident osteoporotic fractures, 92 incident hip fractures; mean follow-up duration, 3.7 years). Fasting blood samples (9:00-11:00 a.m.) were collected at baseline. Using a case-control design (three controls per case), serum retinol, retinyl palmitate, and beta-carotene were assessed as univariate predictors of incident osteoporotic fracture or hip fracture. Baseline BMD at the total hip, age, 25(OH)D, serum beta Crosslaps, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, weight, height, and smoking were considered as covariates in a multivariate model.. Serum retinol, retinyl palmitate, and beta-carotene were not significant univariate predictors of either hip fracture or any fracture (all p > 0.05; Cox proportional hazards regression). For all osteoporotic fractures, the hazard ratio (HR) was 0.92 (95% CI, 0.81-1.05) per 1 SD increase in serum retinol. Risk of any osteoporotic fracture was slightly less in the highest quartile of serum retinol compared with the lowest quartile (HR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.69-1.05; p = 0.132) There was a tendency for increased serum retinol to predict benefit rather than harm in terms of BMD (r = 0.09, p = 0.002). Multivitamin or cod liver oil supplementation was associated with a significantly lower risk of any fracture (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.60-0.96; p = 0.021). In multivariate analysis, only age, total hip BMD, and weight were associated with fracture risk (p < 0.05).. We found no evidence to support any skeletal harm associated with increased serum indices of retinol exposure or modest retinol supplementation in this population.

Topics: Aged; Alkaline Phosphatase; beta Carotene; Body Height; Body Weight; Bone and Bones; Bone Density; Case-Control Studies; Dietary Supplements; Diterpenes; Female; Hip Fractures; Humans; Multivariate Analysis; Osteoporosis; Proportional Hazards Models; Regression Analysis; Retinoids; Retinyl Esters; Risk Factors; Time Factors; Vitamin A

Adipose tissue is an important retinoid depot and retinoids are known to influence white and brown adipocyte metabolism. Identifying nutrients that can affect the biological activity of the adipose organ would be of great medical interest in the light of the current obesity epidemic and related disorders in developed countries. The vast majority of mammal studies of chronic administration of oral beta-carotene have used murine models, while few have employed mammals exhibiting uptake and processing of intestinal beta-carotene similar to those of humans. While rodents transform practically all ingested beta-carotene into retinol, in ferrets, as in humans, part of the beta-carotene is absorbed and released into the circulation intact. We studied the effects of 6-month daily administration of two doses of oral beta-carotene (0.8 or 3.2 mg/kg/day) on ferret body weight, size of body fat depots, and, using morphological and morphometric methods, on subcutaneous (inguinal) white adipose tissue (WAT). Because of the oral mode of administration, liver, stomach, and small and large intestine were also studied. Control animals received the vehicle. Data show that at the end of treatment the higher dose induced significantly higher body weight compared with controls and significantly higher inguinal fat depot compared with animals treated with the lower dose. In addition, chronic treatment with beta-carotene induced a dose-dependent hypertrophy of white adipocytes and increased neoangiogenesis in subcutaneous WAT in all treated ferrets. Vasculogenesis was independent of adipocyte hypertrophy. We also found focally evident liver steatosis in the ferrets treated with the higher dose of beta-carotene. The other gastrointestinal tract organs studied were not significantly different from those of control animals.

Topics: Adipose Tissue; Administration, Oral; Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Capillaries; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Ferrets; Liver; Organ Size; Subcutaneous Tissue; Time Factors

Chemopreventive activities of all-trans retinoic acid (AtRA), 9-cis retinoic acid (9cRA), retinol (ROL) and beta-carotene (betaC) were evaluated during hepatocarcinogenesis. Rats received 1 mg/100 g body wt AtRA (AtRA group), 9cRA (9cRA group), ROL (ROL group), 7 mg/100 g body wt betaC (betaC group) or corn oil (CO group, controls). Hepatocyte nodule incidence was reduced (P < 0.05) in betaC group (46%), but not (P > 0.05) in AtRA (92%), 9cRA (92%) and ROL (82%) groups, compared with the CO group (100%). Multiplicity of these preneoplastic lesions (PNL) was different (P < 0.05) between CO group (44 +/- 9) and 9cRA (11 +/- 4), ROL (7 +/- 3) and betaC (4 +/- 2) groups, except for AtRA group (27 +/- 9; P > 0.05). Number/cm(2) liver section, mean area (mm(2)) and percent liver section area occupied by total (persistent + remodeling) placental glutathione S-transferase (GST-P) positive PNL was reduced (P < 0.05) in AtRA (107 +/- 13; 0.12 +/- 0.06; 13.9 +/- 3.9), 9cRA (71 +/- 12; 0.12 +/- 0.06; 6.8 +/- 2.2), ROL (96 +/- 13; 0.11 +/- 0.22; 6.8 +/- 2.0) and betaC (106 +/- 13; 0.08 +/- 0.03; 10.8 +/- 2.5) groups compared with CO group (166 +/- 14; 0.18 +/- 0.09; 28.6 +/- 5.2). Percent of remodeling GST-P positive PNL was increased (P < 0.05) in 9cRA (92 +/- 1), ROL (96 +/- 1) and betaC (93 +/- 1) groups, but not (P > 0.05) in AtRA group (90 +/- 2), compared with the CO group (86 +/- 1). Compared with the CO group, all groups present in PNL reduced (P < 0.05) cell proliferation and no differences (P > 0.05) in apoptosis. DNA damage [comet length (mum)] was reduced (P < 0.05) in ROL (87.9 +/- 2.6) and betaC (89.2 +/- 4.0) groups, but not in AtRA (94.8 +/- 4.1) and 9cRA (94.2 +/- 1.5) groups, compared with the CO group (100.4 +/- 3.9). AtRA, 9cRA, ROL and betaC presented chemopreventive activities against hepatocarcinogenesis. These involve inhibition of cell proliferation, but not induction of apoptosis. Increased remodeling of GST-P positive PNL relates to 9cRA, ROL and betaC actions, while inhibition of DNA damage relates to ROL and betaC actions.

Topics: Alitretinoin; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Apoptosis; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Cell Proliferation; Chemoprevention; Comet Assay; DNA Damage; Glutathione Transferase; Hepatocytes; Incidence; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental; Male; Organ Size; Precancerous Conditions; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Tretinoin; Vitamin A

The effects of policosanol (P), of extract of red yeast rice (rice fermented with Monascus purpureus) (RYE) and of astaxanthin (A) (constituents of Armolipid) were investigated in a model of experimental atherosclerosis provoked in the rabbit by atherogenic cholesterol-enriched feed (ACEF). P and RYE and their combination were able to lower the increase of serum total cholesterol and of LDL cholesterol elicited by 3-month feeding with ACEF. They also were able to reduce the increase of blood malondialdehyde (MDA), a tracer of lipid peroxidation by the free radicals released by ACEF. When combined, the substances developed either additive or potentiated effects, supporting the rationale of their combination. Remarkable was the protective effect on lipid infiltration in the aortic wall provoked by ACEF, which was reduced by P and by RYE and almost completely prevented by the addition of A to the P-RYE combination. The results support the rationale of a combination of P, RYE and A as a useful food supplement in hyperlipemic patients.

Topics: Animals; Anticholesteremic Agents; Aorta; Arteriosclerosis; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Cholesterol; Diet, Atherogenic; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Fatty Alcohols; Female; Free Radicals; Malondialdehyde; Monascus; Rabbits; Triglycerides; Xanthophylls

The effects of beta-cryptoxanthin, a carotenoid, on bone components in the femoral-diaphyseal and -metaphyseal tissues of streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats was investigated. Rats received a single subcutaneous administration of STZ (6.0 mg/100 g body weight), and then the animal were orally administered beta-cryptoxanthin (5 or 10 microg/100 g body weight) once daily for 7 or 14 d. The administration of STZ caused a significant decrease in body weight and a significant increase in serum glucose, triglyceride, and calcium levels, indicating a diabetic state. These alterations were significantly prevented by the administration of beta-cryptoxanthin (5 or 10 microg/100 g) for 14 d. The administration of beta-cryptoxanthin (5 or 10 microg/100 g) to normal rats for 14 d did not have a significant effect on body weight or on serum glucose, triglyceride, and calcium levels. Calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity, and DNA content in the femoral-diaphyseal and -metaphyseal tissues were significantly decreased in STZ-diabetic rats. These decreases were significantly prevented by the administration of beta-cryptoxanthin (5 or 10 microg/100 g) for 14 d. The administration of beta-cryptoxanthin to normal rats for 14 d caused a significant increase in calcium content, alkaline phosphatase activity, and DNA content in the femoral-diaphyseal and -metaphyseal tissues. This study demonstrates that the intake of beta-cryptoxanthin has a preventive effect on bone loss in STZ-diabetic rats.

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Blood Glucose; Body Weight; Bone Resorption; Calcium; Cryptoxanthins; Diabetes Complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Femur; Male; Phosphates; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Triglycerides; Xanthophylls

The present study was designed to investigate the chemopreventive effects of combined vanadium (V; 0.5 p.p.m.) and beta-carotene (BC; 120 mg/kg of basal diet) on diethylnitrosoamine (DEN)-induced and phenobarbital (PB)-promoted rat hepatocarcinogenesis.. All rats were subjected to two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PH) at the fourth week. After PH they were administered either trioctanoin alone (groups A', B', C' and D') or a single injection of DEN in trioctanoin at a dose of 10 mg/kg of body weight (groups A, B, C and D). Two weeks after the DEN treatment PB was administered (0.05% in basal diet) to all the DEN-treated rats and continued until the end of the experiment. Supplementation of V (groups B and B'), BC (groups C and C') or both V and BC (groups D and D') at the doses stated previously were started 4 weeks before DEN administration (at week 0) and continued until the 16th week.. It was observed that in the DEN-treated and PB-promoted group (group A) the expression of the numbers and areas of the placental form of glutathione S-transferase (GST-P)-positive altered hepatic foci (AHF) was maximum. Treatment with V (group B) and BC (group C) significantly reduced the expression of GST-P-positive AHF by 29.5% and 42.8%, respectively. An additive protection action (65.7%) was noticed in group D, which received both V and BC for the entire period of the experiment. It was also observed that supplementation of V and BC for the entire period of the experiment significantly reduced the number and size of the hyperplastic nodules, while the combination treatment worked as an additive effect, reducing the number and size of the hyperplastic nodules to 22% from 89%. Moreover, a significantly reduced level of cytosolic glutathione (P < 0.001) and glutathione-S-transferase (P < 0.001) activity and stabilization of aerobic metabolism and hepatic architecture of the cells as compared with carcinogen control were observed in the V + BC-treated group.. The present study suggests that V, an essential trace element, may be useful in combination with BC, an antioxidant, in the inhibition of experimentally induced rat hepatocarcinogenesis.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Cytosol; Diethylnitrosamine; Drug Synergism; Female; Glutathione; Glutathione Transferase; Liver; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental; Male; Mitochondria, Liver; Organ Size; Oxygen Consumption; Placenta; Pregnancy; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Vanadium

Role of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), beta-carotene and/or their combination as antioxidants against the toxicity of fenvalerate on blood hematology, free radicals, biochemical parameters, and semen quality were studied in male rats. Fenvalerate (20 mg/kg BW), vitamin E (100 mg/kg BW), beta-carotene (10 mg/kg BW), and vitamin E plus beta-carotene (100 + 10 mg/kg BW, respectively) were given alone or in combination with fenvalerate. The tested doses were given to rats every other day for 30 days. Results obtained showed that fenvalerate significantly (P < 0.05) induced free radicals in plasma and brain and insignificantly in liver and testes. While, vitamin E, beta-carotene alone and/or in combination decreased the levels of free radicals in plasma, liver, testes, and brain. The activities of glutathione S-transferase (liver), alkaline phosphatase (plasma and liver), aspartate aminotransferase (plasma, liver, and testes) and alanine aminotransferase (plasma and liver) were significantly (P < 0.05) increased due to fenvalerate administration. The activity of acetylcholinesterase was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in brain and plasma, while plasma glucose, urea, creatinine, and bilirubin concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in rats treated with fenvalerate. Also, results showed a significant (P < 0.05) alterations in plasma proteins, hematological parameters, body weight, and relative weights of organs. Sperm concentration and motility (%) were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased, while dead and abnormal sperm increased in rats exposed to fenvalerate. Vitamin E, beta-carotene alone and/or in combination did not cause any changes in the investigated parameters, but improved semen quality and minimized the toxic effect of fenvalerate. The obtained results demonstrated the beneficial influences of vitamin E, beta-carotene alone and/or in combination in reducing the harmful effects of fenvalerate.

Topics: Alanine Transaminase; Alkaline Phosphatase; alpha-Tocopherol; Animals; Aspartate Aminotransferases; beta Carotene; Blood Chemical Analysis; Body Weight; Brain; Drug Interactions; Free Radicals; Glutathione Transferase; Insecticides; Liver; Male; Nitriles; Oxidative Stress; Pyrethrins; Rats; Semen; Testis

A considerable amount of clinical and experimental evidence now exists suggesting that many biochemical pathways strictly associated with diabetes increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, daily moderate exercise and vitamins C and E (VCE) supplementation can be beneficial to diabetes due to reducing blood glucose and free radical production. In the present study, we investigated the effect of VCE and moderate exercise on lipid peroxidation (MDA) and scavenging enzyme activity in the blood of STZ-induced diabetic pregnant rats. Fifty female Wistar rats were used and were randomly divided into five groups. The first and second were used as the control and pregnant control groups, respectively. The third group was the pregnant diabetic group. The fourth group was the diabetic-pregnant-exercise group. VCE-supplemented feed was given to pregnant-diabetic-exercise rats constituting the fifth group. Animals in the exercised groups were moderately exercised daily on a treadmill (16.1 m/min, 45 min/d) for three weeks (five days a week). Diabetes was induced on day zero of the study. Body weights in the five groups were recorded weekly. Plasma and red blood cell (RBC) samples were taken from all animals on day 20. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in plasma and RBCs, glucose, vitamins A, E and beta-carotene in plasma, the number of fetuses, and body weight were lower in pregnant diabetic rats than in control animals, whereas there was a significant increase in platelet counts and plasma and RBC MDA levels. The decreased antioxidant enzymes did not improve through exercise only. However, the decreased vitamins, and increased MDA, glucose levels and white blood cell (WBC) counts were improved either by exercise or exercise plus VCE supplementation. There were no significant changes in the RBC counts and hemoglobin values in the five groups. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that there is an increase in MDA in the blood of diabetic pregnant animals, whereas there is a decrease in the number of fetuses, antioxidant vitamins and enzymes. However, dietary VCE with moderate exercise may strengthen the antioxidant defense system due to reducing ROS. They may play a role in preventing diabetes-related diseases of pregnant subjects.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Blood; Blood Cell Count; Blood Glucose; Body Weight; Catalase; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Dietary Supplements; Erythrocytes; Female; Glutathione; Glutathione Peroxidase; Lipid Peroxidation; Litter Size; Malondialdehyde; Oxidative Stress; Physical Conditioning, Animal; Pregnancy; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Vitamin A; Vitamin E

Chronic alcohol consumption is directly related to the induction of liver damage. The continuous use of ethanol induces the isoenzyme cytochrome P450CYP2E1, which promotes the formation of free radicals, resulting in lipid peroxidation. Among the main antioxidants are vitamin E, reduced glutathione (GSH), vitamin C, and beta-carotene. beta-Carotene has antioxidant activity per se, with a probable protective effect against different types of cancer. However, some studies have shown an increased number of cancer cells when beta-carotene is administered in the presence of chronic ethanol ingestion. On this basis, the objective of the present study was to assess the effect of beta-carotene supplementation on rats chronically treated with a hydroalcoholic solution by determining the levels of vitamin E, beta-carotene, GSH, and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS). Both the plasma and liver concentrations of beta-carotene were higher in the supplemented groups. Plasma vitamin E levels were decreased in the control group and liver vitamin E levels were significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in all groups compared to basal levels. GSH levels were increased over basal values in the group supplemented with beta-carotene for 14 days. TBARS values were increased as much as four-fold in the control group at 14 days, and declined again at 28 days, whereas they were increased in the supplemented group, with the increase remaining until the end of the experiment. The study indicates that beta-carotene had no beneficial effect as an antioxidant on rats submitted to chronic alcohol intake, and could be act as prooxidant when administered with ethanol.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1; Drug Administration Schedule; Eating; Ethanol; Glutathione; Liver; Liver Neoplasms; Male; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; Time Factors; Vitamin E

We investigated the concentrations of beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, and retinol in obese children, together with assessment of the influence of relative body weight and plasma lipids. A lower plasma beta-carotene level was observed in the obese children, and plasma beta-carotene was inversely correlated with the relative body weight, but not with plasma total lipids. In contrast, the plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration was correlated with plasma total lipids, but not with the severity of obesity. Both the beta-carotene/plasma total lipids ratio and the alpha-tocopherol/plasma total lipids ratio were decreased in hyperlipidemic children, while there was a slight increase of the plasma retinol concentration. There was a marked elevation of the plasma beta-carotene concentration and a reduction of the alpha-tocopherol concentration corresponding to the changes of plasma lipids with diet and exercise. We conclude that different kinetics of the fat-soluble vitamins such as beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol exists during dieting and exercise in obese children.

Topics: Adolescent; alpha-Tocopherol; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Child; Diet, Reducing; Exercise; Female; Humans; Hyperlipidemias; Lipids; Male; Nutritional Status; Obesity; Vitamin A; Weight Loss

Male albino rats (Charles Foster, n = 40) were fed a synthetic diet deficient in vitamin A for 4 weeks. Six rats died during the depletion period. Of the 34 surviving, 5 rats were continued on the vitamin A deficient diet for 4 more weeks and 24 were repleted with vitamin A (4000 IU/kg diet) in the form of vitamin A acetate (group A, n = 8), fresh drumstick leaves (group B, n = 8) or dehydrated drumstick leaves (group C, n = 8) for 4 weeks. The remaining 10 rats were continued on the vitamin A adequate diet for 4 (n = 5) and 8 weeks, respectively (n = 5). A marked reduction in food intake, body weight, accompanied by clinical signs of vitamin A deficiency and a decline in serum vitamin A (29.2 to 19.1 microg/dL) and liver vitamin A (3.7 to 2.0 microg/dL) were seen at the end of 4 weeks of feeding a vitamin A deficient diet. On repletion significant improvements in clinical signs, food intake and body weights were noted in the three groups compared to the baseline (n = 5) and at the end of 4 weeks of depletion. The gain in body weight was highest for the group repleted with dehydrated drumstick leaves. Among the repleted groups, the serum vitamin A was highest for group A (34.7 microg/dL) given synthetic vitamin A, compared to group B (25.8 microg/dL) and group C (28.2 microg/dL) given drumstick leaves. All these were significantly higher than the serum vitamin A values seen at the end of 4 weeks of depletion (19.1 microg/dL). A significant improvement was also observed in the liver retinol levels on repletion for 4 weeks in the three groups, compared to the vitamin A depleted rats. These results imply that beta-carotene from drumstick leaves was effective in overcoming vitamin A deficiency although serum vitamin A levels remained somewhat lower compared to the group repleted with vitamin A acetate. In terms of growth parameters, the fresh and dehydrated drumstick leaves were better than the synthetic vitamin A. It is therefore concluded that in the developing countries like India, sources of vitamin A such as drumstick leaves are valuable in overcoming the problem of vitamin A deficiency.

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Biological Availability; Body Weight; Eating; Food Handling; Liver; Male; Models, Animal; Phytotherapy; Plant Leaves; Rats; Time Factors; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Dietary antioxidant vitamins and retinol have been proposed to be protective against breast cancer on the basis of their ability to reduce oxidative DNA damage and their role in cell differentiation. Epidemiologic studies have not been convincing in supporting this hypothesis, but women with high exposure to free radicals and oxidative processes have not been specifically considered. We explored these issues in the Swedish Mammography Screening Cohort, a large population-based prospective cohort study in Sweden that comprised 59,036 women, 40-76 years of age, who were free of cancer at baseline and who had answered a validated 67-item food frequency questionnaire. During 508,267 person-years of follow-up, 1,271 cases of invasive breast cancer were diagnosed. Cox proportional hazards models were used to obtain hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). There was no overall association between intake of ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, retinol or vitamin E and breast cancer incidence. High intake of ascorbic acid was inversely related to breast cancer incidence among overweight women (HR=0.61; 95% CI 0.45-0.82, for highest quintile of intake among women with body mass index>25 kg/m(2)) and women with high consumption of linoleic acid (HR=0.72; 95% CI 0.52-1.02, for highest quintile of ascorbic acid intake and average consumption of more than 6 grams of linoleic acid per day). Among women with a body mass index of 25 or below, the hazard ratio for breast cancer incidence was 1.27 (95% CI 0.99-1.63), comparing the highest to the lowest quintile of ascorbic acid intake. Consumption of foods high in ascorbic acid may convey protection from breast cancer among women who are overweight and/or have a high intake of linoleic acid.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Breast Neoplasms; Cell Differentiation; Cohort Studies; Diet; DNA Damage; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Linoleic Acid; Mammography; Middle Aged; Oxygen; Proportional Hazards Models; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sweden; Vitamin A; Vitamin E

1. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of dietary spirulina on growth performance and pigmentation in the muscle of growing broiler chickens and to examine the possibility that zeaxanthin in spirulina may affect yellow colour development in the meat. 2. Twenty-four, 21-d-old, male broiler chicks were fed an experimental diet containing spirulina at 0, 40, or 80 g/ kg for 16 d. No significant differences among treatments were observed in body weights, nor weights or yields (as a percentage of body weight) for any of the selected traits, including liver, abdominal fat, kidney and Pectoralis profundus. 3. Spectrocolourimetric analyses revealed that the redness of Pectoralis superficialis, profundus and Sartorius muscles reached a maximum in chicks fed the 40 g/kg spirulina diet, while the yellowness of all fillets, including the Semitendinosus muscle, increased in a sub-linear fashion with increased spirulina in the diet. The overall correlation between the yellowness and zeaxanthin content in the Pectoralis muscle was significant. 4. This study provides the first conclusive evidence that dietary spirulina influences both the yellowness and redness of broiler flesh and that the increments in yellowness with dietary spirulina content may possibly be reflected in the common yellow pigment related to the accumulation of zeaxanthin within the flesh.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; Bacterial Proteins; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Chickens; Color; Cyanobacteria; Male; Meat; Muscle, Skeletal; Pigmentation; Spirulina; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

Astaxanthin is one of many carotenoids present in marine animals, vegetables and fruits. Since carotenoids are known to have antioxidant properties, we tested to determine if astaxanthin could have protective effects in the CCl4-treated rat liver by activating the antioxidant system. Astaxanthin blocked the increase of glutamate-oxalacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GTP) activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in response to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), while causing an increase in glutathione (GSH) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in the CCl4-treated rat liver. These results suggest that astaxanthin protects liver damage induced by CCl4 by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and stimulating the cellular antioxidant system.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carbon Tetrachloride Poisoning; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Glutathione Reductase; Lipid Peroxidation; Liver; Male; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Superoxide Dismutase; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; Xanthophylls

To explore the relationships between biochemical indicators of vitamin A and iron status and the intestinal helminths Ascaris lumbricoides and hookworm in primary school children.. Two rural governmental schools in northwestern Bangladesh.. Cross-sectional study.. The sample consisted of 164 children in grades 3-5.. Serum retinol and beta-carotene (by high-performance liquid chromatography, HPLC), haemoglobin (HemoCue), ferritin (enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay, ELIZA) and height and weight were measured. Dietary intake of vitamin A was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and faecal analyses were done using Stoll's egg-count technique.. The mean serum retinol was 26.8 microg dl(-1) and 20% had a level of < 20 microg dl(-1), the cut-off value for low vitamin A status. There was a strong positive association between serum beta-carotene and serum retinol (r = 0.44, P < 0.001), suggesting those with higher retinol levels had a higher carotene intake. Thirty-one per cent were anaemic (Hb < 11.5 g dl(-1)), 30% had iron deficiency (serum ferritin < 12.0 microg l(-1)) and 14% were suffering from iron deficiency anaemia. Children with a serum retinol level of 20 microg dl(-1) had significantly lower ferritin (14.0 compared to 26.0 microg l(-1), P = 0.005) and Hb levels (11.7 compared to 12.4 g dl(-1), P = 0.005) than those with higher levels. The proportion of iron deficiency anaemia was significantly greater among children with hookworm. Our data suggest that hookworm exerts its impact on iron status independently of the vitamin A status of the host.. Programmes to improve iron status should consider including both vitamin A prevention programmes and deworming.

Topics: Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Animals; Ascariasis; Ascaris lumbricoides; Bangladesh; beta Carotene; Body Height; Body Weight; Child; Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Feces; Female; Ferritins; Hemoglobins; Hookworm Infections; Humans; Male; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Malnutrition is observed frequently in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Knowledge of the nutritional status in patients with recently diagnosed IBD is limited. The aim of this study was to establish a comprehensive picture of the nutritional status in recently diagnosed IBD patients.. Sixty-nine IBD patients (23 Crohn's disease (CD) and 46 with ulcerative colitis (UC)) within 6 months of diagnosis and 69 age- and sex-matched population controls were included in the study.. The nutritional status was assessed by: (1) body composition (anthropometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry); (2) dietary intake (dietary history); (3) biochemical indexes of nutrition; and (4) muscle strength (isokinetic dynamometer).. Body weight and body mass index were significantly lower in UC patients compared with controls. The mean daily intake of carbohydrates was significantly higher in CD patients and the intakes of protein, calcium, phosphorus, and riboflavin were significantly lower in UC patients compared with controls, respectively. Serum concentrations of several nutrients (beta-carotene, magnesium, selenium and zinc) were significantly lower in UC patients compared with controls. Serum vitamin B12 concentration was significantly lower in CD patients. Muscle strength did not significantly differ between IBD patients and controls.. This study showed that the nutritional status of IBD patients was already affected negatively at time of diagnosis. It needs to be elucidated whether nutritional supplementation in recently diagnosed IBD patients may improve the clinical course of the disease.

Topics: Adult; beta Carotene; Body Composition; Body Mass Index; Body Weight; Calcium, Dietary; Colitis, Ulcerative; Crohn Disease; Diet; Dietary Carbohydrates; Dietary Proteins; Female; Humans; Male; Minerals; Muscle, Skeletal; Nutritional Status; Phosphorus, Dietary; Riboflavin; Vitamin B 12

Although lipid oxidation plays a major role in atherogenesis, the role of antioxidants in the prevention and treatment of the process is not clear. Apolipoprotein (apo) E-deficient mice develop spontaneous atherosclerotic lesions in major arteries. The presence of oxidized lipoprotein epitopes in the lesion suggests that oxidation reactions are involved in atherogenesis in this mouse model, but the inhibitory effect of antioxidants on atherogenesis in the model is controversial. To test the effect of dietary antioxidants on atherogenesis, male apoE-deficient mice (n=15) were fed a standard chow diet supplemented with 0.05% alpha-tocopherol and 0.05% all-trans beta-carotene. A control group (n=15) received no antioxidant supplement. At the end of the trial, mice consuming vitamins had 5x more plasma vitamin E but undetectable beta-carotene levels. However, liver levels of the beta-carotene metabolite, retinyl palmitate, were higher in antioxidant-treated mice compared with control mice. The antioxidants had no effect on lipoprotein or on plasma anti-oxidatively modified low density lipoproteins (anti-oxLDL) antibody levels. The vitamins had a small but insignificant effect on lipoprotein resistance to ex vivo oxidation, determined by a longer lag period of conjugated diene formation. Atherosclerosis, determined by the lesion size at the aortic sinus, was insignificantly suppressed in antioxidant-treated mice (mean area+/-SE, 20 000+/-7129 versus 13 281+/-5861 micrometer(2); P=0.40). The aortic atherosclerotic lesion area was similar in both experimental groups (2.55+/-0.65% and 2.08+/-0.5% of total aortic area in the control and antioxidant group, respectively; P=0.58). The results of the current study suggest that moderate levels of synthetic antioxidant vitamins have no effect on atherogenesis in apoE-deficient mice.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Apolipoproteins E; Arteriosclerosis; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Cholesterol; Lipoproteins; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Oxidation-Reduction; Vitamin E

A 13-week oral repeated dose toxicity study of haematococcus color, a food additive mainly composed of astaxanthin, was conducted in male and female F344 rats. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups each consisting of 10 males and 10 females and given CRF-1 powder diet containing 0%, 0.025%, 0.075%, and 0.25% haematococcus color, correspond to 0%, 0.5%, 1.5%, and 5% as the product. None of the animals died during the administration period. There were no exposure-related changes in body weight gain or food consumptions. Serum biochemical examinations showed dose-related increase in cholesterol, but the differences were slight and not defined as an adverse effect. No effects related to treatment were noted in hematological examinations and organ weights, and no abnormalities that could be ascribed to exposure to heamatococcus color were observed in histopathological examinations. In conclusion, ingestion of haematococcus color in the diet for 13 weeks does not cause any toxicological changes in F344 rats.

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Blood; Body Weight; Eating; Female; Food Coloring Agents; Male; Organ Size; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Time Factors; Xanthophylls

Even though lutein can stimulate immunity and decrease cancer growth, no systematic studies are available on the uptake of lutein in mice. We studied the uptake of lutein in 8-wk-old female BALB/c mice fed a diet containing 0, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 or 0.4% lutein. Mice were killed on d 0, 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 (n = 6/period), and blood, spleen and liver were collected. Food intake and body, liver and spleen weights did not differ among treatment groups. Lutein + zeaxanthin were not detectable in the plasma, liver and spleen of unsupplemented mice. Mice fed lutein showed very rapid lutein + zeaxanthin absorption. On d 3, concentrations of plasma lutein + zeaxanthin had rapidly increased (P < 0.05) in lutein-fed mice and no further increases were observed. Plasma lutein + zeaxanthin concentrations did not differ among lutein-fed mice by d 7 (2.58 +/- 0.2 micromol/L). Even though maximal uptake of plasma lutein + zeaxanthin was observed by d 3, uptake of lutein + zeaxanthin by the liver and especially by the spleen generally continued to increase (P < 0.05) through d 28 to reach concentrations of 0.11 +/- 0.001 (spleen) and 0.71 +/- 0. 0002 (liver) nmol/g. Therefore, dietary lutein is readily absorbed into the plasma and taken up by liver and spleen of mice. Plasma lutein + zeaxanthin concentrations were higher than in human studies; however, mice were fed lutein at a level several hundredfold greater than in humans. The liver is a major storage organ for lutein + zeaxanthin in mice. Uptake of lutein + zeaxanthin by the spleen suggests a role for lutein in modulating immunity.

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Diet; Female; Intestinal Absorption; Liver; Lutein; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Plant Extracts; Spleen; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

The comparative effects of malaria and malnutrition on plasma antioxidant vitamins were studied in 65 children aged 8-96 months. Forty-six (71%) of them had malaria; nineteen (29%) served as controls. Patients and controls were further subdivided into two groups depending on whether they were malnourished or well nourished, as defined by weight-for-age Z score (WAZ) +/- -2. Plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene and retinol were measured. Results indicate that malaria was associated with levels of antioxidants lower than in the controls. Two-way analysis of variance shows that for all three plasma micronutrients concentrations were lower in those children infected with malaria but were not influenced by malnutrition. There were an equal number of malnourished children in both malaria and non-malaria groups; nevertheless, WAZ tended to be lower in those with malaria (p = 0.056), although this did not quite reach significance. It is concluded that in areas where malaria and malnutrition co-exist, malaria alone exerts a greater influence on plasma antioxidants than does malnutrition.

Topics: Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Malaria; Nigeria; Nutrition Disorders; Vitamin A; Vitamin E

Ultraviolet (UV)-induced immunosuppression is a critical step in UV carcinogenesis, permitting tumour outgrowth. We investigated the effect of dietary beta-carotene on UV suppression of contact hypersensitivity (CHS) to trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB) in BALB/c mice. Mice were fed for 10-16 weeks chow alone or supplemented with 1% beta-carotene or placebo as beadlets. Serum beta-carotene was detectable by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis only in beta-carotene-fed mice (2.06 +/- 0.15 micrograms/ml). Serum retinol was 0.22-0.27 micrograms/ml in all three groups. Mice (n = 41/dietary group) were irradiated with 0, 4.5, 9 or 18 kJ/m2 of UVB and the CHS response was measured. Decreased CHS responses were observed in all UV-irradiated groups compared with unirradiated controls. UV dose-responses for suppression of CHS derived by first-order regression analyses of plots of percentage suppression of CHS as a function of log10UV dose showed significant slopes (P < 0.02) for all three dietary groups and similar residual variances between groups, P > 0.05. The UV dose for 50% suppression of CHS was 6.3 kJ/m2 for control, 6.4 kJ/m2 for placebo, and 5.5 kJ/m2 for beta-carotene-fed mice. No significant differences in slopes or elevations between UV dose-responses were observed, P > 0.05. Skin levels of the initiator of UV-induced immunosuppression, cis urocanic acid, were determined by HPLC in mice given 0 or 9 kJ/m2 of UV (n = 28/dietary group). No significant differences were observed between dietary groups (range 35.2-41.1 ng/mg skin, P > 0.15) We conclude feeding beta-carotene to BALB/c mice does not alter susceptibility to UV immune suppression, in contrast to human studies.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Dermatitis, Contact; Diet; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Female; Immunosuppression Therapy; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Stereoisomerism; Ultraviolet Rays; Urocanic Acid; Vitamin A

The effects of vitamins E and E, beta-carotene and selenium on development of N-nitrosobis(2-oxopropyl)amine (BOP)-induced pancreatic tumours in hamsters were investigated. Dietary supplementation of vitamin C, alone as well as in combination with beta-carotene resulted in consistently lower numbers of advanced ductular lesions. The differences with the controls, however, did not reach the level of statistical significance. Beta-Carotene alone demonstrated no inhibitory effect on the development of (pre)neoplastic lesions in the pancreas. Vitamin E or Se, either alone or in combination, had no effect on the development of advanced ductular lesions in BOP-treated hamsters.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carcinogens; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast; Carotenoids; Cricetinae; Diet; Male; Mesocricetus; Nitrosamines; Organ Size; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Selenium; Vitamin E

In the present study the effects of 0.1 or 1.0 g beta-carotene/kg diet (L beta C or H beta C) and 1.0 mg or 2.5 mg selenium/kg diet (LSel or HSel), as well as combinations of the respective low and high concentrations of beta-carotene and selenium (LMix or HMix) on the initiation/early promotion phase or on the late promotion phase of pancreatic carcinogenesis in azaserine-treated rats, were investigated using cell proliferation and volumetric data of atypical acinar cell foci (AACF) as parameters. The present results indicate chemopreventive effects of dietary selenium, dietary beta-carotene and of their combination on the development of acinar pancreatic lesions induced in rats by azaserine. The inhibitory effect was most pronounced when beta-carotene and/or selenium were added to the diets during the late promotion phase of the carcinogenic process, although inhibition was also observed with these compounds when they were added to the diets during the first 5 weeks of the study only (initiation/early promotion phase). Neither in the initiation/early promotion phase nor in the late promotion phase was a dose-related trend observed. The multiplicities of AACF with a diameter over 1.0 mm and of carcinomas in situ (CIS), as well as the incidence of CIS were not significantly different among the groups. However, in the late promotion experiment a dose-related decline in multiplicity could be observed in the selenium supplemented groups and in the groups receiving combinations of beta-carotene and selenium. Cell proliferation in azaserine-induced AACF, as estimated by the bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling index, was significantly higher in H beta C, HSel, LMix and HMix groups (initiation/early promotion phase) as well as in H beta C, LSel, HSel, LMix and HMix groups (late promotion phase) than in high fat controls. From the present results it can be concluded that: (i) beta-carotene and selenium have inhibitory effects on pancreatic carcinogenesis induced in rats by azaserine; (ii) the most clear effects were observed when selenium was given as such, or in combination with beta-carotene during the late promotion phase; and (iii) beta-carotene and selenium stimulate cell proliferation in AACF.

Topics: Analysis of Variance; Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Azaserine; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carcinogens; Carotenoids; Diet; Feeding Behavior; Female; Organ Size; Pancreas; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Precancerous Conditions; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Selenium

1. The catalytic activities of several phase I and II xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes and their immunochemical detection have been investigated in liver microsomes and cytosol of the male rat, which had been fed for 15 days with diets containing 300 mg/kg beta-carotene isomers (all-trans beta-carotene or beta-carotene from Dunaliella salina rich in 9-cis isomer or isomerized beta-carotene), or apocarotenoids as beta-apo-8'-carotenal, ethyl beta-apo-8'-carotenoate and citranaxanthin. 2. Beta-carotene, either all-trans or containing cis isomers, did not induce any significant change in the measured activities. By contrast, beta-apo-8'-carotenal increased the liver content of cytochrome P450, the activity of NADH- and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase, and strongly increased some cytochrome P450-dependent activities, particularly ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (x158), methoxyresorufin O-demethylase (x22), pentoxy- and benzoxyresorufin O-dealkylases, but did not affect erythromycin N-demethylase nor nitrosodimethylamine N-demethylase activities. Phase II p-nitrophenol- and 4-hydroxy- biphenyl-uridine diphosphoglucuronosyl transferase activities were also increased by beta-apo-8'carotenal. Western blots of microsomal proteins clearly showed the induction of CYP1A1 and 1A2 by beta-apo-8'-carotenal. This induction profile resembles that produced by two other carotenoids: canthaxanthin and astaxanthin. Ethyl beta-apo-8'-carotenoate and citranaxanthin showed similar effects to beta-apo-8'-carotenal but of less intensity. 3. Three carotenoids: beta-apo-8'-carotenal, canthaxanthin and astaxanthin, are inducers of CYP1A1 and 1A2 in the rat. These carotenoids form a new class of inducers of CYP1A, structurally very different from the classical inducers as 3-methylcholanthrene, beta-naphtoflavone or dioxin.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Canthaxanthin; Carotenoids; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2; Eating; Enzyme Induction; Liver; Male; Methylcholanthrene; Microsomes, Liver; NADPH-Ferrihemoprotein Reductase; Rats; Rats, Wistar

We studied the effect of supplementation with vitamins C, E and beta-carotene (PARABION, produced by Syndipharma) on antioxidative status in kidneys of male Wistar rats with diabetes induced by intravenous application of streptozotocin (45 mg.kg-1 of body weight). The animals received subtherapeutic doses of Insulin Interdep (6 U.kg-1 of body weight). A significant decrease of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione and reduction of the activities of Se-glutathione peroxidase (Se-GSH-PX, EC. 1.11.1.9.) and glutathione S-transferase (GST, EC. 2.5.1.18.) were observed in kidneys of diabetic rats treated with these vitamins. On the contrary, the activity of CuZn-superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD, EC. 1.15.1.1) and the level of vitamin C (vit. C) increased significantly. No changes were observed for vitamin E (vit. E), beta-carotene and catalase (CAT, EC. 1.11.1.6). Supplementation with vitamins C, E and beta-carotene resulted in an improvement of antioxidative status of kidneys of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Glutathione; Kidney; Male; Malondialdehyde; Organ Size; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Vitamin E

The influence of palm oil carotene treatment on X-ray-induced chromosomal damage in bone marrow cells of mice was studied. Palm oil carotene contains alpha- and beta-carotene in a ratio of 1:3. Mice were fed either a basal diet or carotene diet containing 50 mg of palm oil carotene/100 g for 15 days. On day 13, mice to be X-ray-irradiated received 0.5 Gy of X-ray to their whole bodies, and the chromosomal damage in bone marrow cells was evaluated in terms of the percentages of micronucleated reticulocytes in their peripheral blood on day 15. The chromosomal damage in the X-ray irradiated mice was 10 times higher than that in the unirradiated mice. The feeding of the carotene diet did not prevent the X-ray-induced chromosomal damage. In the bone marrow cells of mice fed the carotene diet, alpha- and beta-carotene were detected, but the concentration of the carotenes was less than one-hundredth of that of vitamin E. In addition, the feeding of carotene diet markedly reduced the concentration of vitamin E in bone marrow cells and serum. The X-ray irradiation reduced the concentration of vitamin C in the bone marrow cells, but did not reduce that of vitamin E or carotene in the cells.

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Bone Marrow; Bone Marrow Cells; Carotenoids; Cell Nucleus; Chromosomes; DNA; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Palm Oil; Plant Oils; Vitamin E

We assessed the effects of excess dietary vitamin A or beta-carotene on the cellular retinol-binding protein, type II [CRBP(II)] level and activities of lecithin: retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) and acyl-CoA:retinol acyltransferase (ARAT) in rat intestine. Male rats were fed for 7 d diets containing amounts of retinyl acetate or beta-carotene that were 1 (control), 10, 100 and 1000 times the NRC recommended requirement. No responses of the jejunal CRBP(II) level to an intake of excess vitamin A or beta-carotene were observed. The unesterified retinol and retinyl palmitate concentrations in the jejunum were small in rats fed 10 times the vitamin A requirement but they were significantly greater in rats fed 100 and 1000 times the vitamin A requirement than in controls. The molar ratio of unesterified retinol/CRBP(II) was < 1 for the controls and the group fed 10 times the vitamin A requirement, but > 3 for the group fed 100 times the requirement and > 19 for the group fed 1000 times the requirement. The LRAT activity was significantly greater in rats fed 1000 times the vitamin A requirement compared with all other groups, but ARAT activity was unaffected. Consumption of excess beta-carotene did not alter LRAT or ARAT activity, and led to a very small deposition of unesterified retinol and retinyl palmitate in the jejunum. Because CRBP(II) may play an important role in preventing the toxic effect of unbound retinol in the small intestine, consumption of excess vitamin A in amounts < 10 times the NRC recommended requirement may not cause a disturbance of the absorptive cell function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Acyltransferases; Administration, Oral; Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Jejunum; Male; Microsomes; Organ Size; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Retinol-Binding Proteins; Retinol-Binding Proteins, Cellular; Vitamin A

The typical high-fat, low-fiber American diet promotes colon cancer. An alternative to radical changes in dietary habits is to reinforce the diet with cancer protectors. Experiments to evaluate the effects of beta-carotene in the presence of high fat and low and high dietary levels of wheat bran fiber were designed using the Fischer-344 rat colon cancer model. Rats (20/group), were given either high fat (20% w/w), low wheat bran, fiber (1% w/w) diets, or high fat (20% w/w) high wheat bran fiber (8% w/w) diets, with different levels of beta-carotene. After 2 weeks of adaptation, half were given two weekly s.c. injections of azoxymethane (AOM, 15 mg/kg body wt); and half two weekly s.c. injections of saline. Six weeks later, five rats from each dietary group were killed to evaluate the comparative effect of different dietary regimens on the induction of colon aberrant crypt foci (ACF). The remaining rats were maintained on their respective diets for an additional 20 weeks to examine the effect on colon tumor incidence. The total number of ACF/rat in the low-fiber groups declined from 44.0 +/- 4.18 to 12.8 +/- 1.95 in response to increasing amounts of beta-carotene from 1 to 20 mg/kg diet. A similar progressive reduction in total ACF/rat was also seen in the high-fiber groups (20.8 +/- 2.92 to 9.2 +/- 0.58). ACF did not develop in the saline-exposed groups. Similarly colon tumor incidence declined from 73% to 20% in high-fiber groups and from 27% to 13% in low-fiber groups in response to increasing amounts beta-carotene from 1 to 20 mg/kg diet. The results showed that beta-carotene and wheat bran, individually and when combined, protected the colon in rats consuming high-fat, western-style diets from ACF and benign or malignant tumor formation.

Topics: Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Azoxymethane; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Cocarcinogenesis; Colonic Neoplasms; Dietary Fats; Dietary Fiber; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Male; Precancerous Conditions; Rats; Rats, Inbred F344; Triticum

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a diet containing either 0.005% beta-carotene, 0.02% sodium ascorbate or 1.5% cellulose for 14 weeks. Beginning on day 3, all animals were also given weekly subcutaneous injections of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH; 20 mg/kg body wt.) throughout a 12-week period. The experimental diet was continued for an additional 14 weeks. At the end of the 26th week, surviving animals were sacrificed and the incidence of intestinal carcinomas was examined. A significantly lower incidence of carcinomas was observed in the beta-carotene-fed group (55.0%), compared with that in the control group given DMH (82.1%).

Topics: 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine; Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Cellulose; Dimethylhydrazines; Intestinal Neoplasms; Male; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Various epidemiological and experimental studies have indicated that beta-carotene and vitamin E protect against a variety of cancers. This investigation determined whether a synergistic protective effect could be observed against chemically induced skin tumorigenesis in Skh mice by combining these two antioxidants in the diet. Forty-five mice were used in each of four diet groups. Control animals were fed standard mouse chow. Three other groups received the chow supplemented with one of the following: 0.5% beta-carotene, 0.12% vitamin E (added as d-alpha-tocopheryl succinate), or 0.5% beta-carotene + 0.12% vitamin E. Mice were topically treated with a single application of the initiator 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and promoted with multiple applications of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate. Mice were observed for tumors each week for 27 weeks after initiation. The protective effect of each diet was determined by the decrease in the number of skin tumors in supplemented diet groups compared with that of the control diet group. Decreases in the number of cumulative tumors at Week 27 were 32% for beta-carotene-, 25% for vitamin E-, and 21% for beta-carotene+vitamin E-supplemented diet groups. However, differences in the number of tumors among the three groups supplemented with beta-carotene and/or vitamin E were not statistically significant. Thus, although protection was provided by the individual supplements, there was no synergistic effect for a decrease in the number of chemically induced skin tumors by the simultaneous dietary administration of beta-carotene and vitamin E.

Topics: 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Female; Food, Fortified; Mice; Mice, Hairless; Prospective Studies; Skin Neoplasms; Trace Elements; Vitamin E

Because a yellow color has been observed in the fat pads of Mongolian gerbils fed a nonpurified diet, we designed the current study to determine whether adult male gerbils would absorb beta-carotene intact from a test meal. Thirty-five gerbils (80-90 g) were adapted to the laboratory and fed a standard purified diet free of beta-carotene for 16-19 d. Gerbils were then fed a test meal consisting of 279 nmol of beta-carotene as 10% water-soluble beadlets suspended in 0.5 mL of Ensure. Gerbils (n = 5) were killed at 0, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 or 72 h after the test meal, blood was obtained by cardiac puncture, and tissues were taken for beta-carotene analysis. No beta-carotene was detected in serum at 0 or 72 h, whereas beta-carotene was present at all other sampling times. Serum beta-carotene peaked at 4 h, at a level of 88 nmol/L. beta-Carotene was detected in the liver of all groups; however, the concentration increased from -34 pmol/g to a maximum concentration of 926 pmol/g at 24 h after the test meal. Other tissues also contained beta-carotene. The results demonstrate that Mongolian gerbils, like ferrets and preruminant calves, absorb beta-carotene intact when beta-carotene is provided at a physiological level in a test meal. This species may be particularly useful for evaluation of the role of antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, in LDL oxidation.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Gerbillinae; Intestinal Absorption; Liver; Male; Tissue Distribution

The chemopreventive effects of two xanthophylls, astaxanthin (AX) and canthaxanthin (CX), on urinary bladder carcinogenesis induced by N-butyl-N(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (OH-BBN) was investigated in male ICR mice. Mice were given 250 p.p.m. OH-BBN in drinking water for 20 weeks and after a 1 week interval with tap water, water containing AX or CX at a concentration of 50 p.p.m. was administered during subsequent 20 weeks. Other groups of mice were treated with AX or CX alone or untreated. At the end of the study (week 41), the incidences of preneoplastic lesions and neoplasms in the bladder of mice treated with OH-BBN and AX or CX were smaller than those of mice given OH-BBN. In particular, AX administration after OH-BBN exposure significantly reduced the incidence of bladder cancer (transitional cell carcinoma) (P < 0.003). However, the inhibition of the frequencies of such lesions in mice treated with OH-BBN and CX was not significant. Treatment with AX or CX also decreased the number/nucleus of silver-stained nucleolar organizer region proteins (AgNORs), a new index of cell proliferation, in the transitional epithelium exposed to OH-BBN. Preneoplasms and neoplasms induced by OH-BBN, and the antiproliferative potential, was greater for AX than CX. These results indicate that AX is a possible chemopreventive agent for bladder carcinogenesis and such an effect of AX may be partly due to suppression of cell proliferation.

Topics: Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Butylhydroxybutylnitrosamine; Canthaxanthin; Carotenoids; Liver; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Nucleolus Organizer Region; Organ Size; Precancerous Conditions; Silver Staining; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms; Xanthophylls

The chemopreventive action of carotenoids on proteinuria and lymphadenopathy were examined in autoimmune-prone MRL-lpr/lpr (MRL/l) mice. They were fed a synthetic full-fed diet (16-18 kcal/mouse/day) with supplementation of beta-carotene or astaxanthin (0.19 mumoles/mouse, 3 times a week), and the development of lymphadenopathy and proteinuria were examined. MRL/l mice fed a full-fed diet without the supplementation of carotenoids or those fed a calorie-restricted (CR) diet (10-11 kcal/mouse/day, 60% calorie intake of full-fed mice) were employed as controls. CR dramatically delayed the development of proteinuria and lymphadenopathy, as reported previously. Carotenoids also significantly delayed the onset of these symptoms in MRL/l mice fed a full-fed diet. Carotenoids were half as effective as CR and astaxanthin, a carotenoid without provitamin A activity, which appeared to exert more significant preventive actions than beta-carotene in delaying the development of these symptoms. Similar chemopreventive actions of carotenoids were also demonstrated in MRL/l mice fed a regular diet (Lab Chow). CR has been shown to augment IL-2 production and to decrease serum prolactin levels in this strain, which may be related to its dramatic preventive action of autoimmunity. However, carotenoids did not affect IL-2 production nor prolactin levels in full-fed MRL/l mice. The chemopreventive actions of carotenoids observed in autoimmune-prone MRL/l mice may be attributed to yet unknown mechanisms, apart from their provitamin A activity or oxygen-quenching activity.

Topics: Animals; Autoimmune Diseases; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Diet, Reducing; Energy Intake; Female; Food, Fortified; Interleukin-2; Lymph Nodes; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphoproliferative Disorders; Mice; Mice, Mutant Strains; Organ Size; Prolactin; Proteinuria; T-Lymphocytes; Xanthophylls

Topics: Adipose Tissue; Adult; Aged; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation; Lipoproteins, LDL; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Infarction; Risk Factors; Smoking; Vitamin E

The inhibitory effects of beta-carotene (BC) on preneoplastic lesions induced in male Wistar rats by the resistant hepatocyte model was investigated. Rats were divided into six groups. Initiation was performed in all animals by a single injection of diethylnitrosamine. During the selection/promotion period five doses of 2-acetylaminofluorene were administered to the rats and a partial hepatectomy was performed. To three different groups BC was given by gavage throughout the experiment, before the initiation or during the selection/promotion period respectively. Three other groups served as controls and received corn oil instead of the carotenoid. At the end of the study (8 weeks), BC administration throughout the experiment reduced the incidence (P less than 0.005), multiplicity as well as the total number and size of hepatocyte nodules. Furthermore, it significantly decreased the number of foci per cm2 (P less than 0.05), the average focal area (P less than 0.01) and the percentage of liver parenchyma occupied (P less than 0.01). Similar results were observed when BC was given only before the initiation. However, the administration of the carotenoid during the selection/promotion period did not result in significant decreases of these parameters. These results suggest that the inhibitory effects of BC are primarily exerted on the initiation phase of the hepatocarcinogenic process. Nevertheless, continuous long-term exposure to the carotenoid would confer a greater degree of protection. In addition, by means of an analysis of correlation a positive relationship was found between the number of hepatocyte nodules and the hepatic concentration of BC. In contrast, an inverse relationship was observed between the number of nodules and the hepatic concentration of total vitamin A.

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Liver; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental; Male; Organ Size; Phenotype; Precancerous Conditions; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains

A study was made on the effects of long-term dietary administration of beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium, either alone or in combination, on azaserine-induced pancreatic carcinogenesis in rats. Male Wistar rats were given two i.p. injections of 30 mg azaserine per kg body weight at 19 and 26 days of age. The rats were allocated to eight groups of 40 animals each and were fed an AIN-76 diet rich in saturated fat (20% lard), either as such or after supplementation with beta-carotene, vitamin C, beta-carotene + vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, vitamin E + selenium, or the combination of all micronutrients investigated. Fifteen months after the last treatment with azaserine the survivors were killed. The pancreata were examined for the number and size of advanced putative preneoplastic lesions and the number of neoplasms as well. Rats maintained on a diet high in either beta-carotene, vitamin C or selenium developed significantly less atypical acinar cells nodules, adenomas and carcinomas as compared to controls. The number of tumour-bearing animals was significantly lower in the groups fed the diet high in beta-carotene or selenium. In animals of the group given a diet high in all micronutrients investigated, both the number and incidence of pancreatic tumours was lower than in all other groups. It was concluded that selenium, beta-carotene and vitamin C, alone as well as in combination, have an inhibitory effect on pancreatic carcinogenesis induced in rats by azaserine.

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Azaserine; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Diet; Drug Combinations; Liver; Male; Organ Size; Pancreas; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Precancerous Conditions; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Regression Analysis; Selenium; Vitamin E

In order to evaluate the role of beta-carotene as an inhibitor of skin carcinogenesis, hairless female HRA/Skh mice were treated with the initiator 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and with the promoter, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), and were fed a balanced diet free from vitamin A either with or without gavage-administered beta-carotene. There was no evidence of avitaminosis A or differences in body weight in mice deprived of beta-carotene and vitamin A, compared with those given 290 or 1430 IU beta-carotene/kg per day. Mice fed with normal animal feed pellets displayed a significantly higher body weight (28.5 +/- 1.95 g) compared with mice on the special diet (25.7 +/- 1.9 g), and also displayed a higher papilloma yield. However animals on the special diet, fed with beta-carotene from weaning, displayed significantly lower numbers of papillomas per mouse. This lower papilloma yield was evident particularly between 12-24 weeks after commencement of the study, which coincided with the period of maximum tumor yield in DMBA/TPA-treated mice. The characteristic regression of papillomas after that time points to the reversibility of many earlier papillomas, and their dependence on continued TPA administration. Evaluation of carcinomas in mice on the various dietary regimes showed there was no significant difference between any group, including those fed with beta-carotene continuously from weaning. The present results demonstrate that a sustained dietary intake of beta-carotene from 3 weeks of age partially suppressed the growth of papillomas, but did not affect the course of malignant progression in DMBA/TPA-treated HRA/Skh mice. It is evident that beta-carotene predominantly affects TPA-dependent papillomas, which possess reversible properties and have a low probability of progression to form carcinomas.

Topics: 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Diet; Female; Mice; Mice, Hairless; Papilloma; Skin Neoplasms; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

There is currently a great interest in the protective potential of beta-carotene and other micronutrients against carcinogenesis. We investigated the role of beta-carotene in modifying 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-initiated, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-promoted, two-stage skin carcinogenesis. We were interested in comparing the protective effects of two types of dietary beta-carotene, a beadlet formulation and crystalline beta-carotene, in two strains of mice (Skh:HR-1 and CR:ORL Sencar). Mice were maintained throughout the study on one of these 3% beta-carotene-fortified diets or on control diets. In Week 11 after the start of the diets, the DMBA/TPA treatment regimen was begun. The resulting skin tumors were counted weekly. In addition, serum and skin levels were monitored for beta-carotene at the time of chemical initiation and at the termination of the study. A decrease in the number of cumulative tumors in the beta-carotene-fed animals compared with the appropriate control groups was observed in both strains of mice. However, statistical evaluation of the data revealed that the decrease was significant only in Skh mice. This phenomenon might be explained by the inherent sensitivity of Sencar mice to the two-stage carcinogenesis treatment regimen. The mechanism of the protective effect found in this study is still not clear. Recent data suggest that a vitamin A pathway is not probable but that a direct 1O2 and/or radical-quenching property of the parent beta-carotene molecule may be involved. This study also demonstrates that two-stage-induced skin tumorigenesis can be modified by both types of beta-carotene-fortified diets.

Topics: 9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene; Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Diet; Female; Food, Fortified; Mice; Mice, Inbred Strains; Skin; Skin Neoplasms; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate

The subject of the study was demonstration whether and in what extent different amounts of nitrates and nitrites in the diet affect the utilization of beta-carotene by rat organism. The level of vitamin A in the liver was accepted as an indicator of this utilization in accordance with the method of combined balance studies and liver test; additionally the plasma vitamin A level was determined. Two biological experiments lasting 30 days were carried out on male Wistar rats standardized with respect to hepatic vitamin A content. The animals were given orally 30 mcg daily an oil solution of beta-carotene and diets with varying amounts of potassium nitrate (0.5; 1.0; 2.0; 4.0; 6.0%) and sodium nitrite (0.05; 0.1; 0.5; 1.0%). Nitrates and nitrites in the diets reduced the utilization of beta-carotene in a dose-dependent way. The nitrate reduced the utilization of the provitamins by from about 50% to over 60%, and the nitrite reduced it by from over 60% to about 80%. The studied compounds exerted also a negative effect on the consumption of diet and weight gain.

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Liver; Male; Nitrates; Nitrites; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Vitamin A

A tissue slice model was employed to assess the effects of dietary antioxidant supplements on lipid peroxidation. In one experiment, rats were fed diets containing, either alone or in combination, vitamin E, selenium, beta-carotene or coenzyme Q10 for 42 d, and the extent of spontaneous and induced lipid peroxidation was determined by release of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) into the medium. Vitamin E exhibited the greatest protection against lipid peroxidation in liver, heart and spleen; in kidney, selenium was most protective. Coenzyme Q10 was active against lipid peroxidation induced by tertbutyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP). In a second experiment, rats were fed diets containing varying amounts of vitamin E, selenium, beta-carotene and coenzyme Q10 for 30 d. Spontaneous lipid peroxidation in liver, kidney and heart decreased with increasing levels of dietary antioxidants. With increasing amounts of antioxidants, there was a diminution in TBARS released by liver and kidney slices incubated with t-BHP; in heart, only the highest levels of antioxidants significantly decreased production of TBARS. Inverse correlations between dietary vitamin E and TBARS, tissue vitamin E and TBARS, and tissue selenium-glutathione peroxidase and TBARS were highly significant. The procedure used here can evaluate dietary supplements that may find practical applications in decreasing the oxidant radical portion of disease processes.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Diet; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Combinations; Glutathione Peroxidase; Kidney; Lipid Peroxidation; Liver; Male; Myocardium; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Regression Analysis; Selenium; Spleen; Thiobarbiturates; Ubiquinone; Vitamin E

1. The effects of supplementary beta-carotene (BC) at 0, 1.5, 15, 150, 1500 or 15,000 mg/kg diet on performance, incidence of leg problems, tibia ash, and plasma and liver concentration of BC and retinol of poults to 4 weeks of age were studied. 2. Body weight and food intake increased with dietary BC supplementation. Incidence of leg problems was not affected but tibia ash increased with BC supplementation. Plasma and liver BC and liver retinol increased with dietary BC but plasma retinol was not affected. 3. The effects of 0, 1.5, 15 or 150 mg BC/kg in diets containing either 30 or 60 g added fat/kg and either 1.2 or 12.0 mg retinol/kg on the above properties were studied in poults to 4 weeks of age. 4. Performance was not significantly affected by dietary fat. Efficiency of utilisation of food was depressed by the higher concentration of retinol. At 3 weeks of age birds given BC had fewer leg problems and higher tibia ash values than the control birds. Liver BC and retinol and plasma BC concentration increased with dietary BC. By 4 weeks, plasma and liver BC was higher and liver retinol was lower for birds given 1.2 compared with those given 12.0 mg/kg of retinol.

Topics: Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Bone Density; Carotenoids; Dietary Fats; Liver; Male; Tibia; Turkeys; Vitamin A

Animal models demonstrate a cancer-protective effect of vitamin A. However, human epidemiologic studies correlate the intake of the precursor, beta-carotene, rather than active vitamin A, to a reduced risk for certain cancers. This suggests that beta-carotene may have cancer-protective properties independent of its vitamin A activity. In the present rat study, effects of beta-carotene or active vitamin A on carcinogen metabolizing enzyme activity were evaluated. The activity of intestinal aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH, EC 1.14.14.1) was higher in rats fed a purified diet supplemented with beta-carotene than in rats fed the control diet containing adequate vitamin A as retinyl palmitate (165 +/- 30 vs. 90 +/- 18 pmol/min x mg), P less than (0.05). Supplementing the control diet with retinyl acetate had no effect. This AHH-enhancing effect of beta-carotene on the activity of the intestinal mucosal enzyme was not seen on the hepatic enzyme, which is consistent with the nearly complete conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A prior to reaching the liver. These results demonstrate an effect of beta-carotene on carcinogen metabolism which is independent of its vitamin A activity. This may help explain human epidemiologic data, and may lead to further work which would allow for prudent dietary recommendations toward a reduction in cancer risk.

Topics: Animals; Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases; Benzopyrenes; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Diet; Male; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Vitamin A

A case-control study was conducted in Utah between 1984 and 1987 to evaluate the effects of nutrient intake on risk of developing ovarian cancer. Detailed dietary intake information was available from 85 first primary ovarian cancer cases and 492 population-based controls. Calories, fat, protein, fiber, and vitamins A and C did not appreciably alter the risk of developing ovarian cancer. However, high intake of beta-carotene appears to confer protection against ovarian cancer (odds ratio = 0.5, 95% confidence interval 0.3-1.0) after adjusting for age, number of pregnancies, and the body mass index of weight/height.

Topics: Adult; Aged; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Diet; Dietary Fats; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Income; Middle Aged; Ovarian Neoplasms; Parity; Religion; Smoking

The effect of dietary beta-carotene (BC) was investigated in models of gastric and colonic carcinogenesis. Male Wistar rats were fed a diet with 0.4% BC during weaning, then 0.2% BC throughout. Cancer in the stomach and small intestine was induced by giving 80 mg/l N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in drinking water for 52 wk, but BC failed to affect carcinogenesis under these conditions, although the incidence of gastric adenocarcinoma was reduced slightly. Neoplastic and nonneoplastic lesions in the liver, skin, and pancreas were also present to a similar extent with BC feeding and without BC. Colorectal cancer was induced by six 2 mg intrarectal infusions of MNNG per rat over a 3-wk period, with the rats held another 22 wk without an inhibitory effect by BC. Thus, 0.2% dietary BC failed to influence significantly the development of neoplasia induced by a direct-acting carcinogen in the gastrointestinal tract.

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Diet; Drinking; Eating; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms; Male; Methylnitronitrosoguanidine; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains

To assess the validity of nutrient intake estimates from a food frequency questionnaire, the authors compared estimates of intake of preformed retinol (dietary plus supplements), beta-carotene, other active carotenoids, and total vitamin A computed from questionnaire responses with serum retinoid and carotenoid concentrations. Data were obtained from 302 male and female current or former smokers, participants in a lung cancer chemoprevention trial at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, during 1985-1986. Both serum beta-carotene and serum alpha-carotene were associated, although weakly, with food frequency estimates of total vitamin A intake, dietary vitamin A, beta-carotene, other carotenoids, and total carotenoids (0.18 less than or equal to r less than or equal to 0.26). Serum retinol was associated with supplementary vitamin A intake (r = 0.16). Nondietary factors were also associated with serum nutrient concentrations--in particular, cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, and body mass index. Cigarette smoking emerged as an important modifying factor of the relation between serum beta-carotene and dietary beta-carotene (r = 0.14 for current smokers, r = 0.30 for former smokers).

Topics: Aged; Alcohol Drinking; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Diet Surveys; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Surveys; Regression Analysis; Smoking; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vitamin A

In 3 experiments with a total of 113 growing pigs, supplements of 1,000 to 9,000 IU vitamin A or 2 to 100 mg beta-carotene to vitamin A and beta-carotene free grains soyabean-meal-diets were tested. The liver samples were taken by biopsy or after slaughtering. The error of biopsy sampling was defined in preliminary experiments. The initial liver vitamin A depots were checked by slaughtering of 5 piglets of each group. The vitamin A content was analyzed by the anhydromethod or fluorometrically. In all 3 experiments, the different vitamin or provitamin intake did not influence feed intake and growth at any time. Highly significant linear relations were found between the intake of vitamin A or beta-carotene and the storage in the liver. Due to the higher relative liver weight, younger animals had a lower vitamin A concentration in this organ. Related to the tested beta-carotene dose of 2, 4, 8, 50 and 100 mg/kg feed, a vitamin A activity of 360, 320, 290, 130 and 80 micrograms retinol equivalents per mg beta-carotene was found. The conversion of beta-carotene into vitamin A decreases inversely to the beta-carotene intake. The vitamin A activity of synthetic beta-carotene which is higher than the beta-carotene analyzed in feedstuffs is discussed.

Topics: Animal Feed; Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Eating; Glycine max; Liver; Quinoxalines; Swine; Vitamin A

The modifying effect of beta-carotene on benzo[a]pyrene (BP)-induced tumors of the respiratory tract was investigated in Syrian hamsters. Groups of hamsters were fed a semisynthetic diet supplemented with either no or 56 mg/kg beta-carotene. Respiratory tract tumors were induced by intratracheal instillation of BP attached to ferric oxide. The beta-carotene and vitamin A contents of the liver were increased in the high beta-carotene group, but the serum beta-carotene levels were very low when compared with those commonly observed in humans. beta-Carotene supplementation did not affect the tumor response of the respiratory tract. Neither the incidence and severity of preneoplastic changes were influenced. However, there was a statistically significant inverse relationship between serum retinol content and the presence of respiratory tract tumors in survivors, regardless of the dietary treatment.

Topics: Animals; Benzo(a)pyrene; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Cricetinae; Energy Intake; Mesocricetus; Respiratory Tract Neoplasms

The risk of endometrial cancer in relation to nutrition and frequency of consumption of a few selected dietary items was evaluated in a case-control study of 206 patients with endometrial cancer and 206 control subjects with acute conditions unrelated to any of the established or potential risk factors for endometrial cancer. Obesity was strongly and positively associated with the risk of endometrial cancer, and several conditions related to body weight, such as early menarche, diabetes mellitus, or hypertension were more common in cases. The risk of endometrial cancer was elevated in subjects reporting (on a subjective basis) greater fat (butter, margarine, and oil) intake (relative risk estimate for the higher compared to the lower scores equals 5.65, with 95% confidence interval of 2.76-11.55). Cases reported less frequent intake of green vegetables, fruit, and whole-grain foods: thus, the risk of endometrial cancer appeared inversely related to indices of beta-carotene and fiber intake. Furthermore, cases consumed milk, liver and fish less frequently than controls. No significant difference was noted between cases and controls in the frequency of intake of carrots, meat, eggs, ham, and cheese. Alcohol consumption was somewhat larger among the cases, but this trend in risk was not significant. Dietary information collected in this study probably is too limited and inconsistent to permit analysis of biologic correlates of these findings or discussion of their potential implications in terms of prevention on a public health scale. Nonetheless, the mere existence of differences in reported diet between endometrial cancer cases and controls is of interest, and may warrant further, more detailed investigation.

Topics: Aged; Alcohol Drinking; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Diet; Dietary Fats; Dietary Fiber; Epidemiologic Methods; Female; Humans; Italy; Middle Aged; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Obesity; Risk; Uterine Neoplasms; Vitamin A

The organospecific, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced rat tumor model was used to test tumor formation in groups of animals receiving regular chow, powdered chow with 7%/wt ascorbic acid supplement, pelleted chow with 1%/wt beta-carotene supplement, and pelleted chow with placebo beadlets. Following a 16-week induction period, animals were killed and tumor formation was recorded. Tumor formation in the ascorbic acid supplement group was found to be significantly less than the control group. The beta-carotene group showed no difference in tumor formation compared with the placebo-beadlet control group. Tumor incidence was generally the same between the two control groups, and the ascorbic acid group had significantly fewer tumors than the beta-carotene group. In sum, ascorbic acid supplements in high doses significantly decreased tumor formation, whereas beta-carotene supplements in moderately high doses had no effect on tumor formation in this model.

Topics: 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine; Animals; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Colonic Neoplasms; Diet; Dimethylhydrazines; Male; Rats; Rectal Neoplasms

The effects of vitamin A and beta-carotene on various reproductive parameters were examined in 108 crossbred gilts. Gilts were fed a diet free of vitamin A and beta-carotene for 5 wk, then assigned to one of eight treatments. Statistical comparisons were performed on three sub-groupings of these treatments as follows: (1) DEFICIENT (received 2,100 IU of vitamin A X head-1 X d-1, (2) FED (received dietary supplementation of 0, 2,100 or 12,300 IU vitamin A and (or) 0, 32.6 or 65.2 mg beta-carotene X head-1 X d-1) or (3) INJECTED (received injection supplementation of 0 or 12,300 IU vitamin A and 32.6 mg beta-carotene X head-1 X d-1, administered once weekly). Gilts remained on treatment through weaning of litters at 21 d postpartum. Plasma vitamin A and beta-carotene levels were greatly elevated in INJECTED gilts. Concentrations of these compounds in plasma were similar between DEFICIENT and FED gilts. There was no treatment difference in number of corpora lutea/gilt. Embryonic mortality was lowest (P less than .01 to .02) in INJECTED gilts (14 +/- 3%) compared with DEFICIENT (29 +/- 5%) or FED (25 +/- 3%) gilts. Baby pig mortality averaged 6 +/- 1% and was not different among treatments. INJECTED gilts had more (P less than .05 to .01) piglets/litter at birth and at weaning (9.5 +/- .3 and 9.0 +/- .3 piglets/litter, respectively) than DEFICIENT (7.9 +/- .5 and 7.6 +/- .5 piglets/litter) or FED gilts (8.7 +/- .3 and 8.1 +/- .3 piglets/litter).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Colostrum; Female; Food, Fortified; Reproduction; Swine; Vitamin A

The safety of beta-carotene, a widely distributed food colorant was assessed in tests with cells and in sub-chronic and chronic experiments with animals. Mutagenicity evaluations which included the standard Ames test and the micro-nucleus test of bone marrow cells from mice showed that beta-carotene exerted no mutagenic properties. Embryotoxicity studies in rats and rabbits showed that there was no evidence of embryotoxicity and a multiple generation study in rats showed that there was no interference with the reproductive function in rats given oral doses of up to 1000 mg/kg/day. Chronic toxicity was studied in a 2-year study with dogs in a toxicity/tumorigenicity study in rats and in a mouse carcinogenicity study. Histological findings in the livers of treated dogs and mice, but not in rats, included vacuolated cells with eccentric nuclei which were distributed in periportal areas and which were frequently associated with minimal lipid deposition. There was no evidence that the vacuolisation was dose-related. It was considered that the vacuolated cells were fat storage cells. There was no effect on the tumor profiles in the rat and the mouse studies.

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Adipose Tissue; Animals; beta Carotene; Blood Coagulation; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Dogs; Female; Liver; Male; Neoplasms, Experimental; Pregnancy; Rabbits; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains

Male CBA mice received graded doses (450-750 rad) of total-body gamma-radiation (TBR) from a dual-beam 137Cs irradiator. Commencing directly after TBR, 2 days later, or 6 days later, groups of mice received supplemental vitamin A (Vit A) or beta-carotene (beta-Car), compounds previously found to reduce radiation disease in mice subjected to partial-body X-irradiation. Given directly after TBR, supplemental Vit A decreased mortality, evidenced by increases in the radiation dose required to kill 50% of the mice within 30 days (LD50/30). In one experiment, Vit A increased the LD50/30 from 555 to 620 rad; in another experiment, Vit A increased the dose from 505 to 630 rad. Similarly, in a third experiment, supplemental beta-Car increased the LD50/30 from 510 to 645 rad. Additionally, each compound increased the survival times, even of those mice that died within 30 days. In addition to reduction of mortality and prolongation of survival time, supplemental Vit A moderated weight loss, adrenal gland hyperemia, thymus involution, and lymphopenia--all signs of radiation toxicity. Delaying the supplementation for 2 days after irradiation did not greatly reduce the efficacy of Vit A; however, delaying supplementation for 6 days decreased its effect almost completely.

Topics: Adrenal Glands; Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Gamma Rays; Leukocytes; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred CBA; Thymus Gland; Vitamin A; Whole-Body Irradiation

The possibility of beta-carotene affecting production of hens or hatchability of eggs was studied over 252 d with diets based on white maize containing 0, 1.5, 6.75 or 15 mg added beta-carotene/kg. Egg production, food intake, food utilisation, egg weight, and egg specific gravity were not affected significantly by beta-carotene. Egg fertility, hatchability and final body weights of hens were also not significantly influenced. Reflectance measurements showed that dietary beta-carotene resulted in increased deposition and more intense pigmentation in the egg yolk.

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Chickens; Eating; Female; Food, Fortified; Oviposition

For the purpose of ascertaining the vitamin A requirement seven experiments with 303 pigs in the live weight range between 6.5 and 114 kg were made. In three experiments under in practice conditions we checked the standard vitamin A supplement to the mixed feed with 1,732 pigs (live weight range between 8.5 and 110 kg). The supplement to vitamin-A-free rations and to those poor in or free of carotene amounted to between 0 and 8,000 IU/kg feed. Above that, between 0 and 16 mg beta-carotene and 1,000 mg nitrite/kg feed were supplemented. As long as the vitamin A store in the liver during weaning amounted to greater than 50 IU and greater than 100 IU/g at the beginning of fattening, feed intake, live weight growth and feed expenditure were not influenced by the supplement of vitamin and provitamin resp. The supplement of 250 IU resulted in the same weight growth from weaning to the end of fattening as that of 4,000 IU. Nitrite supplement had a negative effect at 250 IU, at 500 IU vitamin A consumption and weight growth tended to be only insignificantly lower. The methaemoglobin content decreasing in the course of the experiment reflects the adaptation of the pigs to the nitrite load. The consumption and growth depression caused by vitamin A deficiency could be observed from the 7th week of the experiment when casein-swelling starch rations were fed, but from the 13th week of the experiment only when cereal-soybean oilmeal rations were fed. The weight of liver, spleen, kidneys, heart and brain was not influenced by vitamin A supply. The same applies to the body composition and retention with the exception of two deficiency piglets, which contained less fat in the empty body than the control animals.

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Carotenoids; Dietary Proteins; Female; Male; Methemoglobinemia; Nutritional Requirements; Sodium Nitrite; Swine; Vitamin A