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PubMed2002

Analysis of xanthophylls in corn by HPLC.

An HPLC method was developed using the C-30 carotenoid column to separate and identify the major xanthophylls in corn (lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin). A photodiode array detector and a mobile phase consisting of methyl tert-butyl ether/methanol/water was used. All three xanthophylls eluted in less than 25 min. Yellow dent corn had a total xanthophyll content of 21.97 microg/g with lutein content of 15.7 microg/g, zeaxanthin content of 5.7 microg/g, and beta-cryptoxanthin of 0.57 microg/g. Commercial corn gluten meal had a 7 times higher concentration of xanthophylls (145 microg/g), and deoiled corn contained 18 microg/g, indicating that the xanthophylls are probably bound to the zein fraction of corn proteins.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

PubMed2003

Effect of extraction method on the concentrations of selected bioactive compounds in mandarin juice.

A mandarin-type citrus fruit, ponkan (Citrus reticulata), was processed by in-line, chopper pulper, and hand-press extractions to investigate the effect of extraction method on the concentrations of bioactive compounds in processed juice. Concentrations of polymethoxylated flavones (tangeretin, nobiletin, and sinensetin) and beta-cryptoxanthin in juice, and inhibitory activities against arachidonate cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenases of the juice extract were analyzed. The juice processed by hand-press extraction contained the largest amounts of nobiletin (3.56 mg/100 mL), tangeretin (4.10 mg/100 mL), and sinensetin (0.13 mg/100 mL). Concentrations of beta-cryptoxanthin were 0.66, 0.59, 0.55, and 0.50 mg/100 mL in chopper pulper, in-line (5/64 in.), in-line (8/64 in.) and hand-press juices, respectively. Both extracts of in-line juices showed greater inhibitory activity toward platelet 12-lipoxygenase than the others. The inhibitory effect of hand-press juice extract on platelet cyclooxygenase activity was remarkable among juice extracts. All juice extracts effectively inhibited polymorphonuclear 5-lipoxygenase activity at nearly the same rate.

Beverages↗

PubMed2003

Plasma carotenoid levels in relation to the Mediterranean diet in Greece.

In the context of the Greek segment of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), we conducted a cross-sectional study to examine the effects of the intake of plant foods central in the traditional Mediterranean diet on plasma levels of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lutein-zeaxanthin. Study subjects were a random sample of 45 men and 68 women, aged 30-82 years, from the Greek EPIC cohort of 27,953 volunteers. Linear regression models were fitted, with the carotenoid blood levels as dependent variables. Independent variables were selected food items, as well as body mass index, controlling for energy intake and a set of demographic factors. Body mass index was inversely associated with plasma levels of the studied carotenoids. The association was highly significant for alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, significant for lutein-zeaxanthin, and borderline significant (p approximately 0.07) for lycopene. Tomato intake was significantly positively associated with plasma lycopene, and beta-carotene. Other fruity vegetables and non-fruity vegetables were significantly positively associated, the former with alpha-carotene and the latter with both alpha- and beta-carotene plasma levels. Fruits showed a highly significant positive association with plasma beta-cryptoxanthin, as well as with beta-carotene. No association was found between the intake of olive oil or other added lipids and plasma carotenoids. We conclude that among the studied components of the Mediterranean diet, fruits and vegetables tend to increase levels of some carotenoids, but olive oil has no apparent effect.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Plasma carotenoid levels in relation to tobacco smoking and demographic factors.

Antioxidant compounds have been reported to play a beneficial role in the etiology of several chronic diseases. To examine the effects of tobacco smoking and demographic factors on the plasma levels of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and jointly, lutein-zeaxanthin, we have conducted a cross-sectional study in the context of the Greek segment of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition (EPIC). A random sample of 45 men and 68 women, aged 30-82 years, from the Greek EPIC cohort of 27953 volunteers, provided fasting blood samples and completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire on lifestyle factors. Data were analyzed using linear regression models with the studied vitamin plasma levels as dependent variables, and tobacco smoking and demographic factors as independent variables. Older persons had significantly lower alpha-carotene levels and significantly higher lutein-zeaxanthin levels, whereas females in comparison to males had significantly higher levels of alpha-carotene and perhaps beta-carotene. Tobacco smoking tended to reduce levels of all carotenoids studied and the reduction was statistically significant with respect to beta-cryptoxanthin and beta-carotene, whereas it was of borderline significance with respect to alpha-carotene.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Intake of vitamin A and carotenoids from the Italian population--results of an Italian total diet study.

The present study focused on vitamin A and carotenoids (alpha-and beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene) daily intake from the Italian total diet. The input of some food groups (cereals, vegetables, fruits, milk and dairy, meat and meat products, fish) most responsible for major and minor contributions to the daily intake of these molecules was evaluated. Furthermore the contribution to the dietary intake of beta-carotene and lutein of the most consumed vegetables in the market basket of the Italian total diet (beets, brassica vegetables, carrots, chicory, courgette (zucchini), green beans, lettuce, peas, pepper, spinach, tomatoes) was also investigated. Vitamin A daily intake was 855 mg/person/day. The vegetables food group made the greatest contribution (37%), followed by the meat and meat products food group (23%). The Italian total diet provided 14.3 mg/person/day of carotenoids; lycopene was the highest (7.4 mg/day), followed by lutein + zeaxanthin (4 mg/day), beta-carotene (2.6 mg/day), alpha-carotene (0.15 mg/day), and beta-cryptoxanthin (0.17 mg/day). Carrots and tomatoes were the main sources of beta-carotene in the diet, otherwise the daily consumption of leafy vegetables (spinach, beets, lettuce) made the main contribution to lutein + zeaxanthin daily intake.

Anticarcinogenic Agents↗

PubMed2004

Plasma carotenoid levels in Dutch men and women, and the relation with vegetable and fruit consumption.

OBJECTIVE: Fruit and vegetable intake is inversely associated with cancer risk in many epidemiological studies. Accurate assessment of consumption of these foods is difficult, and biomarkers of intake would overcome several drawbacks of currently used dietary assessment methods. Therefore, we investigated the relation between plasma carotenoids and usual vegetable and fruit intake. DESIGN: Plasma carotenoid concentrations were measured and vegetable, fruit and juice consumption was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in a random sample of 591 Dutch men and women aged 20-59 y from the MORGEN-project, one of the contributions to the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-study. RESULTS: In this sample of the general Dutch population, in both genders, relative to the other carotenoids, plasma beta-cryptoxanthin was the best indicator for fruit intake, and for the sum of vegetable, fruit and juice intake, while lutein concentrations best reflected intake of vegetables, although quartiles of intake were not consistently separated. Since levels of lycopene were not associated with any of the main food groups examined, associations with total carotenoids improved when excluding lycopene, and monotonously increasing plasma levels were seen for intakes of vegetables, of fruits, and of the sum of vegetables, fruits and juices. Several vegetable types and orange/grapefruit juice were associated with plasma levels of one of the carotenoids. CONCLUSION: Plasma carotenoids were only crude indicators of vegetable and fruit intake as assessed by a FFQ; beta-cryptoxanthin for fruit intake and lutein for vegetable intake. None of the plasma carotenoids could distinguish all four quartiles of vegetables, fruit and/or juice intake.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

No changes in serum fat-soluble vitamin and carotenoid concentrations with the intake of plant sterol/stanol esters in the context of a controlled diet.

Spreads enriched with plant sterol and stanol esters have been shown to possess similar cholesterol-lowering properties; however, their comparative capacity to alter circulating levels of other fat-soluble compounds has not been fully assessed. To compare actions of sterol and stanol ester consumption on serum fat-soluble vitamin and carotenoid concentrations, 15 hypercholesterolemic subjects were fed each of 3 fixed foods treatment diets over 21 days using a randomized crossover controlled design. Diets contained either (1) margarine (M), (2) margarine with sterol esters (MSE; 1.92 g/d), or (3) margarine with stanol esters (MSA; 1.76 g/d). No significant differences were found in initial or final serum fat-soluble vitamin and carotenoid concentrations among the 3 phases. Serum retinol and alpha- and gamma-tocopherol concentrations at baseline and endpoint and percentage changes relative to baseline for MSE and MSA were not significantly different from those of the M diet. After adjusting for total cholesterol reduction, no changes for alpha- and gamma-tocopherol were found. Serum vitamins D and K, lycopene, and lutein concentrations and percentage changes did not differ across diets. Serum concentrations at baseline and endpoint and percentage changes for alpha- and beta-cryptoxanthin and alpha- and gamma-carotene were not different among the diets, nor did serum alpha- and gamma-carotene concentrations to total cholesterol ratios differ. Serum lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin, and alpha-carotene concentrations increased over time. In conclusion, our results show no effect of consumption of esterified plant sterols or stanols on serum fat-soluble vitamin or carotenoid concentrations compared with a control diet.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

A European carotenoid database to assess carotenoid intakes and its use in a five-country comparative study.

A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and carotenoid database with information on alpha- and beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene and beta-cryptoxanthin was prepared and used to compare the carotenoid intakes in five European countries: UK, Republic of Ireland, Spain, France and The Netherlands. Eighty, age- (25-45 years) and sex-matched volunteers were recruited in each of the five countries. A FFQ and carotenoid database was prepared of the most commonly consumed carotenoid rich foods in the participating countries and the information was used to calculate frequency and intake of carotenoid-rich foods. The median total carotenoid intake based on the sum of the five carotenoids, was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in France (16.1 mg/day) and lower in Spain (9.5 mg/day,) than the other countries, where the average intake was approximately 14 mg/day. Comparison of dietary source of carotenoids showed that carrots were the major source of beta-carotene in all countries except Spain where spinach was most important. Likewise, carrots were also the main source of alpha-carotene. Tomato or tomato products, were the major source of lycopene. Lutein was mainly obtained from peas in Republic of Ireland and the UK, however, spinach was found to be the major source in other countries. In all countries, beta-cryptoxanthin was primarily obtained from citrus fruit. Comparing the data with that from specific European country studies suggests that the FFQ and carotenoid database described in the present paper can be used for comparative dietary intake studies within Europe. The results show that within Europe there are differences in the specific intake of some carotenoids which are related to different foods consumed by people in different countries.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Dietary sources of vitamin C, vitamin E and specific carotenoids in Spain.

A cross-sectional study was conducted within the Spanish cohort of the European Prospective Investigation in Cancer and Nutrition to assess the principal food sources of vitamin C, vitamin E, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin in an adult Spanish population. The study included 41446 healthy volunteers (25812 women and 15634 men), aged 29-69 years, from three Spanish regions in the north (Asturias, Navarra and Guipúzcoa) and two in the south (Murcia and Granada). Usual food intake was estimated by personal interview through a computerized version of a dietary history questionnaire. Foods that provided at least two-thirds of the studied nutrients were: fruits (mainly oranges) (51 %) and fruiting vegetables (mainly tomato and sweet pepper) (20 %) for vitamin C; vegetable oils (sunflower and olive) (40 %), non-citrus fruits (10 %), and nuts and seeds (8 %) for vitamin E; root vegetables (carrots) (82 %) for alpha-carotene; green leafy (28 %), root (24 %) and fruiting vegetables (22 %) for beta-carotene; fruiting vegetables (fresh tomato) (72 %) for lycopene; green leafy vegetables (64 %) for lutein; citrus fruits (68 %) for beta-cryptoxanthin; citrus fruits (43 %) and green leafy vegetables (20 %) for zeaxanthin. In conclusion, the main food sources of nutrients with redox properties have been identified in a Mediterranean country. This could provide an insight into the interpretation of epidemiological studies investigating the role of diet in health and disease.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Plasma carotenoid concentrations in relation to acute respiratory infections in elderly people.

A high plasma carotenoid concentration could improve the immune response and result in decreased risk of infectious diseases. However, data on the relationship of plasma carotenoid concentration with acute respiratory infections, which occur frequently in elderly people, are scarce. We investigated, therefore, the relationship of plasma concentrations of six major carotenoids (beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin) with the incidence and severity of acute respiratory infections. Baseline data from an intervention trial were used. Participants were 652 non-institutionalized elderly people (> or =60 years old) enrolled via two community-based sampling strategies in the Wageningen area of The Netherlands in 1998-99. Plasma carotenoid concentrations were divided into quartiles, the lowest being the reference. Frequency and severity of episodes during the previous 1 year, i.e. staying in bed, medical consultation and episode-related medication, were self-reported by means of a questionnaire. On average 1.6 episodes per person were recorded. The incidence rate ratio of acute respiratory infections at high beta-carotene status was 0.71 (95 % CI 0.54-0.92) as compared with the low beta-carotene concentration group. No association was observed between beta-carotene and illness severity. alpha-Carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin were not related to incidence or severity of the infections. We conclude that elderly people with a high plasma beta-carotene concentration may have a lower occurrence of acute respiratory infections.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1996

Carotenoid and tocopherol concentrations in plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and red blood cells after long-term beta-carotene supplementation in men.

To determine the effects of long-term beta-carotene supplementation on concentrations of carotenoids and tocopherols in plasma and in blood cells, fasting blood was collected from 73 randomly selected physicians from the Boston area who are participating in the Physicians Health Study (PHS). The PHS is a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. In 1982, 22,071 male physicians were assigned to one of four treatments (325 mg aspirin alone, 50 mg beta-carotene alone, both, or neither) every other day. Plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and red blood cells (RBCs) from physicians who have participated in the study for approximately 12 y were analyzed for carotenoids and tocopherols. Compared with the placebo group, the supplemented group had higher beta-carotene concentrations in plasma (1.73+/-0.16 compared with 0.54+/-0.06 micromol/L0, RBCs (91.5+/-9.7 compared with 31.2+/-4.2 pmol/g hemoglobin), and PBMCs (61.6+/-10.3 compared with 15.5+/-2.5 pmol/10(7) cells). There were no differences in other carotenoids or tocopherols in plasma, RBCs, and PBMCs between these two groups. The beta-carotene concentrations. Plasma cryptoxanthin correlated with both RBC and PBMC cryptoxanthin concentrations but plasma lycopene correlated only with PBMC lycopene concentrations. These data suggest that plasma may not be the best indicator of carotenoid status. Furthermore, long-term beta-carotene supplementation in men results in higher beta-carotene concentrations in plasma, RBCs and PBMCs without lowering concentrations of other carotenoids or tocopherols.

Aged↗

PubMed1996

Serum carotenoid concentrations and their reproducibility in children in Belize.

Suggestions that carotenoid-containing foods are beneficial in maintaining health have led to several studies of circulating carotenoid concentrations of adults. Because few data are available for children, we report serum carotenoid concentrations of 493 children in Belize. Carotenoid concentrations were determined as part of a survey of vitamin A status of children, most between 65 and 89 mo of age. Reproducibility was tested by collecting a second blood sample 2 wk after the first collection from a subset of children (n = 23) who consumed their habitual diet with no treatment during the interim. Predominant serum carotenoids were lutein/zeaxanthin and beta-carotene, which accounted for 26% and 24% of median total carotenoids, respectively. The three provitamin A carotenoids, alpha- and beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin, constituted 51% of median total carotenoid concentrations. Partial correlations of each carotenoid with fasting retinol concentration indicated that beta-carotene had the highest correlation. Concordance correlation coefficients (rc) for fasting carotenoid concentrations determined 2 wk apart were > or = 0.89 for lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and alpha- and beta-carotene. The rc for lutein/zeaxanthin and total carotenoids was lower, 0.59 and 0.68, respectively, because of higher lutein/zeaxanthin concentrations at the second sampling than at the first. The reproducibility of the concentrations suggests both that individuals have characteristic profiles and that serum carotenoid concentrations can be measured randomly over > or = 2 wk without significant bias.

Belize↗

PubMed1997

Plasma retinol and plasma and lipoprotein tocopherol and carotenoid concentrations in healthy elderly participants of the Framingham Heart Study.

Data on plasma concentrations of tocopherols and the major carotenoids in adults aged > or = 65 y, particularly in those > 80 y, are sparse. In the current study retinol, tocopherol (alpha- and gamma-tocopherols), and carotenoid (lutein/zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthins, lycopene, and alpha- and beta-carotene) concentrations were determined in 638 subjects, 230 men (aged 75 +/- 5 y) and 408 women (76 +/- 6 y), of the Framingham Heart Study. All subjects were free of clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Percentile ranges were comparable with those established in younger cohorts. Moreover, women had significantly higher plasma alpha-tocopherol and plasma and lipoprotein concentrations of beta-cryptoxanthin and alpha- and beta-carotene than did men. Lycopene concentrations were inversely correlated with age and lowest among subjects > or = 80 y. Total intakes (diet+supplements) of vitamin C and vitamin E, but not dietary intakes alone, were positively associated with plasma alpha-tocopherol and inversely associated with gamma-tocopherol concentrations. In multivariate analyses, plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations and total intake of vitamins E and C predicted 64% and 55% of the plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations in men and women, respectively. Important predictors for the majority of carotenoids included plasma cholesterol concentration, body mass index (negative effect), and smoking status (negative effect); for lycopene concentration they included cholesterol concentration and age (negative effect). In summary, percentile ranges and lipoprotein distributions were comparable with those established in younger cohorts, suggesting that overall antioxidant status is not altered in people between the ages of 67 and 96 y.

Aged↗

PubMed2000

Intake of specific carotenoids and risk of lung cancer in 2 prospective US cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Carotenoids may reduce lung carcinogenesis because of their antioxidant properties; however, few studies have examined the relation between intakes of individual carotenoids and lung cancer risk. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the relation between lung cancer risk and intakes of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, and beta-cryptoxanthin in 2 large cohorts. DESIGN: During a 10-y follow-up period, 275 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed in 46924 men; during a 12-y follow-up period, 519 new cases were diagnosed in 77283 women. Carotenoid intakes were derived from the reported consumption of fruit and vegetables on food-frequency questionnaires administered at baseline and during follow-up. The data were analyzed separately for each cohort and the results were pooled to compute overall relative risks (RRs). RESULTS: In the pooled analyses, alpha-carotene and lycopene intakes were significantly associated with a lower risk of lung cancer; the association with beta-carotene, lutein, and beta-cryptoxanthin intakes were inverse but not significant. Lung cancer risk was significantly lower in subjects who consumed a diet high in a variety of carotenoids (RR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.49, 0.94 for highest compared with lowest total carotenoid score category). Inverse associations were strongest after a 4-8-y lag between dietary assessment and date of diagnosis. In subjects who never smoked, a 63% lower incidence of lung cancer was observed for the top compared with the bottom quintile of alpha-carotene intake (RR: 0.37; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.77). CONCLUSION: Data from 2 cohort studies suggest that several carotenoids may reduce the risk of lung cancer.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Which plasma antioxidants are most related to fruit and vegetable consumption?

Substantial evidence suggests that fruit and vegetable intake reduces the risk of some cancers and other chronic diseases. While a varied diet containing fruits and vegetables may confer benefits greater than those of any single nutrient, it would be useful to have data on the plasma nutrients most influenced by fruit and vegetable intake. The authors examined the correlation between fruit and vegetable intake as measured by the abbreviated CLUE II food frequency questionnaire and several plasma antioxidants. This study includes 116 male subjects aged 35-72 years who were nonsmokers and nonusers of vitamin supplements and who provided blood samples in the CLUE II Study in Washington County, Maryland. Plasma was assayed for ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and alpha- and gamma-tocopherol. Lipid- and energy-adjusted partial correlation for the relation with fruit and vegetable intake was r = 0.64 for ascorbic acid, r = 0.44 for beta-carotene, and r = 0.50 for beta-cryptoxanthin. While this study does not address efficacy, the stronger association of ascorbic acid with fruit and vegetable intake seen here may imply that ascorbic acid is an important component of the protective effect seen for fruits and vegetables in numerous epidemiologic studies.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Plasma lycopene, other carotenoids, and the risk of type 2 diabetes in women.

The authors conducted a nested case-control study from 1992 to 2003 among US women aged 45 years or older and free from cardiovascular disease and cancer to examine the prospective association among plasma lycopene, other carotenoids, and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. During 10 years of follow-up, 470 cases of incident type 2 diabetes were selected and individually matched on age (+/- 1 year) and follow-up time to 470 nondiabetic controls. Baseline plasma levels of lycopene, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lutein/zeaxanthin were similar in cases and controls (all p > 0.05). A possible crude inverse association between plasma lycopene and risk of type 2 diabetes was attenuated upon multivariate adjustment. After control for plasma total cholesterol and known diabetes risk factors, the multivariate odds ratios of type 2 diabetes in the highest versus the lowest quartile of plasma carotenoids were 1.13 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60, 2.13) for lycopene, 1.27 (95% CI: 0.63, 2.57) for alpha-carotene, 1.10 (95% CI: 0.57, 2.13) for beta-carotene, 0.91 (95% CI: 0.46, 1.81) for beta-cryptoxanthin, and 1.35 (95% CI: 0.68, 2.69) for lutein/zeaxanthin. There was no prospective association between baseline plasma carotenoids and the risk of type 2 diabetes in middle-aged and older women.

Aged↗

PubMed2001

Serum carotenoids, alpha-tocopherol and mortality risk in a prospective study among Dutch elderly.

BACKGROUND: Although beta-carotene has shown inverse associations with chronic diseases involving free radical damage in observational epidemiological studies less attention has been paid to five other major carotenoids also showing antioxidant activity in vitro. METHODS: We studied the associations between 7.2-year mortality and serum levels of six carotenoids, and alpha-tocopherol, measured in stored serum, sampled in 1991/1992 during a health survey among 638 independently living elderly subjects aged 65-85 years. Proportional hazards regression was used to estimate hazard ratios of all-cause mortality for the lowest tertiles of serum vitamins with the highest tertiles, adjusting for possible confounding effects. RESULTS: During a follow-up period of 7.2 years 171 elderly died. The adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause mortality for the lowest tertiles of vitamins compared with the highest tertiles were between 1.02 and 1.73. The strongest increase in mortality risk was seen for beta-cryptoxanthin (1.52, 95% CI : 1.00, 2.32), lutein (1.56, 95% CI : 1.05, 2.31) and zeaxanthin (1.32, 95% CI : 0.89, 1.97) and their sum (oxygenated carotenoids: 1.73, 95% CI : 1.12, 2.67). Tests for trend were significant (P < 0.05) for all-cause mortality risk and serum levels of total carotenoids, oxygenated carotenoids and beta-cryptoxanthin. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that serum levels of individual carotenoids, particularly the oxygenated species are inversely associated with all-cause mortality and should be considered as candidates for further investigations.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Cervical tissue and plasma concentrations of alpha-carotene and beta-carotene in women are correlated.

Results from epidemiologic studies suggest that a carotenoid-rich diet may reduce risk for cervical cancer, possibly by inhibiting the progression of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, a preneoplastic lesion of the cervical tissue. Laboratory studies suggest that the mechanism may be linked to the metabolism of carotenoids to retinoic acid or retinoic acid-like compounds, which has been hypothesized to occur in the cervical tissue. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the presence of provitamin A carotenoids in biopsied samples of this peripheral tissue in human subjects and to examine the relationship between baseline concentrations of these carotenoids in plasma and normal cervical tissue in subjects who were being evaluated for possible participation in a diet intervention trial. Subjects were 13 women aged 19-41 y. With the use of HPLC methodology, plasma concentrations of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin were determined with UV/visible light detection for plasma and electrochemical detection for cervical tissue. Relationships between plasma and cervical tissue were evaluated with Pearson correlation analysis. Adjusted for plasma cholesterol concentration, plasma alpha-carotene and beta-carotene were correlated with cervical tissue concentrations (r = 0.91, P < 0.001; r = 0.90, P < 0.001; respectively). Adjusted for plasma cholesterol concentration, plasma beta-cryptoxanthin tended to be correlated with cervical tissue concentrations (r = 0.62, P = 0.058). These findings suggest that plasma concentrations of alpha-carotene and beta-carotene are good predictors of cervical tissue concentrations of these compounds in human subjects and describe a first step toward demonstrating a biological link between provitamin A carotenoids and cervical cancer in vivo.

Adult↗