Plasma concentrations of carotenoids in healthy volunteers after intervention with carotenoid-rich foods

Summary Aim of the study: The present study was conducted to investigate changes in the plasma concentration of carotenoids and carotenoid oxidation products, vitamin A, α- and γ-tocopherol, and ubiquinone-10 during a dietary intervention trial with 23 male healthy volunteers. Method: A two week carotenoid depletion period was followed by a daily consumption of 330 mL tomato juice (40 mg lycopene), then by 330 mL carrot juice (15.7 mg α-carotene and 22.3 mg β-carotene), and then by a 10 g spinach powder preparation (11.3 mg lutein and 3.1 mg β-carotene) served with main meals for two weeks, respectively. Blood samples were collected in the morning after an overnight fasting and carotenoids, vitamin A, tocopherols, and ubichinone were analyzed by reversed-phase HPLC. Results: During the tomato juice intervention, plasma concentrations of trans- and cis-lycopene increased 2-fold compared to the depletion period. Lycopene oxidation products could be demonstrated in plasma and were significantly elevated compared to control (p<0.001). After two weeks of carrot juice consumption, α-carotene and β-carotene concentrations increased 8.6- and 3.2-fold, respectively. Finally, during the spinach consumption period the lutein concentration increased 2-fold, while the β-carotene concentrations were still elevated 2-fold. Conclusions: The moderate change in dietary habits, e.g., the consumption of 330 mL of carotenoid-rich vegetable juices caused significant changes in the plasma carotenoid concentrations, indicating a high bioavailability of carotenoids from the processed vegetable products. The changes in plasma carotenoid concentrations reflected the carotenoid composition of the consumed foods. However, particularly during the tomato juice intervention period the occurrence of lycopene oxidation products and cis-lycopene isomers in plasma was eminent. The formation may be due to antioxidant reactions of lycopene in the organism. Received: 30 September 1998, Accepted: 11 November 1998     

Carotenoids in human buccal mucosa cells after 4 wk of supplementation with tomato juice or lycopene supplements.

BACKGROUND: Lycopene has been identified as a phytochemical with potentially protective health benefits. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to monitor lycopene changes in buccal mucosa cells (BMCs) in response to 3 vehicles for oral delivery of lycopene. DESIGN: Fifteen healthy subjects ingested lycopene-rich tomato juice, tomato oleoresin, lycopene beadlets (each containing 70-75 mg lycopene) and a placebo for 4 wk each in a randomized crossover design while consuming self-selected diets. A 6-wk washout period separated the treatment periods. BMCs were collected at baseline and after 4 wk of supplementation. RESULTS: Lycopene in BMCs increased significantly ( approximately 2-fold) after 4 wk of ingestion of oleoresin and of beadlets to 4.95 (P < 0.001) and 3.75 microg/g protein (P = 0.053), respectively, but was not significantly affected by tomato juice treatment. The placebo treatment produced a significant decrease in BMC lycopene concentrations (P = 0.018). We observed significant treatment differences between oleoresin and tomato juice, oleoresin and placebo, and beadlets and placebo. BMC concentrations of phytofluene and beta-carotene, which were present in small amounts in the lycopene-containing treatments, increased significantly with ingestion of these products. Strong correlations were found between plasma and BMC concentrations of lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene. In contrast, correlations between lycopene concentrations in plasma and in BMCs were weak and not significant for any treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The cellular content of lycopene and other tomato-related carotenoids with proposed beneficial health effects can be increased through prolonged supplementation.     

Comparison of lycopene and tomato effects on biomarkers of oxidative stress in vitamin E deficient rats

Background Cohort studies suggested that individuals with higher intake of tomatoes and tomato products have a lower risk of degenerative diseases. Lycopene, an antioxidant and antiproliferative carotenoid, has been hypothesized to be responsible for the health benefits of tomatoes. However, studies demonstrated a higher potential of tomatoes compared to lycopene to reduce oxidative stress or carcinogenesis. Aim of the study Our study aimed at distinguishing lycopene effect from that of tomato on oxidative stress, by using yellow tomato, a tomato variety devoid of lycopene. Methods Effects of feeding with none (control), 16% freeze-dried yellow tomato (YT), 16% freeze-dried red tomato (RT) or 0.05% lycopene beadlets (LB) were compared in a rat model with mild oxidative stress induced by low vitamin E diet (LVED). Four groups of 10 rats were fed ad libitum for 6 weeks. Physiological parameters such as ingesta, body, spleen and liver weights, cholesterol and triglycerides (TG) levels were assessed. Lycopene and vitamin E concentrations and oxidative stress biomarkers were measured in the plasma and/or liver and/or heart tissue of the rats. Results RT, YT, and LB had no effect on rats’ ingesta, body and spleen weights. RT, YT and LB had no effect on plasma cholesterol concentration. RT decreased TG level compared to control, YT and LB (P < 0.05). Rats fed RT or LB accumulated lycopene in plasma in contrast with rats fed YT. Heart level of thiobarbituric reactive species (TBARS) in rats fed RT or YT was lower than that in the control and the LB fed rats (P < 0.05). Despite similar concentrations of lycopene in plasma and liver, rats fed LB showed a significantly higher heart level of TBARS than rats fed tomatoes. RT increased erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (eSOD) activity compared with LB and nitric oxide (NO) level compared with control and LB. LB decreased ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) level compared with control, RT and LB (P < 0.05). Conclusion Our study showed for the first time that tomatoes, containing or not containing lycopene, have a higher potential than lycopene to attenuate and or to reverse oxidative stress-related parameters in a mild oxidative stress context.     

Comparative multiple dose plasma kinetics of lycopene administered in tomato juice,tomato soup or lycopene tablets

Summary. Background: Lycopene is mainly provided in tomato and tomato products in Western diet. Among other factors the systemic availability of lycopene from natural sources is dependent on release from the cell matrix as achieved by food processing. Aims of the study: The purpose of this study was to compare plasma concentration responses of total lycopene and its major isomers to dosing of the carotenoid as tomato juice, tomato soup or tablets containing synthetic lycopene. Methods: Intake of lycopene rich food products was restricted throughout this randomized, parallel group study, including 6 volunteers per group. Following a 14 day lycopene depletion phase subjects ingested 20 mg of lycopene daily for 8 days as tomato juice, soup prepared from tomato paste or lycopene tablets. Lycopene plasma concentrations were monitored throughout the depletion and dosing phases and for 22 days post-dosing and kinetics were evaluated using both empirical and compartmental modelling. Results: Irrespective of the lycopene treatment all-E lycopene was the predominant lycopene isomer, whereas 5-Z lycopene was the most abundant Z isomer. Plasma concentration response of total and all-E lycopene to dosing of the carotenoid in tablets and tomato soup was comparable but exceeded that of intake in tomato juice. No differences were noted in dose normalized 5-Z lycopene concentrations between groups. The estimates of efficient half-life were approximately 5 and 9 days for all-E and 5-Z lycopene, respectively. Conclusions: The systemic availability of synthetic lycopene from a tablet formulation is comparable to that observed from processed tomatoes (soup from tomato paste) and superior to that from tomato juice. No differences were observed in disposition kinetics of natural and synthetic lycopene. The synthetic lycopene tablet formulation used in this investigation may be of value for future clinical investigations.     

Tomato consumption does not affect the total antioxidant capacity of plasma

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of tomato intake on total antioxidant activity of plasma measured by the radical trapping antioxidant parameter assay in 11 healthy female subjects. After 7 d of a diet low in carotenoids and free from lycopene, subjects ate 25 g tomato puree daily (containing 7.0 mg lycopene and 0.25 mg beta-carotene) for 14 consecutive days. At the beginning and end of tomato supplementation, the carotenoid plasma concentration and the total antioxidant activity of plasma were assessed. Before tomato puree consumption, mean +/- SE total lycopene and beta-carotene plasma concentrations were 0.13 +/- 0.02 micromol/L and 0.24 +/- 0.04 micromol/L, respectively. After tomato puree supplementation, both concentrations increased significantly (0.57 +/- 0.06 micromol/L, P < 0.0001 for total lycopene, and 0.31 +/- 0. 04 micromol/L, P = 0.0036 for beta-carotene); however, total plasma antioxidant capacity values did not change significantly. From our results, intake of a food rich in carotenoids does not seem to modify the antioxidant capacity of plasma as evaluated by the radical trapping antioxidant parameter assay.     

Recovery of human lymphocytes from oxidative DNA damage; the apparent enhancement of DNA repair by carotenoids is probably simply an antioxidant effect

Summary Background: Many epidemiological studies have identified a protection against cancer associated with consumption of fruit and vegetables. One factor is this protection may be the enhancement of cellular DNA repair activity by micronutrients, such as carotenoids, found in these foods. Aims of the study: To measure the capacity of lymphocytes isolated from volunteers supplemented with β-carotene, lutein or lycopene to recover from DNA damage induced in vivo by treatment with H₂O₂. Methods: Healthy volunteers were given supplements of lutein (15 mg/day), lycopene (15 mg/day) and βcarotene (15 mg/day), each for 1 week, the supplementation periods being separated by 3-week wash-out periods. Blood samples were taken at the beginning and end of each supplementation, and at 1 week and 3 weeks during the wash-out period. Carotenoid levels were measured in plasma. Lymphocytes were isolated and frozen. Subsequently, they were treated with 100 μM H₂O₂ and incubated for up to 24 h; DNA damage was measured with the comet assay (single cell gel electrophoresis) after 0, 2, 4, 8, and 24 h. Results: Increases of 2- to 3-fold in mean plasma lutein and β-carotene concentrations were seen at the end of the respective supplementation periods; they returned virtually to basal levels after wash-out. Lycopene concentrations were less affected by supplementation, and were more variable. H₂O₂-induced DNA strand breaks were apparently only slowly rejoined by the lymphocytes. The rejoining of breaks in the first few hours appeared substantially faster in lymphocytes following supplementation with β-carotene, but no such effect was seen with lutein. In those individuals who showed increases in lycopene concentrations, the recovery was significantly faster. Lymphocytes that were not treated with H₂O₂ showed a transient increase in DNA breakage to about double the background level in 2 h, presumably as a result of exposure to atmospheric oxygen; this effect, too, was relieved by supplementation with lycopene or β-carotene. Conclusions: While certain carotenoids appear to enhance recovery from oxidative damage, this is probably in fact an antioxidant protective effect against additional damage induced by atmospheric oxygen, rather than a stimulation of DNA repair. Received: 6 December 1999, Accepted: 22 March 2000     

Lycopene--a natural antioxidant

Lycopene is a carotenoid found predominantly in tomatoes and tomato products. In contrast to beta-carotene it is not a precursor of vitamin A in humans. Lycopene is not destroyed during food processing, moreover its bioavailability improves. Lycopene is the most powerful antioxidant amongst carotenoids. Beside the antioxidant effect it influences the expression of various proteins (enzymes of biotransformation, cyclin D1, connexins). According to epidemiologic studies tomato lycopene may reduce the risk of prostate cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Positive effects are also hypothesized in case of other diseases such as osteoporosis, neurodegenerative diseases and hypertension. Neither adverse effects upon lycopene supplementation nor lycopene toxicity have been reported. Therefore, several arguments support the consumption of natural lycopene, whilst there are no contraindications according to the present knowledge.     

Paraoxonase 1 Q192R (PON1-192) polymorphism is associated with reduced lipid peroxidation in R-allele-carrier but not in QQ homozygous elderly subjects on a tomato-rich diet

Summary. Background: The oxidative modification of LDL is considered to play a central role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD). Paraoxonase (PON1) protects LDL from oxidation and may therefore retard the developement of atherosclerosis. The PON1–192 polymorphism is associated with diminished PON1 concentrations and an increased risk for CHD in RR-allele subjects. Aim of the study: To investigate the effect of tomato juice consumption on PON1 activity and other parameters related to oxidative stress in healthy elderly subjects. Furthermore, the PON1–192 genotype has been determined in the volunteers in order to see whether possible treatment effects are related to the PON1–192 polymorphism. Methods: Fifty elderly subjects were randomly assigned to control (mineral water) or intervention group (tomato juice). Subjects of the tomato juice group consumed daily 330 mL tomato juice for 8 weeks. Antioxidant status was measured as LDL oxidation, plasma malondialdehyde, ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and PON1 activity. The PON1–192 polymorphism was determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR). Plasma carotenoids were analyzed by HPLC. Results: Tomato juice consumption reduced LDL-oxidation and improved antioxidant status in R-allele carriers, but not in the QQ genotype group. PON1 activity increased irrespective of the genotype in both, control and intervention group. Conclusions: The changes in antioxidant status after tomato juice consumption seem to depend on the PON1–192 genotype. Healthy elderly, carrying the R-allele, could specificly reduce their higher cardiovascular risk by changing dietary habits. Received: 9 October 2002, Accepted: 28 October 2002 Correspondence to: Achim Bub     

Daily intake of a formulated tomato drink affects carotenoid plasma and lymphocyte concentrations and improves cellular antioxidant protection

The salutary characteristics of the tomato are normally related to its content of carotenoids, especially lycopene, and other antioxidants. Our purpose was to verify whether the daily intake of a beverage prototype called Lyc-o-Mato((R)) containing a natural tomato extract (Lyc-o-Mato((R)) oleoresin 6 %) was able to modify plasma and lymphocyte carotenoid concentrations, particularly those of lycopene, phytoene, phytofluene and beta-carotene, and to evaluate whether this intake was sufficient to improve protection against DNA damage in lymphocytes. In a double-blind, cross-over study, twenty-six healthy subjects consumed 250 ml of the drink daily, providing about 6 mg lycopene, 4 mg phytoene, 3 mg phytofluene, 1 mg beta-carotene and 1.8 mg alpha-tocopherol, or a placebo drink. Treatments were separated by a wash-out period. Plasma and lymphocyte carotenoid and alpha-tocopherol concentrations were determined by HPLC, and DNA damage by the comet assay. After 26 d of consumption of the drink, plasma carotenoid levels increased significantly: concentrations of lycopene were 1.7-fold higher (P<0.0001); of phytofluene were 1.6-fold higher (P<0.0001); of phytoene were doubled (P<0.0005); of beta-carotene were 1.3-fold higher (P<0.05). Lymphocyte carotenoid concentrations also increased significantly: that of lycopene doubled (P<0.001); that of phytofluene was 1.8-fold higher (P<0.005); that of phytoene was 2.6-fold higher (P<0.005); that of beta-carotene was 1.5-fold higher (P<0.01). In contrast, the alpha-tocopherol concentration remained nearly constant. The intake of the tomato drink significantly reduced (by about 42 %) DNA damage (P<0.0001) in lymphocytes subjected to oxidative stress. In conclusion, the present study supports the fact that a low intake of carotenoids from tomato products improves cell antioxidant protection.     

Lycopene Content of Tomato Products: Its Stability,Bioavailability and In Vivo Antioxidant Properties

Lycopene is a bioactive carotenoid present in many fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes constitute the major dietary source of lycopene. Recent evidence shows lycopene to be associated with several health benefits. However, very little information is available about the stability of lycopene and its bioavailability. Because tomatoes undergo extensive processing and storage before consumption, a study was conducted to evaluate the stability, isomeric form, bioavailability, and in vivo antioxidant properties of lycopene. Total lycopene and isomers were measured by spectrophotometry and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Lycopene content of tomatoes remained unchanged during the multistep processing operations for the production of juice or paste and remained stable for up to 12 months of storage at ambient temperature. Moreover, subjecting tomato juice to cooking temperatures in the presence of corn oil resulted in the formation of the cis isomeric form, which was considered to be more bioavailable. Lycopene was absorbed readily from the dietary sources. Serum lipid and low-density lipoprotein oxidation were significantly reduced after the consumption of tomato products containing lycopene.     

Absorption and DNA protective effects of flavonoid glycosides from an onion meal

Summary Background. It is widely believed that antioxidant micronutrients obtained from fruit and vegetables afford significant protection against cancer and heart disease, as well as ageing. Flavonoids are potential antioxidants found in food such as onions; information on their effectiveness in vivo is so far lacking. Aims. To determine uptake as well as in vivo antioxidant effects of flavonoids from foods. Methods. Six healthy non-obese normocholesterolaemic female volunteers in the age range 20–44 years participated in a randomised two-phase crossover supplementation trial to compare the antioxidant effects associated with (a) a meal of fried onions and (b) a meal of fried onions and fresh cherry tomatoes. Plasma flavonoids, lymphocyte DNA damage, plasma ascorbic acid, tocopherols and carotenoids, urinary malondialdehyde and 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine were determined to assess flavonoid absorption and antioxidant efficacy. Results. Flavonoid glucosides (quercetin-3-glucoside and isorhamnetin-4-glucoside) were significantly elevated in plasma following ingestion of the onion meal and the increases were associated with an increased resistance of lymphocyte DNA to DNA strand breakage. A significant decrease in the level of urinary 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine was evident at 4 h following ingestion of the onion meal. After the combined tomato and onion meal, only quercetin was detected in plasma. Endogenous base oxidation was decreased but resistance to strand breakage was unchanged. There was no significant change in the excretion of urinary malondialdehyde following either meal. Conclusion. Both meals – onions, and onions together with tomatoes – led to transient decreases in biomarkers of oxidative stress, although the particular biomarkers affected differ. It is possible that the differences in patterns of response reflect the different uptakes of flavonoids but the underlying mechanism is not understood. Received: 1 April 2000, Accepted: 1 August 2000     

Spinach and tomato consumption increases lymphocyte DNA resistance to oxidative stress but this is not related to cell carotenoid concentrations

Summary Background The increased consumption of fruit and vegetables has been linked to protection against different chronic diseases, but the dietary constituents responsible for this association have not been clearly identified. Aim of the study We evaluated the effect of spinach and spinach+tomato puree consumption on cell DNA resistance to an oxidative stress. Methods To this aim, in a dietary controlled intervention study, 9 healthy female volunteers consumed a basal diet low in carotenoids (< 600 μg/day) enriched with daily portions (150 g) of spinach (providing about 9 mg lutein, 0.6 mg zeaxanthin, 4 mg β-carotene) for 3 weeks (from day 0 to day 21) followed by a 2 week wash-out period (basal diet) and finally another 3 weeks (from day 35 to day 56) of diet enriched with daily portions of spinach (150 g) + tomato puree (25 g, providing about 7 mg lycopene, 0.3 mg β-carotene). At the beginning and the end of each period of vegetable intake, blood samples were collected for lymphocyte separation. Carotenoid concentrations of lymphocytes were determined by HPLC and DNA damage was evaluated by the comet assay following an ex vivo treatment with H₂O₂. Results During the first period of spinach consumption, lymphocyte lutein concentration did not increase significantly (from 1.6 to 2.2 μmol/10¹² cells) while lycopene and β-carotene concentrations decreased significantly (from 1.0 to 0.1 μmol/10¹² cells, P < 0.001, and from 2.2 to 1.2 μmol/10¹² cells, P < 0.05, respectively). Lutein and lycopene concentrations increased after spinach+tomato puree consumption (from 1.2 to 3.5 μmol/10¹² cells, P < 0.01, and from 0.1 to 0.7 μmol/10¹² cells, P < 0.05, respectively). The increase may be attributed to the addition of tomato puree to spinach; however, the different concentrations of carotenoids in lymphocytes registered at the beginning of the two intervention periods may have affected the results. DNA resistance to H₂O₂ insult increased significantly after both the enriched diets (P < 0.01); however, no “additive effect” was seen after spinach + tomato puree consumption. In the spinach + tomato intervention period an inverse correlation was observed between lymphocyte lycopene concentration and DNA damage, but this seems not able to explain the protection observed. Conclusions The consumption of carotenoid-rich foods even for a short period of time gives protection against oxidative stress. The results obtained seem to suggest that this protective role is not specifically related to carotenoids. However they may contribute together with other substances present in vegetables to lymphocyte resistance to oxidative damage. Received: 20 September 2001, Accepted: 18 February 2002     

Plasma carotenoid response to chronic intake of selected foods and beta-carotene supplements in men.

We determined serial changes in four major plasma carotenoid fractions (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, and lycopene) in 30 men consuming defined daily doses of carotenoids from foods (broccoli, carrots, or tomato juice) or from purified beta-carotene in capsules (12 or 30 mg) for 6 wk while fed a controlled diet. Compared with baseline, beta-carotene increased in the 30- and 12-mg-capsule and carrot groups whereas alpha-carotene increased in the carrot group and lutein increased in the broccoli group. Lower lutein concentrations in recipients of beta-carotene capsules suggested an interaction between these two carotenoids. Lycopene declined in all groups except the tomato-juice group. Total carotenoid concentration changes only reflected the large increases in beta-carotene concentrations and not the smaller changes observed in other individual carotenoids. Overall, purified beta-carotene produced a greater plasma response than did similar quantities of carotenoids from foods sources. However, some foods increased plasma concentrations of certain carotenoids.     

Relationship between dietary intake, antioxidant status and smoking habits in female Austrian smokers

Summary Background Previous studies have shown that cigarette smoke contains many oxidants and free radicals, which can increase lipid peroxidation. Aim of the study The association between smoking, food pattern, especially vitamin intake and plasma concentrations of important antioxidants, as well as lipid peroxidation products was assessed in this cross-sectional study. Subjects and methods Sixty Austrian women aged 18–40 y were enrolled in the study. Twenty-nine women were allocated to the smoking group; thirty-one women served as nonsmoking controls. Plasma concentrations of α- and γ-tocopherol, α- and β-carotene, lycopene, cryptoxanthin, retinol, ascorbate and malondialdehyde were determined by HPLC; dietary intake and food pattern had been assessed by four 24-h dietary intake recalls and one food frequency questionnaire. Results Generally, food intake patterns were not different between smoking and nonsmoking women. But, a significantly higher intake of alcohol was observed in the smoking group (P < 0.05). Plasma ascorbic acid concentration of the smoking group did not differ from the nonsmoking women. Despite the increased utilization because of the oxidative stress in smokers, this result might be explained by the high dietary intake of vitamin C in our smoking group. Significantly lower plasma concentrations of α-, β-carotene and lycopene have been partly ascribed to the enhanced metabolic turnover resulting from smoking-induced oxidative stress. Our results confirm that smoking had no effects on plasma tocopherol and plasma retinol concentrations. Conclusions The poor supply with the carotenoids α-, β-carotene and lycopene may result from the increased metabolism of antioxidants caused by oxidative stress and may be responsible for significantly higher levels of lipid peroxidation products in smokers compared to nonsmokers (P < 0.05). Received: 17 August 2000 / Accepted: 2 May 2001     

Vegetable-borne lutein, lycopene, and beta-carotene compete for incorporation into chylomicrons, with no adverse effect on the medium-term (3-wk) plasma status of carotenoids in humans

BACKGROUND: The results of epidemiologic studies have consistently shown associations between dietary intake or plasma carotenoid status and incidence of cancers and cardiovascular and eye diseases. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to assess whether vegetable-borne carotenoids (lycopene, lutein, and beta-carotene) compete for intestinal absorption and whether this affects the plasma status of carotenoids in the medium term (ie, after 3 wk). DESIGN: During 3-wk periods separated by 3-wk washout periods, 20 women were supplemented with either 96 g tomato purée/d (14.98 mg lycopene + 1.50 mg beta-carotene), 92 g cooked chopped spinach/d (11.93 mg lutein + 7.96 mg beta-carotene), 96 g tomato purée/d + 92 g chopped spinach/d, 96 g tomato purée/d + 2 lutein pills (12 mg lutein), or 92 g chopped spinach/d + 1 lycopene pill (15 mg lycopene). Plasma carotenoids were measured before and after each supplementation period. The subjects also participated in postprandial experiments in which they ingested meals containing double amounts of the supplements described above. Carotenoids were measured in chylomicrons to assess the interaction of carotenoids on absorption. RESULTS: Adding a second carotenoid to a meal that provided a first carotenoid diminished the chylomicron response to the first carotenoid. However, cosupplementation with a second carotenoid of a diet supplemented with a first carotenoid did not diminish the medium-term plasma response to the first carotenoid. CONCLUSION: Consumption of carotenoids from different vegetable sources does not diminish plasma carotenoid concentrations in the medium term, despite the finding in postprandial testing of competitive inhibitory interactions among different carotenoids.     

Multinational study of major breast milk carotenoids of healthy mothers

Summary. Background: Carotenoids in serum vary between countries and within populations with evidence suggesting a qualitative relationship to diet. Breast milk carotenoids furnish a source of vitamin A and potentially provide immunoprotection and other health benefits for infants. There have been numerous studies of milk carotenoid concentrations in undernourished populations; however, carotenoid concentrations have not previously been compared in populations of well-nourished mothers. Aim of Study: To compare concentrations of five major carotenoid groups: α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein/zeaxanthin, and lycopene in breast milk of healthy women from Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and to qualitatively compare patterns of dietary intake with milk carotenoid concentrations. Methods: Breast milk collected from healthy lactating women was analyzed for concentrations of five carotenoids and retinol and quantitated relative to total milk lipid. All determinations were performed in a single research laboratory using standardized methodology. Mothers consumed their usual diets and provided a single 24-h dietary recall. Results: Breast milk carotenoid concentrations varied greatly among countries, with the greatest differences in β-cryptoxanthin (∼ 9-fold) and the least in α-carotene and lycopene (∼ 3-fold). Breast milk retinol concentrations varied ∼ 2-fold across countries. The provitamin A carotenoids α-carotene, β-carotene, and β-cryptoxanthin as a group accounted for > 50 % of the carotenoids measured. Total breast milk carotenoids were highest in Japanese and lowest in Philippine mothers. Breast milk β-carotene concentrations were highest in Chile and lowest in the Philippines. Conclusions: Patterns of breast milk carotenoids were unique to each country and qualitative patterns reflected the dietary carotenoid supply. Received: 24 June 2002, Accepted: 12 December 2002 Supported by a grant from Wyeth Nutrition, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Correspondence to: Louise M. Canfield     

Effects of ingestion of tomatoes, tomato juice and tomato purée on contents of lycopene isomers, tocopherols and ascorbic acid in human plasma as well as on lycopene isomer pattern

Tomatoes are an important part of the diet. Lycopene, the predominant carotenoid in tomatoes, is hypothesised to mainly mediate the health benefits of tomato products. Anticancer activity of tomato products and lycopene has been suggested by numerous studies. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of ingestion of three different tomato-based foodstuffs on plasma contents of lycopene, tocopherols and ascorbic acid. Because isomers of lycopene may have different biological activities, a special interest was to look how the lycopene isomer pattern is changed depending on the matrix of tomato products. Following a 2-week depletion phase volunteers ingested 12.5 mg lycopene/d for 4 weeks comprising tomatoes, tomato juice or tomato purée. The basal levels of lycopene in plasma were comparable for all groups and decreased significantly during the 2 weeks of depletion to approximately half of the basal values. Following intervention, plasma lycopene concentration increased significantly. Conversely, supplementation did not significantly affect levels of tocopherols and ascorbic acid in plasma. Regarding isomers of lycopene, the (Z)-lycopene:(all-E)-lycopene plasma isomer ratio was significantly changed during the study for all groups. A remarkable enrichment of the relative contents of (5Z)-lycopene was observed during the depletion period, which supports the hypothesis that lycopene (Z)-isomers are formed within the human body after ingestion of (all-E)-lycopene. After dietary intervention with lycopene-rich products the isomer ratios returned to those observed at the start of the study. Further investigations will clarify the process of isomerisation in more detail.     

Plasma concentration response to drinks containing beta-carotene as carrot juice or formulated as a water dispersible powder

Summary. Background: Bioavailability of β-carotene is highly variable and depends on the source, the formulation and other nutritional factors. Objective: It was the aim of the study to compare β-carotene plasma response to b-carotene dosing with two commercially available drinks, containing β-carotene from carrot juice or as water dispersible β-carotene powder. Design In a randomized, parallel group study design, 4 volunteers per group received daily β-carotene doses of 6–7 or 18–22 mg of either drink over 6 weeks. Blood samples for determination of carotenoid and vitamin A plasma concentrations were collected before supplementation and over the dosing period. Results: Apparent steady-state β-carotene concentrations were attained after 40 days of supplementation. Consumption of the beverage containing β-carotene as a water dispersible powder resulted in a higher response of β-carotene plasma concentrations with increments of 3.84 ± 0.60 μmol/L (p < 0.05, dose: 7.2 mg/d) and 5.04 ± 0.72 μmol/L (p < 0.05, dose: 21.6 mg/d), respectively, in comparison to the carrot juice-based drink with increments of 0.42 ± 0.33 μmol/L (dose: 6 mg/d) and 1.71 ± 0.55 μmol/L (dose: 18 mg/d), respectively. β-carotene was cleared from the plasma with an apparent half-life of 6–11 days. Plasma concentrations of α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, and lycopene remained almost unchanged, whereas retinol plasma concentrations increased slightly. By contrast, with the exception of elevated 13-cis-retinoic acid in one group (21.6 mg/d, water dispersible powder), the concentrations of all-trans-retinoic acid, and the oxo-derivatives or retinoic acid were not significantly affected by b-carotene supplementation. Conclusions: The results confirm that the relative bioavailability of β-carotene depends largely on the source of b-carotene and demonstrate the superior bioavailability of β-carotene powder in comparison to that in carrot juice. Received: 7 May 2002, Accepted: 22 August 2002 This work was supported by a grant from F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Vitamins and Nutrition Research, Basle, Switzerland. Correspondence to: Prof. Dr. med. Petra A. Thürmann     

Carotenoid bioavailability in humans from tomatoes processed in different ways determined from the carotenoid response in the triglyceride-rich lipoprotein fraction of plasma after a single consumption and in plasma after four days of consumption

Tomatoes are the main dietary source of lycopene, and the bioavailability of lycopene from tomato paste is higher than that from fresh tomatoes. We investigated systematically the effect of mechanical homogenization and heating on the bioavailability of carotenoids from canned tomatoes. Further, we compared the carotenoid response in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins (TRL) after single consumption with the change in fasting plasma carotenoid concentrations after 4 d of daily consumption. In a split plot design, 17 men and women consumed tomatoes which had received minimal additional heating and 16 others consumed extensively additionally heated tomatoes (1 h at 100 degrees C). These tomatoes were not, mildly or severely homogenized. The tomato products were consumed daily (ca. 22 mg/d lycopene) for 4 d. Eleven participants provided postprandial blood samples on the d 1 and all gave fasting blood samples on d 1 and 4. Homogenization enhanced the lycopene response significantly (P<0.05) both in TRL [mean areas under the curves: 54.9, 72.0 and 88.7 nmol. h/L (SE 11.0) for not, mildly and severely homogenized tomatoes, respectively] and in plasma [mean changes: 0.19, 0.22 and 0.23 micromol/L (SE 0.009), respectively]. Additional heating also tended to enhance the lycopene responses in TRL (P = 0.14) and plasma (P = 0.17). Similar effects to those for lycopene were found for beta-carotene. We conclude that the intactness of the cellular matrix of tomatoes determines the bioavailability of carotenoids and that matrix disruption by mechanical homogenization and/or heat treatment enhances the bioavailability. The carotenoid response in plasma after 4 d intervention can be used to compare the bioavailability of carotenoids from different foods.     

Role of Antioxidant Lycopene in Cancer and Heart Disease

Lycopene, a carotenoid without provitamin-A activity, is present in many fruits and vegetables; however, tomatoes and processed tomato products constitute the major source of lycopene in North American diet. Among the carotenoids, lycopene is a major component found in the serum and other tissues. Dietary intakes of tomatoes and tomato products containing lycopene have been shown to be associated with decreased risk of chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases in several recent studies. Serum and tissue lycopene levels have also been inversely related with the chronic disease risk. Although the antioxidant properties of lycopene are thought to be primarily responsible for its beneficial properties, evidence is accumulating to suggest other mechanisms such as modulation of intercellular gap junction communication, hormonal and immune system and metabolic pathways may also be involved. This review summarizes the background information about lycopene and presents the most current knowledge with respect to its role in human health and disease.