beta-carotene and Erythema

UV irradiation of the skin leads to the induction of free radicals, carcinogenesis, and skin aging, and thus the use of beta-carotene in humans as a chaperoning agent is discussed. In the photohemolysis model, beta-carotene protects against the phototoxic effects of porphyrins. Beta-carotene should be used in erythropoietic protoporphyria, photosensitive diseases, and to reduce the effects of phototoxic drugs. Its effects on aging skin and on actinic keratosis have not yet been sufficiently studied.

Topics: beta Carotene; Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome; Erythema; Food; Food Analysis; Humans; Ultraviolet Rays; Vitamins

Topics: Administration, Oral; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Double-Blind Method; Drug Combinations; Erythema; Female; Humans; Lutein; Lycopene; Male; Radiation Dosage; Time Factors; Ultraviolet Rays; Vitamin E; Xanthophylls

The purpose of the study was to analyze the potential capacity of a dietary supplement, based on gamma linolenic acid, vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, coenzyme Q10 and Vitis Vitifera, to reduce side effects, in particular the dry skin, erythema and desquamation, due to treatment with oral isotretinoin, and evaluate the ability of the product to increase adherence to therapy in patients with acne.. Forty-eight patients with nodular acne (32 females and 16 males) were randomly divided into 2 groups: 24 received isotretinoin therapy (20-30 mg/day) for 6 months associated to dietary supplement (twice a day), while the other 24 patients received only isotretinoin (20-30 mg/day) for 6 months. For all patients the degree of acne severity, through GAGS (Global Acne Grading System), the sebum production by Sebutape, the hydration by Corneometer and the erythema by Mexameter, were measured. We have also evaluated the adherence to treatment, asking to patients how many days a week they follow the therapy.. Patients treated with dietary supplement had lower side effects, with a less degree of erythema and dryness, and greater degree of hydration; a greater adherence to therapy was also reported.. Thanks to antioxidant and moisturizing properties, the dietary supplement containing gamma linolenic acid, vitamin E, vitamin C, betacarotene, coenzyme Q10 and Vitis Vitifera, can be considered a useful supplement in the treatment and prevention of dry skin associated with the use of oral isotretinoin.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Administration, Oral; Adolescent; Adult; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Dermatologic Agents; Dietary Supplements; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Erythema; Female; gamma-Linolenic Acid; Humans; Isotretinoin; Italy; Male; Severity of Illness Index; Skin; Treatment Outcome; Ubiquinone; Vitamin E; Vitamins; Vitis

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) generates reactive oxygen species in skin that can play a role in skin damage, but reports about the photoprotective properties of oral antioxidant supplements are conflicting.. We examined the ability of 2 lipid-soluble antioxidants, vitamin E and beta-carotene, to reduce markers of oxidative stress and erythema in human skin exposed to UVR.. Sixteen healthy subjects took either alpha-tocopherol (n = 8; 400 IU/d) or beta-carotene (n = 8; 15 mg/d) for 8 wk. Biopsy samples before and after supplementation were taken from unexposed skin and skin 6 h after 120 mJ/cm(2) UVR. The effects of supplements on markers of oxidative stress in skin and the minimal erythema dose to UVR were assessed.. Supplementary vitamin E was bioavailable, the plasma concentration increased from 14.0 +/- 0.66 (x +/- SEM) to 18.2 +/- 0.64 mug/mL (P < 0.01), and the skin concentration increased from 0.55 +/- 0.09 to 1.6 +/- 0.19 ng/mg protein (P < 0.01). Supplementary beta-carotene increased plasma concentrations from 1 +/- 0.3 to 2.25 +/- 0.3 mug/mL (P < 0.05), but skin concentrations were undetectable. Before vitamin E supplementation, UVR increased the skin malondialdehyde concentration from 0.42 +/- 0.07 to 1.24 +/- 0.16 nmol/mg protein (P < 0.01), whereas oxidized or total glutathione increased from 9.98 +/- 0.4% to 12.0 +/- 1.0% (P < 0.05). Vitamin E supplementation significantly decreased the skin malondialdehyde concentration, but neither vitamin E nor beta-carotene significantly influenced other measures of oxidation in basal or UVR-exposed skin.. Vitamin E or beta-carotene supplementation had no effect on skin sensitivity to UVR. Although vitamin E supplements significantly reduced the skin malondialdehyde concentration, neither supplement affected other measures of UVR-induced oxidative stress in human skin, which suggested no photoprotection of supplementation.

Topics: Administration, Oral; Adult; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Erythema; Female; Humans; Male; Oxidative Stress; Ultraviolet Rays; Vitamin E

Carotenoids are useful oral sun protectants, and supplementation with high doses of beta-carotene protects against UV-induced erythema formation. We compared the erythema-protective effect of beta-carotene (24 mg/d from an algal source) to that of 24 mg/d of a carotenoid mix consisting of the three main dietary carotenoids, beta-carotene, lutein and lycopene (8 mg/d each). In a placebo-controlled, parallel study design, volunteers with skin type II (n = 12 in each group) received beta-carotene, the carotenoid mix or placebo for 12 wk. Carotenoid levels in serum and skin (palm of the hand), as well as erythema intensity before and 24 h after irradiation with a solar light simulator were measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 wk of treatment. Serum beta-carotene concentration increased three- to fourfold (P < 0.001) in the beta-carotene group, whereas in the mixed carotenoid group, the serum concentration of each of the three carotenoids increased one- to threefold (P < 0.001). No changes occurred in the control group. The intake of either beta-carotene or a mixture of carotenoids similarly increased total carotenoids in skin from wk 0 to wk 12. No changes in total carotenoids in skin occurred in the control group. The intensity of erythema 24 h after irradiation was diminished in both groups that received carotenoids and was significantly lower than baseline after 12 wk of supplementation. Long-term supplementation for 12 wk with 24 mg/d of a carotenoid mix supplying similar amounts of beta-carotene, lutein and lycopene ameliorates UV-induced erythema in humans; the effect is comparable to daily treatment with 24 mg of beta-carotene alone.

Topics: Adult; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Erythema; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Skin; Ultraviolet Rays

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

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Dietary Supplements; Erythema; Female; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation; Male; Radiation Dosage; Ultraviolet Rays

Carotenoids and tocopherols, known to be efficient antioxidants and capable of scavenging reactive oxygen species generated during photooxidative stress, may protect the skin from ultraviolet light-induced erythema. beta-Carotene is widely used as an oral sun protectant but studies on its protective effects are scarce.. The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effects of oral supplementation with carotenoids and a combination of carotenoids and vitamin E against the development of erythema in humans.. A carotenoid supplement (25 mg total carotenoids/d) and a combination of the carotenoid supplement and vitamin E [335 mg (500 IU) RRR-alpha-tocopherol/d] were given for 12 wk to healthy volunteers. Erythema was induced by illumination with a blue-light solar simulator. Serum beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol concentrations and skin carotenoid levels were assessed by HPLC and reflection photometry.. Serum beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol concentrations increased with supplementation. Erythema on dorsal skin (back) was significantly diminished (P < 0.01) after week 8, and erythema suppression was greater with the combination of carotenoids and vitamin E than with carotenoids alone.. The antioxidants used in this study provided protection against erythema in humans and may be useful for diminishing sensitivity to ultraviolet light.

Topics: Adult; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Dietary Supplements; Erythema; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Skin; Ultraviolet Rays; Vitamin E

The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanisms underlying the erythema of guinea pig skin induced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation alone and in combination with a systemic fluoroquinolone (FQ). The effects of several drugs which may modify the actions of some inflammatory mediators and radicals possibly released in the inflamed site on the erythema were examined and compared in an objective and quantitative way by measuring the change in color of the irradiated skin, determined as the change in chroma (C*) with use of reflectance colorimetry. After confirming that the C* value increased in an irradiation dose-dependent manner and reached a plateau 1-2 h after irradiation of UVB alone or UVA coadministered with an FQ, Y-26611 (10 mg/kg, i.p.), guinea pigs were pretreated with indomethacin, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) or beta-carotene before, or treated with H1- or H2-receptor antagonist, superoxide dismutase or N omega-nitro-L- arginine methyl ester after UV irradiation, and their inhibitory effects against erythema were evaluated. It was suggested that there are some substantial differences between UVB- and UVA plus FQ-induced erythemas. Although histamine makes little contribution to both types of erythema, metabolites of arachidonic acid catalyzed by cyclooxygenase contribute more to UVB-induced erythema, whereas superoxides take more part in UVA plus FQ-induced erythema. Furthermore, nitric oxide seems to participate in both types of erythema; however, the pretreatment with BHT or beta-carotene was ineffective against both erythemas. From these results, interventions should be directed to powerfully scavenging radicals for prevention and treatment of UV plus FQ-induced phototoxicity.

Topics: 4-Quinolones; Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; beta Carotene; Butylated Hydroxytoluene; Colorimetry; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; Enzyme Inhibitors; Erythema; Free Radical Scavengers; Free Radicals; Guinea Pigs; Histamine Antagonists; Indomethacin; Inflammation Mediators; Male; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; Nitric Oxide Synthase; Photosensitivity Disorders; Quinolones; Skin; Superoxide Dismutase; Ultraviolet Rays

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Diet; Erythema; Female; Fruit; Kinetics; Photosensitivity Disorders; PUVA Therapy; Rats; Skin; Vegetables

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Erythema; Female; Methoxsalen; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Skin; Ultraviolet Rays

Clinical experiments could demonstrate that beta-carotene and canthaxanthin (Carotinoid-N), orally applied, decreases ultraviolet sensitivity such as manifests itself by erythematous reactions. The dosage administered was 4 dragees daily (1 dragee contains 25 mg beta-carotene and 35 mg canthaxanthin) for two weeks and 2 dragees daily for another two weeks. There was no induction of melanin production observed. In vitiligo, administration of Carotinoid-N failed to induce repigmentation, but the contrast between vitiliginous white patches and the surrounding pigmented skin was markedly reduced by carotinoids deposited in the skin. In addition, sun protection was afforded. Carotinoid-N induced a photoprotecting action in patients with pronounced ultraviolet sensitivity or with polymorphic light eruptions (PLE). In some cases, however, we recommend an additional pretreatment with ultraviolet light ("ultraviolet hyposensitization"). With acne-lesions, the common sun lotions and creams should be avoided: only preparations without emulsifiers may be made use of.

Topics: Administration, Oral; beta Carotene; Canthaxanthin; Carotenoids; Drug Combinations; Erythema; Humans; Photosensitivity Disorders; Skin; Skin Pigmentation; Tablets; Ultraviolet Rays; Vitiligo