beta-carotene and Cough

Micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent worldwide, and a major cause of infant death. Supplementation with multiple micronutrients during pregnancy might improve micronutrient status of the newborn, thereby reducing morbidity and death. Moreover, maternal supplementation might affect the newborn's immune development. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of maternal zinc and β-carotene supplementation on the infant's morbidity and immune function during the first 6 months of life.. Mothers were supplemented during pregnancy with β-carotene and/or zinc, in addition to iron and folic acid, in a randomized, double-blind controlled trial. Newborn infants (n=136) were followed up for 6 months.. Infants born from mothers receiving zinc during pregnancy had significantly fewer episodes of diarrhoea than infants born from mothers not receiving zinc (0.2 and 0.4, respectively), but more episodes of cough (1.3 and 0.9 respectively) during the first 6 months. Maternal β-carotene supplementation had no effect on infants' morbidity. Cytokine production in the newborns was affected by maternal zinc and β-carotene supplementation, with zinc supplementation giving higher interleukin-6 production (16% higher), and β-carotene supplementation leading to lower interferon-γ production (36% lower).. This study shows that maternal supplementation with zinc and β-carotene affected the newborn's immune development in specific ways, but only maternal zinc supplementation significantly affected morbidity in the infants. Addition of zinc to routine iron and folic acid supplements for pregnant women could be an effective way to reduce diarrhoeal disease during the first 6 months of life, albeit at the expense of more episodes of cough.

Topics: beta Carotene; Cough; Deficiency Diseases; Diarrhea, Infantile; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Immune System; Immunity, Cellular; Indonesia; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Interferon-gamma; Interleukin-6; Male; Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Micronutrients; Pregnancy; Zinc

A study was undertaken to investigate the relationships between the intake of the antioxidant (pro)-vitamins C, E and beta-carotene and the presence of respiratory symptoms and lung function.. Complete data were collected in a cross sectional study in a random sample of the Dutch population on 6555 adults during 1994 and 1995. Antioxidant intake was assessed by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and respiratory symptoms (cough, phlegm, productive cough, wheeze, shortness of breath) were assessed by a self-administered questionnaire. Prevalence odds ratios for symptoms were calculated using logistic regression analysis. Linear regression analysis was used for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC). The results are presented as a comparison between the 90th and 10th percentiles of antioxidant intake.. Vitamin C intake was not associated with most symptoms but was inversely related with cough. Subjects with a high intake of vitamin C had a 53 ml (95% CI 23 to 83) higher FEV1 and 79 ml (95% CI 42 to 116) higher FVC than those with a low vitamin C intake. Vitamin E intake showed no association with most symptoms and lung function, but had a positive association with productive cough. The intake of beta-carotene was not associated with most symptoms but had a positive association with wheeze. However, subjects with a high intake of beta-carotene had a 60 ml (95% CI 31 to 89) higher FEV1 and 75 ml (95% CI 40 to 110) higher FVC than those with a low intake of beta-carotene.. The results of this study suggest that a high intake of vitamin C or beta-carotene is protective for FEV1 and FVC compared with a low intake, but not for respiratory symptoms.

Topics: Adult; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Cough; Cross-Sectional Studies; Data Collection; Humans; Lung; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Regression Analysis; Respiration Disorders; Respiratory Sounds; Vitamin E; Vitamins

The effects of alpha-tocopherol (50 mg/d) and beta-carotene (20 mg/d) supplementation on symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were studied among the 29,133 participants of the Alpha-Tocopherol Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study undertaken to investigate the effects of these two substances in the prevention of lung and other cancers. During the follow-up the supplementations did not affect the recurrence or incidence of chronic cough, phlegm, or dyspnea. The prevalence of chronic bronchitis and dyspnea at baseline was lower among those with high dietary intake of beta-carotene (OR = 0.78 and 0.67, respectively) or vitamin E (OR = 0.87 and 0.77) and high serum beta-carotene (OR = 0.59 and 0.62) and alpha-tocopherol (OR = 0.76 and 0.82). High intake and serum levels of retinol were associated with low prevalence of dyspnea (OR = 0.84 and 0.80, respectively) but not with chronic bronchitis. The results indicate no benefit from supplementation with alpha-tocopherol or beta-carotene on the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders but support the beneficial effect of dietary intake of fruits and vegetables rich in these compounds.

Topics: Aged; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Bronchitis; Cough; Dietary Supplements; Dyspnea; Humans; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Male; Middle Aged; Vitamin A; Vitamin E