beta-carotene and Obesity

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

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the principal contributor to myocardial infarction, the leading cause of death worldwide. Epidemiological and mechanistic studies indicate that β-carotene and its vitamin A derivatives stimulate lipid catabolism in several tissues to reduce the incidence of obesity, but their roles within ASCVD are elusive. Herein, we review the mechanisms by which β-carotene and vitamin A modulate ASCVD. First, we summarize the current knowledge linking these nutrients with epidemiological studies and lipoprotein metabolism as one of the initiating factors of ASCVD. Next, we focus on different aspects of vitamin A metabolism in immune cells such as the mechanisms of carotenoid uptake and conversion to the vitamin A metabolite, retinoic acid. Lastly, we review the effects of retinoic acid on immuno-metabolism, differentiation, and function of macrophages and T cells, the two pillars of the innate and adaptive immune response in ASCVD, respectively. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Carotenoids recent advances in cell and molecular biology edited by Johannes von Lintig and Loredana Quadro.

Topics: Atherosclerosis; beta Carotene; Biological Transport; Humans; Lipid Metabolism; Macrophages; Obesity; Vitamin A

Carotenoids are vital antioxidants for plants and animals. They protect cells from oxidative events and act against the inflammatory process and carcinogenesis. Among the most abundant carotenoids in human and foods is β-carotene. This carotenoid has the highest level of provitamin A activity, as it splits into two molecules of retinol through the actions of the cytosolic enzymes: β-carotene-15,15'-monooxygenase (β-carotene-15,15'-oxygenase 1) and β-carotene-9',10'-dioxygenase (β-carotene-9',10'-oxygenase 2). The literature supports the idea that β-carotene acts against type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Due to the many processes involved in β-carotene biosynthesis and metabolic function, little is known about such components, since many mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, our study concisely described the relationships between the consumption of carotenoids, with emphasis on β-carotene, and obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus and its associated parameters in order to understand the preventive role of carotenoids better and encourage their consumption.

Topics: Animals; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Lipid Metabolism; Obesity; Oxidative Stress

Over the past decades, obesity has become a rising health problem as the accessibility to high calorie, low nutritional value food has increased. Research shows that some bioactive components in fruits and vegetables, such as carotenoids, could contribute to the prevention and treatment of obesity. Some of these carotenoids are responsible for vitamin A production, a hormone-like vitamin with pleiotropic effects in mammals. Among these effects, vitamin A is a potent regulator of adipose tissue development, and is therefore important for obesity. This review focuses on the role of the provitamin A carotenoid β-carotene in human health, emphasizing the mechanisms by which this compound and its derivatives regulate adipocyte biology. It also discusses the physiological relevance of carotenoid accumulation, the implication of the carotenoid-cleaving enzymes, and the technical difficulties and considerations researchers must take when working with these bioactive molecules. Thanks to the broad spectrum of functions carotenoids have in modern nutrition and health, it is necessary to understand their benefits regarding to metabolic diseases such as obesity in order to evaluate their applicability to the medical and pharmaceutical fields.

Topics: Adipocytes; Animals; beta Carotene; beta-Carotene 15,15'-Monooxygenase; Diet; Humans; Obesity

Cell, animal and human studies dealing with carotenoids and carotenoid derivatives as nutritional regulators of adipose tissue biology with implications for the etiology and management of obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases are reviewed. Most studied carotenoids in this context are β-carotene, cryptoxanthin, astaxanthin and fucoxanthin, together with β-carotene-derived retinoids and some other apocarotenoids. Studies indicate an impact of these compounds on essential aspects of adipose tissue biology including the control of adipocyte differentiation (adipogenesis), adipocyte metabolism, oxidative stress and the production of adipose tissue-derived regulatory signals and inflammatory mediators. Specific carotenoids and carotenoid derivatives restrain adipogenesis and adipocyte hypertrophy while enhancing fat oxidation and energy dissipation in brown and white adipocytes, and counteract obesity in animal models. Intake, blood levels and adipocyte content of carotenoids are reduced in human obesity. Specifically designed human intervention studies in the field, though still sparse, indicate a beneficial effect of carotenoid supplementation in the accrual of abdominal adiposity. In summary, studies support a role of specific carotenoids and carotenoid derivatives in the prevention of excess adiposity, and suggest that carotenoid requirements may be dependent on body composition.

Topics: Adipocytes; Adipose Tissue; Animals; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Cryptoxanthins; Humans; Obesity; Xanthophylls

The importance attributed to dietary change as a means of helping to achieve the major goals of the UK's public health policy as articulated in the Health of the Nation White paper (Department of Health, 1992) is less apparent in the most recent strategy document (Department of Health, 1999). Greater emphasis is given to amelioration of the socio-economic circumstances that are believed to contribute to inequalities in health. Better understanding of the elements of foods and diets which help protect health together with better evidence of effective dietary interventions are essential if the opportunities to use diet to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases are to be realised. This is likely to need new research strategies that take advantage of emerging information from genomics and proteomics to produce evidence of safety, efficacy and applicability. Ethical exploitation of the rapid growth in interest in 'functional foods' by the food industry will require a level of investment in biomedical research unusual in the past.

Topics: Adult; beta Carotene; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diet; Female; Folic Acid; Food, Fortified; Health Policy; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Obesity; Pregnancy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Socioeconomic Factors; United Kingdom; Vitamins

Metabolic syndrome, whose main diagnostic component is obesity, is a risk factor for lifestyle-related diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Diet is known to affect the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. However, the effect of diet on metabolic syndrome in Japanese subjects has not been thoroughly explored. In the present study, we investigated the effect of carotenoid-rich vegetables, particularly lycopene- and lutein-rich vegetables, on the metabolic syndrome in obese Japanese men. We conducted an 8-week long randomized, double-blinded, controlled clinical trial in which, 28 middle-aged (40 ≤ age < 65) Japanese men with high body mass index (BMI ≥ 25) were randomized into four dietary groups: high lycopene + high lutein (HLyHLu), high lycopene + low lutein (HLyLLu), low lycopene + high lutein (LLyHLu), and low lycopene + low lutein (LLyLLu). Our results showed that daily beverage-intake increased the plasma levels of carotenoids without adverse effects, and the visceral fat level was significantly decreased in all the groups. The waist circumference was significantly decreased only in the HLyLLu group, whereas the CoQ10 oxidation rate was decreased in all the groups. The gene expression profiles of whole blood samples before and after ingestion differed only in the LLyLLu group, indicating the effect of carotenoids on gene expression profile. In conclusion, our results suggest that dietary uptake of carotenoid-rich vegetables increases their concentration in blood and reduces the intra-abdominal visceral fat.

Topics: Adiposity; Adult; beta Carotene; Beverages; Body Mass Index; Carotenoids; Diet; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Intra-Abdominal Fat; Japan; Lutein; Lycopene; Male; Metabolic Syndrome; Middle Aged; Obesity; Vegetables

To determine whether postprandial metabolic and vascular responses induced by a high-fat and high-carbohydrate meal are attenuated by ingestion of the flavonol quercetin.. Twenty-two overweight-to-obese hypertensive patients participated in a randomized, double-blind, controlled, crossover meal study. They consumed a test meal (challenge) rich in energy (4754 kJ), fat (61.6 g), saturated fatty acids (53 % of total fatty acids), and carbohydrates (113.3 g) with either placebo or 54 mg quercetin. Blood pressure, reactive hyperemia index (RHI), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), soluble endothelial-derived adhesion molecules, parameters of lipid and glucose metabolism, and markers of antioxidant status were measured before the meal and at 2 and 4 h postprandially.. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased significantly over time, but were not affected by treatment (placebo or quercetin). During both treatments, serum endothelin-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine slightly decreased over time, whereas RHI increased. Serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and insulin significantly increased, whereas HDL cholesterol and glucose significantly decreased over time, again with no effect of treatment. Plasma α-tocopherol significantly increased, and plasma Trolox equivalent antioxidative capacity decreased over time. Serum hs-CRP, plasma retinol, and β-carotene did not significantly change during the trial.. In hypertensive patients, a high-energy meal did not lead to postprandial impairment of vascular endothelial function. Postprandial metabolic responses induced by the challenge, such as lipemia and insulinemia, were not attenuated by the concomitant ingestion of quercetin.. This trial was registered at www.germanctr.de/ and http://apps.who.int/trialsearch/ as DRKS00000555.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Arginine; beta Carotene; Blood Pressure; C-Reactive Protein; Cholesterol; Cross-Over Studies; Double-Blind Method; Endothelin-1; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Insulin; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Onions; Overweight; Plant Extracts; Postprandial Period; Quercetin; Triglycerides; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; Vitamin A

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 prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies is higher in obese individuals compared to normal-weight people, probably because of inadequate eating habits but also due to increased demands among overweight persons, which are underestimated by dietary reference intakes (DRI) intended for the general population. We therefore evaluated the dietary micronutrient intake in obese individuals compared to a reference population and DRI recommendations. Furthermore, we determined the micronutrient status in obese subjects undergoing a standardized DRI-covering low-calorie formula diet to analyze if the DRI meet the micronutrient requirements of obese individuals.. In 104 subjects baseline micronutrient intake was determined by dietary record collection. A randomly assigned subgroup of subjects (n = 32) underwent a standardized DRI-covering low-calorie formula diet over a period of three months. Pre- and post-interventional intracellular micronutrient status in buccal mucosa cells (BMC) was analyzed, as well as additional micronutrient serum concentrations in 14 of the subjects.. Prior to dietetic intervention, nutrition was calorie-rich and micronutrient-poor. Baseline deficiencies in serum concentrations were observed for 25-hydroxyvitamin-D, vitamin C, selenium, iron, as well as ß-carotene, vitamin C, and lycopene in BMC. After a three-month period of formula diet even more subjects had reduced micronutrient levels of vitamin C (serum, BMC), zinc, and lycopene. There was a significant negative correlation between lipophilic serum vitamin concentrations and body fat, as well as between iron and C-reactive protein.. The present pilot study shows that micronutrient deficiency occurring in obese individuals is not corrected by protein-rich formula diet containing vitamins and minerals according to DRI. In contrast, micronutrient levels remain low or become even lower, which might be explained by insufficient intake, increased demand and unbalanced dispersal of lipophilic compounds in the body.. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT01344525). The study protocol comprises only a part of the approved trial protocol.

Topics: Adult; beta Carotene; C-Reactive Protein; Caloric Restriction; Carotenoids; Diet Records; Energy Intake; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Lycopene; Male; Malnutrition; Micronutrients; Middle Aged; Nutritional Status; Obesity; Pilot Projects; Weight Loss

Healthy overweight subjects (24 males, 68 females; mean age=48.8 years; body mass index=27.1+/-4.9) participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study with two periods of 28-day supplementation using a nutritional product composed primarily of dehydrated juice concentrates from mixed fruits and vegetables (JuicePlus +). Compared with placebo, supplementation for 28 days increased concentrations of serum beta-carotene by 264% (P <0.001) and alpha-tocopherol by 14% (P < 0.01). After crossover of the active group to placebo, beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol declined via first-order kinetics, with serum half-lives (t (1/2)) for beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol determined to be 22.8+/-3.1 and 4.6+/-2.3 days, respectively. Depletion rates for beta-carotene correlated with adiposity (quartile 1, body mass index=21.96, t (1/2)=17.6 days vs. quartile 4, body mass index=37.87, t (1/2)=26.3 days; P < 0.05). In conclusion, the supplementation period resulted in significantly elevated levels of beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol, indicating bioavailability. These increased levels persisted 2-4 weeks after supplementation was discontinued, and the rates of depletion were correlated with the levels of general adiposity.

Topics: Adiposity; Adult; alpha-Tocopherol; beta Carotene; Beverages; Biological Availability; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Female; Fruit; Humans; Kinetics; Male; Micronutrients; Obesity; Overweight; Plant Preparations; Vegetables

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

Naringenin, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) activator found in citrus fruits, upregulates markers of thermogenesis and insulin sensitivity in human adipose tissue. Our pharmacokinetics clinical trial demonstrated that naringenin is safe and bioavailable, and our case report showed that naringenin causes weight loss and improves insulin sensitivity. PPARs form heterodimers with retinoic-X-receptors (RXRs) at promoter elements of target genes. Retinoic acid is an RXR ligand metabolized from dietary carotenoids. The carotenoid β-carotene reduces adiposity and insulin resistance in clinical trials. Our goal was to examine if carotenoids strengthen the beneficial effects of naringenin on human adipocyte metabolism.. Human preadipocytes from donors with obesity were differentiated in culture and treated with 8µM naringenin + 2µM β-carotene (NRBC) for seven days. Candidate genes involved in thermogenesis and glucose metabolism were measured as well as hormone-stimulated lipolysis.. We found that β-carotene acts synergistically with naringenin to boost UCP1 and glucose metabolism genes including GLUT4 and adiponectin, compared to naringenin alone. Protein levels of PPARα, PPARγ and PPARγ-coactivator-1α, key modulators of thermogenesis and insulin sensitivity, were also upregulated after treatment with NRBC. Transcriptome sequencing was conducted and the bioinformatics analyses of the data revealed that NRBC induced enzymes for several non-UCP1 pathways for energy expenditure including triglyceride cycling, creatine kinases, and Peptidase M20 Domain Containing 1 (PM20D1). A comprehensive analysis of changes in receptor expression showed that NRBC upregulated eight receptors that have been linked to lipolysis or thermogenesis including the β1-adrenergic receptor and the parathyroid hormone receptor. NRBC increased levels of triglyceride lipases and agonist-stimulated lipolysis in adipocytes. We observed that expression of RXRγ, an isoform of unknown function, was induced ten-fold after treatment with NRBC. We show that RXRγ is a coactivator bound to the immunoprecipitated PPARγ protein complex from white and beige human adipocytes.. There is a need for obesity treatments that can be administered long-term without side effects. NRBC increases the abundance and lipolytic response of multiple receptors for hormones released after exercise and cold exposure. Lipolysis provides the fuel for thermogenesis, and these observations suggest that NRBC has therapeutic potential.

Topics: Adipocytes, White; beta Carotene; Glucose; Hormones; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Lipolysis; Obesity; Phenotype; PPAR gamma; Triglycerides

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

Vitamin A (VA) has a negative association with body mass index (BMI) since it is involved in the regulation of body adiposity via nuclear receptors. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between VA nutritional status and the way body adipose is stored, which is the aim of this cross-sectional analytical study with Brazilian adult women in different BMI classes with the intake of VA recommended. VA nutritional status was assessed by serum retinol and β-carotene measurements, dietary intake, and diagnosis of night blindness (NB). Results: 268 women with mean age of 38.00±5.80 years. According to the BMI, 30.97% were normal weight, 14.18% overweight, 25.37% class I obesity, 14.55% class II, and 14.93% class III.The prevalence of low serum of β-carotene, retinol, and presence of NB in the total sample was 73.5%, 45.9%, and 20.1%, respectively. A total of 86.7% of normal weight women had inadequate visceral adiposity index (VAI) and 41.0% had inadequate body adiposity index (BAI).VAI was the body adiposity marker with the highest association with low serum retinol and b-carotene concentrations (P<.001). There was presence of NB in 100% of cases of inadequacy of BAI (P<.001). High visceral and body adiposity were associated with compromised VA nutritional status regardless of BMI and the recommended intake of VA. Additional measures to assess body adiposity, and especially its distribution, may collaborate in clinical practice to identify women at risk of compromising their VA nutritional status even when they are classified as normal weight according to their BMI.

Topics: Adiposity; Adult; beta Carotene; Body Mass Index; Brazil; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Nutritional Status; Obesity; Vitamin A

The β-carotene oxygenase 1 (BCO1) is the enzyme responsible for the cleavage of β-carotene to retinal, the first intermediate in vitamin A formation. Preclinical studies suggest that BCO1 expression is required for dietary β-carotene to affect lipid metabolism. The goal of this study was to generate a gene therapy strategy that over-expresses BCO1 in the adipose tissue and utilizes the β-carotene stored in adipocytes to produce vitamin A and reduce obesity.. We generated a novel adipose-tissue-specific, adeno-associated vector to over-express BCO1 (AT-AAV-BCO1) in murine adipocytes. We tested this vector using a unique model to achieve β-carotene accumulation in the adipose tissue, in which Bco1. AT-AAV-BCO1 infusions in the adipose tissue of the mice resulted in the production of retinoic acid, a vitamin A metabolite with strong effects on gene regulation. AT-AAV-BCO1 treatment also reduced adipose tissue size and adipocyte area by 35% and 30%, respectively. These effects were sex-specific, highlighting the complexity of vitamin A metabolism in mammals.. The over-expression of BCO1 through delivery of an AT-AAV-BCO1 leads to the conversion of β-carotene to vitamin A in adipocytes, which subsequently results in reduction of adiposity. These studies highlight for the first time the potential of adipose tissue β-carotene as a target for BCO1 over-expression in the reduction of obesity.

Topics: Adipocytes; Animals; beta Carotene; Female; Male; Mammals; Mice; Obesity; Tretinoin; Vitamin A

Nutrient patterns have been associated with an increased risk for chronic disease. Evidence to confirm a direct relationship between nutrient patterns and obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) throughout population-based differences including cultural contexts add complexity is not well established yet. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between nutrient patterns and MetS among overweight and obese Iranian women.. Three hundred and sixty obese and overweight women (25 < BMI < 40) were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Dietary intake of 19 nutrients was evaluated by a semi-quantitative standard food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). MetS was determined by abdominal obesity > 88 (cm) in females, Triglycerides ≥ 150 (mg/dL), dyslipidemia (HDL < 50 mg/dL), systolic blood pressure > 130/85 (millimeters), and glucose > 100 (mg/dL). Body composition was assessed by a multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer, InBody 770 scanner. Principle components analysis was applied and four nutrient patterns were identified as following: Pattern 1 (thiamin, iron, carbohydrate, zinc, niacin, protein, magnesium, phosphorus, riboflavin), represented the carbo-vitamin group. Lipid group was showed in pattern 2 (PUFAs, MUFA, vitamin E, trans fatty acids, and Pattern 3 (beta-carotene, vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C) represented the anti-oxidant group, finally Pattern 4 was the indicator of the milk group (vitamin D, calcium).. A significant positive association was observed between the anti-oxidant group and obesity (OR 1.40; 95% CI 1.09-1.8; P = 0.01). No relationship between other nutrient pattern and MetS was observed.. The nutrient patterns that are highly loading of beta-carotene, vitamin K, vitamin A, and vitamin C in nutrient patterns may be associated to higher risk of obesity in overweight and obese Iranian women.. Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

Topics: Adult; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Iran; Metabolic Syndrome; Nutrients; Obesity; Overweight; Vitamin A; Vitamin K

The combination of sarcopenia and obesity (i.e., sarcopenic obesity) is more strongly associated with disability and metabolic/cardiovascular diseases than obesity or sarcopenia alone. Therefore, countermeasures that simultaneously suppress fat gain and muscle atrophy to prevent an increase in sarcopenic obesity are warranted. The aim of this study was to investigate the simultaneous effects of fucoxanthinol (FXOH) on fat loss in mature adipocytes and the inhibition of atrophy and loss in myotubes induced by oxidative stress. C2C12 myotubes were treated with FXOH for 24 h and further incubated with hydrogen peroxide (H

Topics: 3T3-L1 Cells; Adipocytes; Animals; Atrophy; beta Carotene; Cell Line; Fatty Acids; Hydrogen Peroxide; Lipolysis; Metabolic Diseases; Mice; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal; Muscular Atrophy; Obesity; Oxidative Stress; Triglycerides

Background: evidence indicates a role of vitamin A in the regulation of fat mass influencing obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Material and methods: a cross-sectional study in 200 women, paired by age and by the recommended dietary intake of vitamin A. Subjects were divided into four groups according to body mass index (BMI): 80 eutrophic (E), 40 overweight (OW), 40 class I obesity (OI) and 40 class II obesity (OII). Lipid and glycemic profiles were measured and oxidative stress was evaluated through serum concentrations of uric acid, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Results: the cutoff points for deficiency of serum retinol and β-carotene levels were < 1.05 µmol/L and 40 µg/dL, respectively. For the recommended dietary intake of vitamin A it was 700 µg/day. Retinol and β-carotene deficiency was found in the E group at 5 % and 15 %, respectively, reaching 77.5 % and 82.5 % in the OII group. Conclusions: a correlation was observed between serum concentrations of retinol and β-carotene and glycemic, lipid, and markers of oxidative stress profiles in the groups studied. It was observed that OI and OII subjects who had retinol and β-carotene deficiency presented a risk that was 16 and 20.7 times greater, respectively, of having a diagnosis with DM2 as compared to E subjects with adequate concentrations of vitamin A. Increased demand of vitamin A may be related to increased BMI, body adiposity, and oxidative stress even when a recommended intake of vitamin A is reached.. Introducción: la evidencia indica un papel de la vitamina A en la regulación de la masa grasa que influye en la obesidad y las enfermedades cardiovasculares. Material y métodos: estudio transversal con 200 mujeres emparejadas por edad y por la ingesta dietética de vitamina A recomendada. Se dividieron en cuatro grupos según el índice de masa corporal (IMC): 80 eutróficas (E), 40 con sobrepeso (OW), 40 con obesidad de clase I (OI) y 40 con obesidad de clase II (OII). Se midieron los perfiles lipídicos y glucémicos y se evaluó el estrés oxidativo a través de las concentraciones séricas de ácido úrico, glutatión-peroxidasa (GSH-Px) y sustancias reactivas del ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS). Resultados: los puntos de corte para la deficiencia de las concentraciones séricas de retinol y caroteno fueron de 1,05 µmol/L y 40 g/dL, respectivamente. Para la ingesta dietética recomendada de vitamina A fue de 700 g/día. Se encontró deficiencia de retinol y caroteno en el grupo E, del 5 % y 15 %, respectivamente, alcanzando un 77,5 % y 82,5 % en el grupo OII. Conclusiones: se observó correlación entre las concentraciones séricas de retinol y caroteno y los perfiles glucémico, lipídico y de marcadores de perfiles de estrés oxidativo en los grupos estudiados. Se observó que los sujetos con OI y OII que tenían deficiencia de retinol y caroteno presentaban un riesgo 16 y 20,7 veces mayor, respectivamente, de ser diagnosticados de DM2 en comparación con los E con concentraciones adecuadas de vitamina A. El aumento de la demanda de vitamina A puede estar relacionado con el aumento del IMC, la adiposidad corporal y el estrés oxidativo, incluso cuando se alcanza la ingesta recomendada de vitamina A.

Topics: Adiposity; beta Carotene; Blood Glucose; Body Mass Index; Cardiometabolic Risk Factors; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Glutathione Peroxidase; Humans; Lipids; Middle Aged; Night Blindness; Obesity; Obesity, Morbid; Overweight; Oxidative Stress; Recommended Dietary Allowances; Risk Factors; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; Uric Acid; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Vitamins

Background As breastfeeding awareness and social acceptance are increased, maternal nutritional deficiency requires more investigation. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted to determine if vitamin A deficiency is more common in pregnant, lactating post-bariatric surgery women in an inner city population. Antepartum, women after bariatric surgery and controls with no history of malabsorption were recruited. Third trimester, postpartum maternal blood and cord blood were collected as well as three breast milk samples: colostrum, transitional and mature milk. A nutritional survey of diet was completed. Each serum sample was analyzed for total retinol and β-carotene; breast milk samples were analyzed for retinol and retinyl esters, total retinol and β-carotene. Results Fifty-three women after bariatric surgery and 66 controls were recruited. Postpartum serum retinol was significantly higher in women after bariatric surgery in the univariate analysis (P<0.0001) and confirmed in the multiple linear mixed model (P=0.0001). Breast milk colostrum retinol and transitional milk total retinol were significantly greater in the bariatric surgery group in the univariate analysis (P=0.03 and P=0.02, respectively), but not after adjusting for confounders. Serum β-carotene in the third trimester and postpartum were lower (P<0.0001 and P=0.003, respectively) in the bariatric surgery group but not after adjusting for confounders. Vitamin A deficiency was high in both groups in serum and breast milk samples. Conclusion Nutritional deficiencies in breastfeeding women after bariatric surgeries may in fact be less common than in control women in an inner city.

Topics: Adult; Bariatric Surgery; beta Carotene; Breast Feeding; Female; Humans; Lactation; Milk, Human; Nutrition Assessment; Nutrition Disorders; Obesity; Perinatal Care; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; United States; Urban Population; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency

Topics: Adipose Tissue; Adolescent; beta Carotene; Body Mass Index; Carotenoids; Child; Environment; Female; Gene-Environment Interaction; Humans; Male; Mexican Americans; Nutritional Status; Obesity; Phenotype; Quantitative Trait, Heritable; Triglycerides; Waist Circumference

Diet quality indices can predict nutritional adequacy of usual intake, but validity should be determined. The aim was to assess the validity of total and sub-scale score within the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS), in relation to fasting plasma carotenoid concentrations. Diet quality and fasting plasma carotenoid concentrations were assessed in 99 overweight and obese adults (49.5% female, aged 44.6 ± 9.9 years) at baseline and after three months (198 paired observations). Associations were assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficients and regression analysis, and agreement using weighted kappa (K

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Australia; beta Carotene; Beta-Cryptoxanthin; Biomarkers; Carotenoids; Diet; Female; Food Quality; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Assessment; Nutrition Policy; Obesity; Overweight; Recommended Dietary Allowances; Reproducibility of Results; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult

Spices are appreciated for their medicinal properties besides their use as food adjuncts to enhance the sensory quality of food. In this study, Crocus cancellatus subsp. damascenus was investigated for its antioxidant activities employing different in vitro systems. Stigma extract demonstrated a radical scavenging activity against both 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radicals with IC50 values of 34.6 and 21.6 µg/mL and a good ferric reducing ability (53.9 µM Fe(II)/g). In order to clarify the potential functional properties of this spice, the carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzymes and pancreatic lipase inhibitory properties were investigated. Crocus cancellatus subsp. damascenus extract inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase with IC50 values of 57.1 and 68.6 µg/mL, respectively. The bioactivity was discussed in terms of phytochemicals content. The obtained results may be of interest from a functional point of view or as food additive and to promote the revalorization of this species.

Topics: alpha-Amylases; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Crocus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Enzyme Inhibitors; Free Radical Scavengers; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; Humans; Inhibitory Concentration 50; Lipase; Obesity; Plant Extracts

The relationship between obesity and circulating levels of antioxidants is poorly understood. Most studies that have examined the association of adiposity with blood or tissue concentrations of antioxidant micronutrients have been cross-sectional, and few have compared the associations for indices of overall obesity and central obesity. Our aim was to prospectively examine the longitudinal association of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist circumference-height ratio (WCHtR) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) with major serum antioxidants in a population of postmenopausal women.. We used a subsample of participants in the Women's Health Initiative aged 50-79 years at entry with available fasting blood samples and anthropometric measurements obtained at multiple time points over 12.8 years of follow-up (N=2672). Blood samples were used to measure α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein+zeaxanthin, α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol and retinol at baseline, and at years 1, 3 and 6. We used mixed-effects linear regression analyses to examine associations between anthropometric measures and serum antioxidants at baseline and over time, controlling for covariates.. In longitudinal analyses, carotenoids, and particularly β-carotene, were strongly and inversely associated with BMI, WC and WCHtR and less so with WHR. α-Tocopherol showed a strong positive association with WHR but not with other anthropometric measures, whereas γ-tocopherol was positively and strongly associated with BMI, WC, WCHtR and less so with WHR. Retinol was positively associated with WHR. The inverse association of several carotenoids with anthropometric measures was stronger in never and former smokers compared with current smokers and in women without the metabolic syndrome. The inverse association of carotenoids with obesity measures may reflect reduced micronutrient concentrations owing to inflammation associated with obesity.. In the present study, the strongest observed associations between anthropometric variables and micronutrients were an inverse association of WC with serum β-carotene and a positive association of WC with γ-tocopherol.

Topics: Adipose Tissue; Adiposity; Aged; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Body Mass Index; Female; gamma-Tocopherol; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Metabolic Syndrome; Middle Aged; Nutritional Status; Obesity; Obesity, Abdominal; Postmenopause; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Smoking; Vitamin A; Waist Circumference; Waist-Hip Ratio

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

Many epidemiological studies find an inverse correlation between carotenoids intake or carotenoids plasma concentrations and body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome in the general population. However, it is not clear whether these relationships occur in obese population.. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 108 obese non-diabetic patients.. There was an inverse correlation between plasma levels of pro-vitamin A carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin) and both BMI and insulin resistance (estimated by the HOMA-IR). No correlation between plasma concentrations of lycopene or lutein/zeaxanthin and BMI or insulin resistance was found. The inverse association between the three pro-vitamin A carotenoids and HOMA-IR disappeared after adjustment for BMI and waist circumference. Interestingly, we identified a positive association between concentrations of β-carotene and adiponectin in plasma that was independent of sex, age, smoking status, BMI and waist circumference. To our knowledge, such association has never been described in obese patients.. These results suggest the existence of a favourable effect of β-carotene on insulin sensitivity in obese individuals that could involve a positive regulation of adiponectin, either directly or via its pro-vitamin A activity. The demonstration of the potential benefits of β-carotene towards insulin sensitivity would open the way to dietary strategies to prevent metabolic syndrome.

Topics: Adiponectin; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; beta Carotene; Body Mass Index; Carotenoids; Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus; Diet; Female; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Interleukin-1; Leptin; Linear Models; Lutein; Lycopene; Male; Metabolic Syndrome; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Obesity; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; Triglycerides; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Young Adult; Zeaxanthins

Breast cancer is a disease characterised by both oxidative reactions and inflammation. However, few studies have focused on the oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association between oxidative stress markers and adiposity and clinical staging, as well as the association between the oxidative and the antioxidant biomarkers of women with breast cancer.. A total of 135 cases of breast cancer occurring in 2011 and 2012 were assessed. After exclusions, 101 pre- and post-menopausal women with clinical staging I to IV were eligible to participate in the study. The anthropometric evaluation was performed by collecting data on waist circumference, body mass index and body composition. The socioeconomic and clinical profiles were determined using a standard questionnaire. For the oxidative biomarkers, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), oxidative DNA damage (8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)), low-density lipoprotein(-) (LDL(-)), autoantibody anti-LDL(-) and liposoluble antioxidants (α-tocopherol, retinol and β-carotene) were analysed. The data were analysed using differences in the mean values, correlation tests and multiple linear regression.. The antioxidant levels were higher in postmenopausal women with clinical staging I and II and negative lymph nodes. The TBARS level was associated with clinical staging. Adiposity was associated with levels of retinol and 8-OHdG, whereas LDL(-), 8-OHdG and TBARS were correlated with liposoluble antioxidants after adjusting for the confounders.. The adiposity and clinical staging of patients were associated with oxidative stress. The oxidative and antioxidant biomarkers showed a negative correlation in patients with breast cancer.

Topics: Adipose Tissue; Adiposity; Adult; alpha-Tocopherol; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Biomarkers; Body Mass Index; Breast Neoplasms; Diet; DNA Damage; Female; Humans; Lymph Nodes; Neoplasm Staging; Nutritional Status; Obesity; Oxidative Stress; Postmenopause; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; Vitamin A; Waist Circumference

Fucoxanthin (Fx) is a marine carotenoid found in edible brown seaweeds. We previously reported that dietary Fx metabolite into fucoxanthinol (FxOH), attenuates the weight gain of white adipose tissue of diabetic/obese KK-Ay mice. In this study, to evaluate anti-diabetic effects of Fx, we investigated improving the effect of insulin resistance on the diabetic model of KK-Ay mice. Furthermore, preventing the effect of FxOH on low-grade chronic inflammation related to oxidative stress was evaluated on 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells and a RAW264.7 macrophage cell co-culture system. A diet containing 0.1% Fx was fed to diabetic model KK-Ay mice for three weeks, then glucose tolerance was observed. Fx diet significantly improved glucose tolerance compared with the control diet group.  In in vitro studies, FxOH showed suppressed tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA expression and protein levels in a co-culture of adipocyte and macrophage cells. These findings suggest that Fx ameliorates glucose tolerance in the diabetic model mice. Furthermore, FxOH, a metabolite of Fx, suppresses low-grade chronic inflammation in adipocyte cells.

Topics: 3T3-L1 Cells; Adipocytes; Adipose Tissue, White; Animals; beta Carotene; Blood Glucose; Cell Line; Chemokine CCL2; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; Diet; Disease Models, Animal; Inflammation; Insulin Resistance; Macrophages; Mice; Obesity; RNA, Messenger; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Weight Gain; Xanthophylls

Complement factor 3 (C3) has been identified as a novel risk factor for obesity-associated cardiometabolic diseases. Data in the literature suggest that C3 concentrations may be influenced by diet. Therefore, we investigated the associations of intake of total fat, specific fatty acids, and fat-soluble vitamin E (and individual tocopherols) and vitamin A (and its dietary precursors) with circulating C3. In a white cohort [Cohort on Diabetes and Atherosclerosis Maastricht (CODAM); n = 501; 59.4 ± 7.1 y; 61% men], associations of habitual nutrient intake (assessed by a food-frequency questionnaire) with circulating C3 were evaluated by using cross-sectional multiple linear regression analyses. Adjustments were first performed for age, sex, glucose metabolism status (i.e., impaired glucose metabolism or type 2 diabetes), and energy intake and subsequently for BMI, waist circumference, alcohol intake, smoking behavior, and season of blood collection. No associations with C3 were observed for total dietary fat intake or intake of specific fatty acids [saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, n-6 (ω-6), and n-3 (ω- 3) fatty acids], vitamin E, or individual tocopherols. We observed an inverse association with intake of provitamin A carotenoids α-carotene (in μg/d; regression coefficient β = -0.075; 95% CI: -0.140, -0.010; P = 0.025) and β-carotene (in μg/d; β = -0.021; 95% CI: -0.044, 0.002; P = 0.068) with C3 (in mg/L). In contrast, and only in women, dietary retinol intake (in μg/d) was positively associated with C3 (β = 0.116; 95% CI: 0.014, 0.218; P = 0.026; n = 196). In conclusion, these data suggest that fasting concentrations of C3 may, in a complex manner, be modifiable by variation in dietary provitamin A carotenoids and/or retinol content of the usual diet but most likely not by variations in fat composition and vitamin E content.

Topics: Aged; Alcohol Drinking; beta Carotene; Body Mass Index; Carotenoids; Cohort Studies; Complement C3; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dietary Fats; Energy Intake; Fatty Acids; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Assessment; Obesity; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Smoking; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vitamin A; Vitamin E; Waist Circumference; White People

Topics: Adolescent; Asthma; beta Carotene; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Metabolic Syndrome; Obesity; Oxidative Stress; Vitamin A

We have examined the concentration of β-carotene in the fat of isolated abdominal subcutaneous adipocytes obtained from lean (BMI<23 kg/m²), non-obese with higher BMI (23≤BMI<28 kg/m²), obese (BMI≥28 kg/m²), and from a group of obese subjects with type 2 diabetes. The concentration of β-carotene was 50% lower in the adipocytes from the obese and obese/diabetic groups compared with the lean and non-obese groups. Interestingly, the total amount of β-carotene in the adipocyte stores of each subject was constant among all groups. Triacylglycerol constituted 92±1% (by weight) of the adipocyte lipids in the lean group and this was increased to 99±2% in the obese group with diabetes (p<0.05). The concentration of cholesteryl esters was in all cases <0.1 g per 100 g of total lipids, demonstrating that mature human adipocytes have negligible stores of cholesteryl ester. Our findings demonstrate that adipocyte concentrations of β-carotene are reduced in obese subjects. The lower concentrations in adipocytes from subjects with type 2 diabetes apparently reflect subjects obesity. Our finding that whole-body stores of β-carotene in adipocytes are constant raises new questions regarding what function it serves, as well as the mechanisms for maintaining constant levels in the face of varied adipose tissue mass among individuals over a period of time.

Topics: Adipocytes; beta Carotene; Body Mass Index; Female; Humans; Insulin Resistance; Middle Aged; Obesity; Triglycerides

This study aimed to investigate the possible therapeutic effects and active components of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on a high fat diet-induced NASH rat model. We induced NASH in a rat model by voluntary oral feeding with a high-fat diet ad libitum for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, 1 mg/kg LBP was orally administered for another 4 weeks with a high-fat diet. When compared with NASH rats treated for 12 weeks, therapeutic LBP treatment for 4 weeks during 12 weeks of NASH induction showed ameliorative effects on: (1) increased body and wet liver weights; (2) insulin resistance and glucose metabolic dysfunction; (3) elevated level of serum aminotransferases; (4) fat accumulation in the liver and increased serum free fatty acid (FFA) level; (5) hepatic fibrosis; (6) hepatic oxidative stress; (7) hepatic inflammatory response; and (8) hepatic apoptosis. These improvements were partially through the modulation of transcription factor NF-κB, MAPK pathways and the autophagic process. In a palmitate acid-induced rat hepatocyte steatosis cell-based model, we also demonstrated that l-arabinose and β-carotene partially accounted for the beneficial effects of LBP on the hepatocytes. In conclusion, LBP possesses a variety of hepato-protective properties which make it a potent supplementary therapeutic agent against NASH in future clinical trials.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Obesity Agents; Apoptosis; Arabinose; Autophagy; beta Carotene; Cell Survival; Cells, Cultured; Diet, High-Fat; Drugs, Chinese Herbal; Female; Hepatocytes; Insulin Resistance; Lipid Metabolism; Liver; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease; Obesity; Oxidative Stress; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential association between dietary nutrients and alterations in DNA methylation in a set of five candidate genes, including CD14, Et-1, iNOS, HERV-w and TNFα, in a population of overweight/obese subjects. We evaluated possible associations between gene methylation and clinical blood parameters, including total cholesterol (TC), low- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C and HDL-C), triglyceride and homocysteine levels. We employed validated methods to assess anthropometric, clinical and dietary data, as well as pyrosequencing to evaluate DNA methylation of the five candidate genes in 165 overweight/obese subjects. There was no association between body mass index and DNA methylation of the five candidate genes in this group of subjects. Positive associations were observed between TNFα methylation and blood levels of LDL-C (β = 0.447, p = 0.002), TC/HDL-C (β = 0.467, p = 0.001) and LDL-C/HDL-C (β = 0.445, p = 0.002), as well as between HERV-w methylation and dietary intakes of β-carotene (β = 0.088, p = 0.051) and carotenoids (β = 0.083, p = 0.029). TNFα methylation showed negative associations with dietary intakes of cholesterol (β = -0.278, p = 0.048), folic acid (β = -0.339, p = 0.012), β-carotene (β = -0.332, p = 0.045), carotenoids (β = -0.331, p = 0.015) and retinol (β = -0.360, p = 0.008). These results suggest a complex relationship among nutrient intake, oxidative stress and DNA methylation.

Topics: Adult; Aged; beta Carotene; Body Mass Index; Carotenoids; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, HDL; DNA Methylation; Eating; Endothelin-1; Energy Intake; Female; Folic Acid; Gene Products, env; Humans; Inflammation; Lipopolysaccharide Receptors; Lipoproteins, LDL; Male; Middle Aged; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Nutritional Status; Obesity; Overweight; Pregnancy Proteins; Triglycerides; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; Vitamin A

Increased plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) has been associated with a high consumption of fruits and vegetables. However, limited information is available on whether plasma TAC reflects the dietary intake of antioxidants and the levels of individual antioxidants in plasma. By using three different assays, the study aimed to determine if plasma TAC can effectively predict dietary intake of antioxidants and plasma antioxidant status. Forty overweight and apparently healthy postmenopausal women were recruited. Seven-day food records and 12-h fasting blood samples were collected for dietary and plasma antioxidant assessments. Plasma TAC was determined by vitamin C equivalent antioxidant capacity (VCEAC), ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assays. TAC values determined by VCEAC were highly correlated with FRAP (r=0.79, P<.01) and moderately correlated with ORAC (r=0.34, P<.05). Pearson correlation analyses showed that plasma TAC values by VCEAC and ORAC had positive correlation with plasma uric acid (r=0.56 for VCEAC; r=0.49 for ORAC) and total phenolics (r=0.63 for VCEAC; r=0.36 for ORAC). However, TAC measured by FRAP was correlated only with uric acid (r=0.69). After multivariate adjustment, plasma TAC determined by VCEAC was positively associated with dietary intakes of γ-tocopherol (P<.001), β-carotene (P<.05), anthocyanidins (P<.05), flavones (P<.05), proanthocyanidins (P<.01) and TAC (P<.05), as well as with plasma total phenolics (P<.05), α-tocopherol (P<.001), β-cryptoxanthin (P<.05) and uric acid (P<.05). The findings indicate that plasma TAC measured by VCEAC reflects both dietary and plasma antioxidants and represents more closely the plasma antioxidant levels than ORAC and FRAP.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Anthocyanins; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Blood Chemical Analysis; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cryptoxanthins; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Female; Flavones; gamma-Tocopherol; Humans; Middle Aged; Multivariate Analysis; Obesity; Overweight; Postmenopause; Uric Acid; Xanthophylls

Carotenoids as biologically active compounds, found in products of plant origin, have a beneficial impact on human health by protecting it against the development of many diseases. People and animals do not have the ability to synthesize these compounds de novo, they must be regularly supplied with food.. The aim of this study was to evaluate intake of selected carotenoids and indicate their main sources in the daily food ration in adults.. The study was conducted in autumn and spring season, in 2010-2011, among 512 adults, aged 18-97 years, from the urban environment of the central Poland. Food frequency questionnaire method was used to assess the intake of carotenoids.. The mean intake of beta-carotene, lycopene and lutein was respectively 6.3; 7.0 and 2.7 mg/person/day. Level of education was a factor which significantly influenced on all carotenoids intake. Persons with higher level of education consumed significantly higher amounts of carotenoids in relation to persons with primary level of education. It was also found statistically significantly higher beta-carotene intake by women when compared to men. Persons with evidence of overweight or obesity consumed significantly more lycopene. The main sources of beta-carotene were fresh vegetables (62%), including carrot (37%). The largest amounts of lycopene came from processed tomato (50%) and fresh tomatoes (32%). Sources of lutein were total vegetables which contributed to diet over 80%, including fresh vegetables (55%).. The main source of carotenoids in the diet of Polish adults were vegetables and their products, and the level of education was the most differentiating factor in the their total intake.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Eating; Educational Status; Female; Humans; Lutein; Lycopene; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Overweight; Poland; Seasons; Sex Factors; Urban Population; Vegetables; Young Adult

We explored the characteristics of the vitamin status in 471 patients with cardiovascular diseases, according to sex, and BMI values. All patients underwent examination of the system Nutritest-IP: studying their actual meals at home, determined anthropometric measurement, body composition, using biochemical methods evaluated the state of the protein, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, the functional state of liver and biliary tract, hemostasis, vitamin provision. The results suggest a lack of availability of patients with vitamins C and B group. The number of patients with deficient serum beta-carotene increased proportional to body mass index. The concentration of beta-carotene decreased and vitamin E - increased in blood serum proportionally to increase the degree of obesity. Thus the availability of vitamins in the blood serum depends from sex and body mass index values of the patients. These data suggest that the rate of supply of vitamins are reliable markers to assess the adequacy of the diet consumed by the content of vitamins in people with normal body weight. Appraisingly the content of beta-carotene and vitamin E in the serum of patients it should be taken into account that they have overweight or obese, and abnormality of lipid spectrum of blood serum.

Topics: Aged; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Body Mass Index; Cardiovascular Diseases; Diet; Female; Humans; Male; Meals; Middle Aged; Obesity; Riboflavin; Sex Factors; Vitamin B 6; Vitamin E; Vitamins

Diabetes, obesity, and cigarette smoke, consistent risk factors for pancreatic cancer, are sources of oxidative stress in humans that could cause mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage and increase mtDNA copy number. To test whether higher mtDNA copy number is associated with increased incident pancreatic cancer, we conducted a nested case-control study in the Alpha-Tocopherol Beta Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study cohort of male smokers, aged 50 to 69 years at baseline. Between 1992 and 2004, 203 incident cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma occurred (follow-up: 12 years) among participants, with whole blood samples used for mtDNA extraction. For these cases and 656 controls, we calculated ORs and 95% CIs using unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for age, smoking, and diabetes history. All statistical tests were two sided. Higher mtDNA copy number was significantly associated with increased pancreatic cancer risk (highest vs. lowest mtDNA copy number quintile, OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.01-2.67, continuous OR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.06-1.23), particularly for cases diagnosed during the first 7 years of follow-up (OR = 2.14, 95% CI = 1.16-3.96, P(trend) = 0.01, continuous OR = 1.21, 95% CI = 1.10-1.33), but not for cases occurring during follow-up of 7 years or greater (OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 0.53-2.45, continuous OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 0.93-1.18). Our results support the hypothesis that mtDNA copy number is associated with pancreatic cancer and could possibly serve as a biomarker for pancreatic cancer development.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; alpha-Tocopherol; beta Carotene; Biomarkers, Tumor; Case-Control Studies; Diabetes Complications; DNA; DNA Copy Number Variations; DNA, Mitochondrial; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prognosis; Risk Factors; Smoking

We evaluated the presence of oxidative stress in obese children without co-morbidities.. The study population included 68 children (30 girls, 38 boys), between 6 and 14 years of age. The levels of markers of oxidative damage (malondialdehyde [MDA], and plasma carbonyl groups [CG]) and measures of antioxidant defense, such as the enzyme glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and low molecular scavengers (erythrocyte-reduced glutathione [GSH], alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene) were determined. Children were categorized in groups by the standard deviation score of body mass index (SDS-BMI). Twenty children were non-obese (SDS-BMI< or =1.33), and the 48 obese children (SDS-BMI> or =2) were further divided into two groups: SDS-BMI> or =3 (22 children) and > or =2 SDS-BMI<3 (26 children).. The levels of MDA and CG were significantly higher (p<0.05) in children with SDS-BMI> or =3. The GPx activity was increased, while the GSH concentration was lower in obese children compared with non-obese children (p<0.01). There were no differences in serum alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene levels between groups. MDA was the sole marker of oxidative damage that was positively correlated with SDS-BMI, (r=0.35, p=0.015), and negatively with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (r=- 0.32, p=0.027). GPx was inversely related to total cholesterol (r=- 0.34, p=0.019). In multiple regression analysis, we confirmed that SDS-BMI and HDL-C were determinants of MDA.. Severe childhood obesity is associated with oxidative stress. Thus, providing foods with high antioxidant capacity in addition to a hypocaloric diet is crucial for the treatment of obese children.

Topics: Adolescent; alpha-Tocopherol; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Biomarkers; Body Mass Index; Case-Control Studies; Child; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, HDL; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Glutathione; Glutathione Peroxidase; Humans; Male; Malondialdehyde; Obesity; Oxidative Stress; Prospective Studies; Protein Carbonylation; Spain

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) mellitus and obesity are recognized risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). A common mechanism underlying an increased risk for endothelial dysfunction in these two metabolic diseases is oxidative stress.. To evaluate and compare the oxidant/antioxidant defense systems in children affected with T1D or obesity in order to determine the importance of oxidative stress before the emergence of complications.. Children with T1D (n = 20) or obesity (n = 22), without comorbidities, and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 16).. We assessed lipid peroxidation by circulating levels of lipoperoxides and malondialdehyde, as well as protein oxidation by the concentration of plasma carbonyl groups. The endogenous antioxidative defense system was evaluated by the red cell glutathione peroxidase and reduced glutathione. The serum levels of alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene were determined to assess exogenous antioxidants.. Lipid peroxidation was significantly higher in both T1D and obese children when compared with control children. However, T1D patients showed a more elevated level, because their malondialdehyde values were significantly increased with respect to obese children. Protein oxidation was present in both groups of children and did not differ between them. With respect to obese children, the glutathione peroxidase activity and exogenous antioxidants were decreased in T1D patients.. Oxidative stress is present in both children with T1D and obesity, although it is more pronounced in the former. Obese children may suffer an additional oxidative stress in the case of developing impaired glucose metabolism.

Topics: Adolescent; alpha-Tocopherol; beta Carotene; Child; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1; Erythrocytes; Female; Glutathione; Glutathione Peroxidase; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation; Lipid Peroxides; Male; Malondialdehyde; Obesity; Oxidative Stress; Prospective Studies; Protein Carbonylation; Retrospective Studies

Genetic variation in SIRT1 has been associated with body mass index (BMI) and risk of obesity. SIRT1 may be influenced by diet.. We studied the gene-diet interaction on BMI at the SIRT1 locus.. In 4575 elderly men and women in the population-based Rotterdam Study, the effect on BMI of 3 SIRT1 genetic variants (rs7895833, rs1467568, and haplotype 1) was studied in relation to dietary intakes of energy, fat, calcium, milk, antioxidant vitamins, and niacin.. There was no difference in energy or fat intakes by SIRT1 genotype. Significant interactions for BMI were shown between SIRT1 genetic variants and intakes of fat, vitamin E, calcium, and milk. Only the interactions between vitamin E intake and rs1467568 and haplotype 1 remained significant (P < 0.001) after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. Further analyses across vitamin E-intake tertiles showed highly significant associations of SIRT1 genetic variants with BMI in the lowest tertile [effect sizes (in kg/m(2)): 0.5-0.7 per allele copy; P = 1.9 x 10(-4)-5.7 x 10(-7)] with no associations in the higher tertiles.. Dietary vitamin E intake may modulate the relation of SIRT1 genetic variants with BMI. Associations of SIRT1 variants with BMI in the lowest tertile of vitamin E intake may be explained by low intake of this antioxidant vitamin or by other associated dietary or lifestyle habits. These data provide support that gene-diet interactions influence BMI. Replication of our findings and further in-depth studies of dietary patterns that modify SIRT1 may lead to clinical studies of dietary modification of SIRT1 to influence obesity.

Topics: Aged; beta Carotene; Body Mass Index; Diet; Disabled Persons; Energy Intake; Female; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Risk Factors; Sirtuin 1; Vitamin E

Assessing dietary intake in children is difficult and limited validated tools exist. Plasma carotenoids are nutritional biomarkers of fruit and vegetable intake and therefore suitable to validate reported dietary intakes. The aim of this study was to examine the comparative validity of a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), completed by parents reporting child fruit and vegetable intake compared to plasma carotenoid concentrations. A sample of children aged 5-12 years (n = 93) from a range of weight categories were assessed. Dietary intake was measured using a 137-item semi-quantitative FFQ. Plasma carotenoids were measured using reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Pearson correlation coefficients between reported dietary intake of carotenoids and plasma carotenoid concentrations were strongest after adjustment for BMI (beta-carotene (r = 0.56, P < 0.05), alpha-carotene (r = 0.51, P < 0.001), cryptoxanthin (r = 0.32, P < 0.001)). Significantly lower levels (P < 0.05) of all plasma carotenoids, except lutein, were found among overweight and obese children when compared to healthy weight children. Parental report of children's carotenoid intakes, using a FFQ can be used to provide a relative validation of fruit and vegetable intake. The lower plasma carotenoid concentrations found in overweight and obese children requires further investigation.

Topics: beta Carotene; Body Mass Index; Carotenoids; Child; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Eating; Feeding Behavior; Fruit; Humans; Lutein; Lycopene; Obesity; Overweight; Reproducibility of Results; Vegetables

Obesity is a chronic sub-inflammatory condition which is a risk factor for several cancer diseases, e.g. colon cancer. Adipose tissue secretes biologically active factors like leptin with a known pro-inflammatory or mitogenic activity. Both, chronic inflammation and an increased cell proliferation are considered to play an important role in colon carcinogenesis. Diverse phytochemicals were shown to have cell growth inhibiting effects.. The aim was to investigate whether adipocytes could mediate a proliferative capacity to HT29, a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line, and whether phytochemicals could modulate this effect.. Infranatants of adipocyte cultures from different donors were prepared and the effects of those conditioned adipocyte media (CAM) on HT29 cell growth were measured. Additionally, cell cycle progression was analyzed by flow cytometry after CAM treatment and ERK 1/2 phosphorylation was analyzed.. CAM from a subgroup of adipose tissue donors stimulated HT29 cell growth, whereas others did not. This effect seems to be mediated via the ERK 1/2 pathway. Furthermore, CAM caused changes in cell cycle distribution with a shift of HT29 cells from G1- into the S-phase. This effect could be mimicked by leptin (1 nM). Co-incubation of CAM-treated HT29 cultures with beta-carotene or EGCG did not have a significant impact on cell cycle progression, whereas genistein (30 microM) tended to inhibit the CAM-stimulated transition of cells into the S-phase.. This study confirmed the mitogenic activity of leptin in HT29 cells, although leptin secretion from adipocytes is not likely to be responsible for CAM-stimulated cell growth in our test system. The investigated phytochemicals seem to have only a minor influence on CAM-mediated cell cycle progression.

Topics: Adipocytes; Adipokines; Adiponectin; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; beta Carotene; Cell Cycle; Cell Division; Cells, Cultured; Culture Media, Conditioned; Female; Flow Cytometry; G1 Phase; Genistein; HT29 Cells; Humans; Leptin; Male; Middle Aged; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; Obesity; Phosphorylation; S Phase

Epidemiological findings have shown the rise of the prevalence of obesity in several segments of the world population, and more recent evidences point to a possible association with vitamin A deficiency (VAD). The aim of this study was to investigate vitamin A nutritional status in individuals with class III obesity in the preoperative period and 30 and 180 days after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, correlating these findings with lipid profile and body mass index (BMI).. The sample was composed of class III obese individuals, males and females, in the preoperative period (T1) and 30 (T2) and 180 days (T3) after bariatric surgery with 5,000 IU of supplementation of retinol acetate. Vitamin A nutritional status was assessed through biochemical indicators (retinol and beta-carotene serum levels), which were quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with an inadequacy cutoff of <1.05 micromol/L and >or=40 microg/dL, respectively.. Out of the 114 assessed patients, the mean age was 36.9+/-11.6 years and BMI was >or=40 kg/m2. The prevalence of VAD was 14%, being 37.5% in T1, 50.8% and 67.8% in T2, and 52.9% and 67% in T3, according to retinol and serum beta-carotene, respectively. A decrease of retinol and beta-carotene serum levels was observed with BMI increase in T1. An increase of very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDLc) and triglycerides was verified with the increase of retinol, being VLDLc in T3 and triglycerides in T1 and T2. In T1, high-dense lipoprotein cholesterol presented a positive and significant correlation with beta-carotene and a negative and significant correlation in T3.. High prevalence of VAD in the preoperative period and in 30 and 180 postoperative days, even during supplementation, with higher inadequacy of beta-carotene in all the three studied time periods, probably occurred because of its bioconversion to retinol due to the increased demand to which those individuals were exposed. It is suggested that the oral intake supplementation does not present the expected impact, and the need of assessing the nutritional status of vitamin A in the pre- and postoperative Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is emphasized. High prevalence of VAD in T1, with severity in T2 and T3, corroborates the utilization of the cutoff of <1.05 micromol/L as a VAD marker in the studied segment and reinforces its utilization as a tool in clinical practice to identify VAD in morbid obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery.

Topics: Adult; Aged; beta Carotene; Biomarkers; Body Mass Index; Female; Gastric Bypass; Humans; Lipoproteins, HDL; Lipoproteins, VLDL; Male; Middle Aged; Nutritional Status; Obesity; Triglycerides; Vitamin A; Vitamin A Deficiency; Young Adult

Carotenoid and vitamin C intakes, assessed by FFQ, have been positively associated with plasma concentrations in different populations. However, the influence of BMI on these associations has not been explored in detail. We explored in a cross-sectional study the relation between dietary carotenoid and vitamin C intakes, using a 135-item FFQ, with their plasma concentrations by BMI categories in 252 men and 293 women, 65 years and older. For men and women combined, significant (P < 0.05) Pearson correlations were observed between energy-adjusted dietary intakes and plasma concentrations (carotenoids adjusted for cholesterol) for: alpha-carotene 0.21, beta-carotene 0.19, lycopene 0.18, beta-cryptoxanthin 0.20 and vitamin C 0.36. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that the intake of carotenoids and vitamin C were significant predictors of their respective plasma concentration (P<0.01), and that BMI was inversely associated with plasma concentration of carotenoids (P< or =0.01) but not with plasma vitamin C. In addition, we observed significant interactions between BMI and the intakes of alpha-carotene and lutein + zeaxanthin, and to a lower extent beta-carotene, suggesting that these intakes in subjects with high BMI were not good predictors of their plasma concentration. The present data suggest that plasma carotenoids and vitamin C may be good markers of dietary intake in elderly subjects, but not so for alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and lutein + zeaxanthin in obese subjects.

Topics: Aged; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Body Mass Index; Carotenoids; Cholesterol; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cryptoxanthins; Diet; Energy Intake; Female; Humans; Lycopene; Male; Obesity; Overweight; Prevalence; Spain; Vitamins; Xanthophylls

This study examined the effect of dietary fucoxanthin or fucoxanthinol on the amount of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in the liver of KKAy mice, a model for obese/type II diabetes. In the first experiment, mice were fed diets containing crude fucoxanthin or glyceroglycolipid for 4 weeks. Results showed a significant increase in the level of DHA in mice fed 0.53% crude fucoxanthin, from 2.3% in control mice to 5.1% of fatty acid composition of total liver lipids. On the other hand, in mice fed crude glyceroglycolipid, the level of DHA as a proportion of total liver fatty acids remained unchanged. To clarify the enhancement of hepatic DHA, in the second experiment, KKAy mice were fed a diet containing purified fucoxanthin or its deacetylated derivative, fucoxanthinol. Results from a quantitative analysis using an internal standard showed that in mice fed 0.2% fucoxanthin, the amount of hepatic DHA was 2-fold higher than in control mice, whereas DHA levels in the small intestine remained unchanged. Furthermore, 0.2% fucoxanthinol led to 1.8- and 1.2-fold increases in the amount of hepatic DHA and arachidonic acid compared to control mice, respectively. These results indicate for the first time that dietary fucoxanthin and fucoxanthinol enhance the amount of DHA in the liver of KKAy mice.

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diet; Docosahexaenoic Acids; Female; Liver; Mice; Obesity; Xanthophylls

Topics: beta Carotene; Diet; Hand; Humans; Hypervitaminosis A; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Pigmentation Disorders

To assess relationships between energy, nutrient and food intakes, alcohol consumption, smoking status and body mass index (BMI), and serum concentrations of beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol, vitamin C, selenium and zinc.. Data on health status, alcohol consumption, smoking habits, anthropometric data and biochemical measurements were obtained in 1821 women aged 35-60 y and 1307 men aged 45-60 y, participant to the SU.VI.MAX Study. Data on dietary intake were available on a subsample who reported six 24-h dietary records during the first 18 months of the study.. Women had higher baseline serum beta-carotene and vitamin C concentrations and lower concentration for serum vitamin E, zinc and selenium than men. In women, younger age was associated with lowered mean concentration of serum beta-carotene, vitamin E and selenium. In men, only differences were observed for serum zinc, which was lower in older men. Current smokers of both sexes had significantly lower concentrations of serum beta-carotene, vitamin C and selenium, and, only in women, of vitamin E, than nonsmokers. Alcohol consumers had lower concentrations of serum beta-carotene and higher selenium concentrations. Serum beta-carotene and vitamin C concentrations were lower in obese subjects. There were positive associations of dietary beta-carotene, vitamin C and E with their serum concentrations. Age, nutrient and alcohol intakes, serum cholesterol, BMI and smoking status explained 15.2% of the variance of serum beta-carotene in men and 13.9% in women, and 10.8 and 10.0% for serum vitamin C, and 26.3 and 28.6% for serum vitamin E, respectively.. Serum antioxidant nutrient concentrations are primarily influenced by sex, age, obesity, tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and especially dietary intake of those antioxidant nutrients.

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Alcohol Drinking; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Blood Chemical Analysis; Diet; Energy Intake; Female; France; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Selenium; Sex Factors; Smoking; Trace Elements; Vitamin E; Zinc

Overweight and obesity are well-established risk factors for cardiovascular disease and decline in kidney function in individuals with existing chronic kidney disease (CKD). Conversely, their association with the development of CKD is less clear.. We evaluated the association between body mass index (BMI) and risk for CKD in a cohort of 11,104 initially healthy men who participated in the Physicians' Health Study and provided a blood sample after 14 years. BMI was calculated from self-reported weight and height. We estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by using the abbreviated equation from the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study and defined CKD as GFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (<1 mL/s/1.73 m2).. After an average 14-year follow-up, 1,377 participants (12.4%) had a GFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (<1 mL/s/1.73 m2). Higher baseline BMI was associated consistently with increased risk for CKD. Compared with participants in the lowest BMI quintile (<22.7 kg/m2), those in the highest quintile (>26.6 kg/m2) had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.45 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19 to 1.76; P trend <0.001) after adjusting for potential confounders. We found similar associations by using different categories of BMI. Compared with men who remained within a +/-5% range of their baseline BMI, those who reported a BMI increase greater than 10% had a significant increase in risk for CKD (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.53).. In this large cohort of initially healthy men, BMI was associated significantly with increased risk for CKD after 14 years. Strategies to decrease CKD risk might include prevention of overweight and obesity.

Topics: Adult; Aspirin; beta Carotene; Body Mass Index; Cardiovascular Diseases; Chronic Disease; Cohort Studies; Diabetes Complications; Follow-Up Studies; Glomerular Filtration Rate; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia; Hypertension; Kidney Diseases; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Obesity; Overweight; Prospective Studies; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Factors; Smoking; United States

Because of the potential protective function of lutein (L) and zeaxanthin (Z) within the retina and lens, a better understanding of factors influencing tissue deposition is needed. The largest fractions of L and Z are stored in adipose tissue. Thus, higher body fat content and body mass index (BMI) may be expected to influence the quantities of L and Z in the retina (measured as macular pigment optical density, MPOD).. Six hundred eighty subjects were tested. Information on MPOD, body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (n = 400, using bioelectric impedance), dietary intake (n = 280, using a food frequency questionnaire), and serum carotenoid content (n = 280, using reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography) was obtained.. There was an inverse relationship between MPOD and BMI (n = 680, r = -0.12, P < 0.0008) and between MPOD and body fat percentage (n = 400, r = -0.12, P < 0.01). These relationships were largely driven by data from the subjects with higher BMI (more than 29, 21% less MP) and higher body fat percentage (more than 27%, 16% less MP). Dietary carotenoid intake and serum carotenoid levels were also lower in subjects with higher BMI (n = 280).. Obese subjects tend to have lower retinal L and Z. This reduction may be due to decreased dietary intake of L and Z and/or competition between retina and adipose tissue for uptake of L and Z.

Topics: Adipose Tissue; Adult; Anthropometry; beta Carotene; Body Mass Index; Carotenoids; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Electric Impedance; Energy Intake; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Lutein; Male; Obesity; Retina; Retinal Pigments; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins

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

Dietary antioxidants, waist circumference, and pulmonary function were measured in the Fourth Scottish MONICA cross-sectional survey of 865 men and 971 women aged 25-64 years. Waist circumference was inversely related to forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC), even after adjustment for age, height, weight, working status, energy intake, and smoking variables in a multiple linear regression model (men: beta = -0.017 for FEV1 l/cm, p < 0.01 and beta = -0.008 for FVC, p = 0.04; women: beta = -0.009 for FEV1, p < 0.01 and beta = -0.007 for FVC, p = 0.01). After additional adjustment for waist circumference, estimated vitamin C and beta-carotene intakes were positively associated with lung function in men (vitamin C: beta = 0.102 for FEV1 l/mg/day, p = 0.03; beta-carotene: beta = 0.073 for FVC l/g/day, p = 0.02). Retinol and vitamin E were not significantly related to lung function for either sex. A case-control study of airway obstruction showed that waist circumference was significantly associated, while vitamin C could be protective. The study suggests that adequate intake of antioxidants and avoidance of increasing girth could help to preserve lung function.

Topics: Adult; Airway Obstruction; Anthropometry; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Body Constitution; Case-Control Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Female; Forced Expiratory Volume; Humans; Linear Models; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Scotland; Vital Capacity; Vitamin A; Vitamin E

Previous studies of associations between diet, obesity, and blood concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene have been equivocal. Furthermore, most studies used only body mass index (BMI) as an obesity measure.. Our objectives were to examine the associations between energy and nutrient intakes, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and serum cholesterol and serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene, and to examine the associations between different measures of general and central adiposity and serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene.. This was a cross-sectional, population-based study of 253 men and 276 women aged 46-67 y. Nutrient data were collected by a modified diet history method. Measures of obesity included BMI, percentage of body fat (impedance analysis), waist-to-hip ratio, and waist circumference. The associations between serum nutrient concentrations and the other factors were examined by multiple linear regression.. Twenty-one percent of men and 34% of women used antioxidant supplements. The mean BMI was 26.1 in men and 25.4 in women. Serum beta-carotene concentration was positively associated with serum cholesterol concentration, fiber intake, and beta-carotene intake, and negatively associated with smoking and all measures of obesity. In men, serum beta-carotene concentration was not significantly associated with central adiposity after adjustment for body fat. Serum alpha-tocopherol concentration was positively correlated with serum cholesterol, obesity, and vitamin E intake. In women, serum alpha-tocopherol concentration was also positively associated with intakes of ascorbic acid and selenium. Serum alpha-tocopherol concentration was associated with central adiposity after adjustment for body fat.. Serum beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol concentrations have different associations with diet, smoking, general adiposity, and central adiposity.

Topics: Adipose Tissue; Aged; Alcohol Drinking; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Body Constitution; Body Mass Index; Cholesterol; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Diet Surveys; Dietary Fiber; Dietary Supplements; Electric Impedance; Energy Intake; Female; Humans; Linear Models; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Selenium; Smoking; Surveys and Questionnaires; Sweden; Vitamin E

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

Topics: Adolescent; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Male; Nutrition Surveys; Obesity; Oxidative Stress; Vitamin E

Topics: Animals; beta Carotene; Coffee; Diet; Dietary Fats; Enzyme Inhibitors; Estrogens; Flavonoids; Hemostasis; Humans; Lipase; Lipid Metabolism; Lipids; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Obesity; Sterols

To examine whether serum levels of alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene and retinol were associated with risk of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).. The study design was a nested case-control study within a longitudinal population study. Serum levels of antioxidants were determined in 106 incident cases with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus detected on follow-up and 201 controls matched for sex, age and study region.. The incident cases had lower serum alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene levels than controls. The relative risk between the highest and lowest tertiles of serum alpha-tocopherol was 0.61 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.32-1.15), between the highest and lowest tertiles of serum beta-carotene 0.45 (CI 0.22-0.92). Although the relative risk of highest compared with lowest tertile of serum alpha-tocopherol was not statistically significant the inverse trend through the tertiles was (P < 0.05). The decreasing risk of diabetes was particularly evident in the elderly, women, nonsmokers and the obese. However, adjustment for serum cholesterol, obesity, smoking and hypertension abolished the associations. The adjusted relative risks in relation to serum alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene (between highest and lowest tertiles) were 1.25 (CI 0.54-2.90) and 0.94 (CI 0.38-2.32), respectively. No associations were observed relating to serum retinol.. High levels of alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene were found to be associated with decreased risk of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, but the association disappeared after adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors.

Topics: Aged; Aging; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Blood Glucose; Body Mass Index; Case-Control Studies; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Risk Factors; Smoking; Vitamin A; Vitamin E

To investigate the antioxidant status of obese children, we analyzed beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol levels in plasma and low density lipoprotein (LDL). We also analyzed the fatty acid composition of LDL as a substrate for oxidative stress. The plasma beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol levels were relatively lower in obese girls than in normal controls. However, the plasma alpha-tocopherol/lipids ratio was significantly lower in obese girls than in normal controls. Both LDL beta-carotene and LDL alpha-tocopherol levels were significantly lower in obese girls than in normal controls, although no obvious differences were observed in plasma levels. In obese girls LDL contained more polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) compared with normal controls. When the peroxidizability index (PI) was calculated to estimate the susceptibility of lipids to oxidative stress, obese girls had significantly higher PI values than normal controls. Both the LDL beta-carotene/PI ratio and the LDL alpha-tocopherol/PI ratio were significantly lower in obese girls than in normal controls. These results indicate the increased susceptibility of LDL to oxidative stress in obese girls which may promote atherosclerosis later in life.

Topics: Adolescent; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Child; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Female; Humans; Lipid Peroxidation; Lipoproteins, LDL; Obesity; Oxidative Stress; Vitamin E; Vitamins

Plasma alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene concentrations were significantly lower in obese boys than in control subjects (medians: 3.41 versus 7.46 mg/L and 0.038 versus 0.078 mg/L, respectively, p < 0.05). The differences remained significant after correction for lipidemia. These reduced plasma concentrations of the major lipid-soluble antioxidants in obese children may add to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in obesity.

Topics: Adolescent; beta Carotene; Cholesterol; Humans; Male; Obesity; Triglycerides; Vitamin A; Vitamin E

A multicenter case-control study was conducted to evaluate the relations between antioxidant status assessed by biomarkers and acute myocardial infarction. Incidence cases and frequency matched controls were recruited from 10 European countries to maximize the variance in exposure within the study. Adipose tissue needle aspiration biopsies were taken shortly after the infarction and analyzed for levels of carotenoids and tocopherols. An examination of colinearity including all covariates and the three carotenoids, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and lycopene, showed that the variables were sufficiently independent to model simultaneously. When examined singularly, each of the carotenoids appeared to be protective. Upon simultaneous analyses of the carotenoids, however, using conditional logistic regression models that controlled for age, body mass index, socioeconomic status, smoking, hypertension, and maternal and paternal history of disease, lycopene remained independently protective, with an odds ratio of 0.52 for the contrast of the 10th and 90th percentiles (95% confidence interval 0.33-0.82, p = 0.005). The associations for alpha- and beta-carotene were largely eliminated. We conclude that lycopene, or some substance highly correlated which is in a common food source, may contribute to the protective effect of vegetable consumption on myocardial infarction risk.

Topics: Adipose Tissue; beta Carotene; Biomarkers; Carotenoids; Case-Control Studies; Europe; Humans; Hypertension; Israel; Logistic Models; Lycopene; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Infarction; Obesity; Odds Ratio; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Smoking

Topics: Adult; Anorexia Nervosa; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Blood Specimen Collection; Carotenoids; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Feeding Behavior; Female; Humans; Indicators and Reagents; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Reference Values; Surveys and Questionnaires; Weight Loss

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