Carotenoids from in ovo or dietary sources blunt systemic indices of the inflammatory response in growing chicks (Gallus gallus domesticus)

Lutein, a dihydroxycarotenoid, has antioxidant and immunomodulatory potential. Two 2 x 2 x 2 factorial designs examined effects of carotenoids during in ovo embryogenesis and, in the diet posthatch, on the systemic inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In both trials, breeder hens were fed a carotenoid-replete (40 mg lutein/kg) or a carotenoid-deplete diet, eggs were collected, and chicks were hatched from carotenoid-deplete or carotenoid-replete eggs. Meat-type chicks (n = 160 and n = 144, respectively) were then fed diets containing 0 or 40 mg lutein/kg diet and either injected or not injected with LPS. LPS injection increased plasma haptoglobin and Zn (P < 0.01) and reduced plasma Fe and Cu (P < 0.01). Chicks hatched from carotenoid-deplete eggs had greater changes in plasma Fe and S post-LPS than chicks hatched from carotenoid-replete eggs (P < 0.05 for each). Compared with chicks fed 40 mg lutein/kg diet, chicks fed 0 mg lutein had greater body weight losses and higher plasma haptoglobin and relative thymus, bursa, and spleen weights post-LPS (P < 0.05). Data suggest that a lack of carotenoid exposure, either in ovo or posthatch, increases parameters of systemic inflammation.     

A survey of serum and dietary carotenoids in captive wild animals

Accumulation of carotenoids varies greatly among animal species and is not fully characterized. Circulating carotenoid concentration data in captive wild animals are limited and may be useful for their management. Serum carotenoid concentrations and dietary intakes were surveyed and the extent of accumulation categorized for 76 species of captive wild animals at Brookfield Zoo. Blood samples were obtained opportunistically from 275 individual animals immobilized for a variety of reasons; serum was analyzed for alpha- and beta-carotene, lutein + zeaxanthin, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin and canthaxanthin. Total carotenoid content of diets was calculated from tables and chemical analyses of commonly consumed dietary components. Diets were categorized as low, moderate or high in carotenoid content as were total serum carotenoid concentrations. Animals were classified as unknown, high, moderate or low (non-) accumulators of dietary cartenoids. Nonaccumulators had total serum carotenoid concentrations of 0-101 nmol/L, whereas accumulators had concentrations that ranged widely, from 225 to 35,351 nmol/L. Primates were uniquely distinguished by the widest range of type and concentration of carotenoids in their sera. Most were classified as high to moderate accumulators. Felids had high accumulation of beta-carotene regardless of dietary intake, whereas a wide range of exotic birds accumulated only the xanthophylls, lutein + zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin or cryptoxanthin. The exotic ungulates, with the exception of the bovids, had negligible or nondetectable carotenoid serum concentrations despite moderate intakes. Bovids accumulated only beta-carotene despite moderately high lutein + zeaxanthin intakes. Wild captive species demonstrated a wide variety of carotenoid accumulation patterns, which could be exploited to answer remaining questions concerning carotenoid metabolism and function.     

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.     

Dietary values of astaxanthin and canthaxanthin in Penaeus monodon in the presence and absence of cholesterol supplementation: effect on growth, nutrient digestibility and tissue carotenoid composition

Penaeus monodon (mean initial wet weight 1·19 (SE 0·01) g) were fed seven diets in triplicate: a control diet (D1) without carotenoids; three diets formulated to supply 0·1 % astaxanthin alone (D2), 0·2 % astaxanthin alone (D3), and a combination of 0·1 % astaxanthin and 1 % cholesterol (D4); three diets with 0·07 % canthaxanthin alone (D5), 0·13 % canthaxanthin alone (D6), and a combination of 0·07 % canthaxanthin and 1 % cholesterol (D7). Weight gain (WG, %), specific growth rate (SGR, %/d) and survival were chosen as parameters of shrimp growth performance. Total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were chosen as indices of shrimp plasma antioxidant capacity. Meanwhile, digestibility, retention efficiency and tissue carotenoids were also investigated to determine the additive effect of cholesterol on the efficiency of astaxanthin and canthaxanthin. After 74 d rearing, WG and SGR of shrimp fed D2-D4 and D7 were higher than those of shrimp fed D1 (P < 0·05). Shrimp fed D4 had the highest survival. The apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of astaxanthin in D2-D4 were higher than those of canthaxanthin in D5-D7 (P < 0·05). Although ADC of astaxanthin were quite high (>98 %) in D2-D4 and no differences were found among them (P>0·05), the carotenoid retention efficiencies in the whole body, muscle and shell (D2-D3 treatments) were considerably low; however, cholesterol supplementation significantly improved the carotenoid retention efficiencies in the whole body, muscle and shell (D4 treatment). Accordingly, the addition of cholesterol also significantly enhanced the carotenoid contents of tissues. Shrimp fed supplemented carotenoid diets (D2-D7) had higher TAS and lower SOD, ALT and AST than shrimp fed D1 (P < 0·05). A low dissolved oxygen stress test was conducted for 7 d after the rearing trial and shrimp survival was also compared among the treatments. The survival of shrimp fed the diets supplemented with astaxanthin or canthaxanthin was higher than that of shrimp fed D1 during the stress test (P < 0·05). In conclusion, all data suggested that astaxanthin was better than canthaxanthin as the dietary carotenoid source in the commercial diet of P. monodon, and the supplement of cholesterol could positively enhance the efficiency of astaxanthin and canthaxanthin.     

The ABCG5 polymorphism contributes to individual responses to dietary cholesterol and carotenoids in eggs

The ATP binding cassette G5 (ABCG5) polymorphisms have been postulated to play a role in the response to dietary cholesterol. The objective of this study was to examine the contribution of the ABCG5 polymorphism on the plasma response to consumption of cholesterol and carotenoids from eggs. For this purpose, genotyping was conducted for 40 men and 51 premenopausal women who were randomly assigned to consume an egg (EGG, 640 mg/d additional dietary cholesterol and 600 microg lutein+ zeaxanthin) or placebo (SUB, 0 mg/d cholesterol, 0 microg lutein + zeaxanthin) diet for 30 d. The two arms of the dietary intervention were separated by a 3-wk washout period. Plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), and HDL cholesterol were determined. Because eggs are an excellent source of lutein and zeaxanthin, the plasma levels of these carotenoids were also measured in a subset of subjects to determine whether the response to carotenoid intake was similar to that seen for dietary cholesterol and to evaluate the contribution of ABCG5 polymorphism to both responses. Individuals possessing the C/C genotype experienced a greater increase in both LDL-C (P < 0.05) and a trend for lutein (P = 0.08) during the EGG period compared with those individuals with the C/G (heterozygote) or G/G genotypes (homozygotes). These results, although obtained from a small number of subjects, suggest that the ABCG5 polymorphism may play a role in the plasma response to dietary cholesterol and carotenoids.     

A 12-wk egg intervention increases serum zeaxanthin and macular pigment optical density in women

Two carotenoids found in egg yolk, lutein and zeaxanthin, accumulate in the macular retina where they may reduce photostress. Increases in serum lutein and zeaxanthin were observed in previous egg interventions, but no study measured macular carotenoids. The objective of this project was to determine whether increased consumption of eggs would increase retinal lutein and zeaxanthin, or macular pigment. Twenty-four females, between 24 and 59 y, were assigned to a pill treatment (PILL) or 1 of 2 egg treatments for 12 wk. Individuals in the PILL treatment consumed 1 sugar-filled capsule/d. Individuals in the egg treatments consumed 6 eggs/wk, containing either 331 microg (EGG 1) or 964 microg (EGG 2) of lutein and zeaxanthin/yolk. Serum cholesterol, serum carotenoids, and macular pigment OD (MPOD) were measured at baseline and after 4, 8, and 12 wk of intervention. Serum cholesterol concentrations did not change in either egg treatment group, but total cholesterol (P = 0.04) and triglycerides (P = 0.02) increased in the PILL group. Serum zeaxanthin, but not serum lutein, increased in both the EGG 1 (P = 0.04) and EGG 2 (P = 0.01) groups. Likewise, MPOD increased in both the EGG 1 (P = 0.001) and EGG 2 (P = 0.049) groups. Although the aggregate concentration of carotenoid in 1 egg yolk may be modest relative to other sources, such as spinach, their bioavailability to the retina appears to be high. Increasing egg consumption to 6 eggs/wk may be an effective method to increase MPOD.     

Some dietary fibers reduce the absorption of carotenoids in women

Dietary fiber may be partly responsible for the lower bioavailability of carotenoids from food than from purified supplements. Due to the lack of detailed information available, we investigated the effects of different kinds of dietary fiber on the absorption of carotenoids and alpha-tocopherol. Six healthy young women received an antioxidant mixture consisting of beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, canthaxanthin and alpha-tocopherol together with a standard meal. The meal did not contain additional dietary fiber or was enriched with pectin, guar, alginate, cellulose or wheat bran (0. 15 g. kg body weight(-1)). The increases in plasma carotenoid and alpha-tocopherol concentrations were followed over 24 h, and the areas-under-curves (AUC(24h)) were calculated. The mean AUC(24h) of beta-carotene was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by the water-soluble fibers pectin, guar and alginate with a mean decrease of 33-43%. All tested fibers significantly reduced the AUC(24h) of lycopene and lutein by 40-74% (P < 0.05). The dietary fiber effect on the AUC(24h) of canthaxanthin was almost significant (P = 0.059) and there was no effect on the AUC(24h) of alpha-tocopherol. We conclude that the bioavailability of beta-carotene, lycopene and lutein given within a mixed supplement is markedly reduced by different kinds of dietary fiber.     

Supplementation with beta-carotene or a similar amount of mixed carotenoids protects humans from UV-induced erythema

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

Relation among serum and tissue concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin and macular pigment density

BACKGROUND: Lutein and zeaxanthin are the only carotenoids in the macular region of the retina (referred to as macular pigment [MP]). Foods that are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin can increase MP density. Response to dietary lutein and zeaxanthin in other tissues has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine tissue responses to dietary lutein and zeaxanthin and relations among tissues in lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations. DESIGN: Seven subjects consumed spinach and corn, which contain lutein and zeaxanthin, with their daily diets for 15 wk. At 0, 4, 8, and 15 wk and 2 mo after the study, serum, buccal mucosa cells, and adipose tissue were analyzed for carotenoids, and MP density was measured. RESULTS: Serum and buccal cell concentrations of lutein increased significantly from baseline during dietary modification. Serum zeaxanthin concentrations were greater than at baseline only at 4 wk, whereas buccal cell and adipose tissue concentrations of zeaxanthin did not change. Adipose tissue lutein concentrations peaked at 8 wk. Changes in adipose tissue lutein concentration were inversely related to the changes in MP density, suggesting an interaction between adipose tissue and retina in lutein metabolism. To investigate the possibility of tissue interactions, we examined cross-sectional relations among serum, tissue, and dietary lutein concentrations, anthropometric measures, and MP density in healthy adults. Significant negative correlations were found between adipose tissue lutein concentrations and MP for women, but a significant positive relation was found for men. CONCLUSION: Sex differences in lutein metabolism may be an important factor in tissue interactions and in determining MP density.     

Relation between dietary intake, serum concentrations, and retinal concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin in adults in a Midwest population.

BACKGROUND: Information on concentrations of retinal carotenoids (macular pigment, or MP) is of particular interest because MP protects against age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the United States. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the relation between dietary intake, blood concentrations, and retinal concentrations of carotenoids in a large group of volunteers. DESIGN: Two hundred eighty volunteers in the Indianapolis area completed health and diet questionnaires, donated a blood sample, and participated in MP density assessment to determine retinal carotenoid status. Dietary intake was assessed by food-frequency questionnaire. Serum concentrations of lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene were measured by HPLC. MP optical density (MPOD) was determined psychophysically with a 460-nm, 1 degrees test stimulus. RESULTS: Average MPOD was 0.21 +/- 0.13. Average intakes of lutein + zeaxanthin and beta-carotene were 1101 +/- 838 and 2935 +/- 2698 microg/d, respectively. Although several key dietary intake variables (eg, lutein + zeaxanthin and beta-carotene) differed by sex, no significant sex differences were found in either serum concentrations of lutein and zeaxanthin or MPOD. Serum beta-carotene concentrations were significantly higher in women than in men. Serum lutein + zeaxanthin and dietary intake of lutein + zeaxanthin were significantly correlated and significantly related to variations in MPOD (r = 0.21, P < 0.001, and r = 0.25, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Retinal carotenoids can be measured in epidemiologic studies. In this study, MPOD was associated with lutein + zeaxanthin in the diet and the serum. Retinal concentrations, however, were influenced by other factors as well. To understand the effect of dietary lutein + zeaxanthin intake on the retina and risk of age-related eye disease, future studies should include measures of macular concentrations of these pigments.     

Serum carotenoid depletion follows first-order kinetics in healthy adult women fed naturally low carotenoid diets

Dietary intakes of carotenoids are highly variable in human populations as are serum carotenoid concentrations. However, there are few controlled data relating carotenoid intake to concentration. Most of the data that are available are from measurements of the absorption and decay of large pharmacologic doses of carotenoids, and are therefore of unknown physiologic relevance. Our objective was to determine the half-life (t(1/2)) of the most abundant carotenoids in blood serum from healthy adult women living under controlled conditions. As part of two carotenoid isotopic studies, we measured serum concentrations of beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin and lycopene in 19 healthy young adult women that were fed controlled low carotenoid diets for approximately 10 wk. All other nutrients (vitamins A, E and C) were provided at 100-150% of the 1989 U.S. recommended dietary allowance levels. Exercise and activities were controlled throughout the studies to simulate usual activity patterns. Carotenoid concentrations were measured by reversed-phase HPLC. Serum carotenoid concentration decreases during depletion followed first-order kinetics. The half-lives determined in decreasing order were as follows: lutein (76 d) > alpha-carotene (45 d) = beta-cryptoxanthin (39 d) = zeaxanthin (38 d) = beta-carotene (37 d) > lycopene (26 d). Half-lives were unrelated to physical or demographic characteristics such as body mass, body fat, racial background or age in these relatively homogeneous groups. Carotenoids decreased by similar first-order mechanisms, although the rates differed for individual carotenoids.     

Effects of methylmercury exposure on the immune function of juvenile common loons (Gavia immer)

We conducted a dose-response laboratory study to quantify the level of exposure to dietary Hg, delivered as methylmercury chloride (CH3HgCl), that is associated with suppressed immune function in captive-reared common loon (Gavia immer) chicks. We used the phytohemagglutinin (PHA) skin test to assess T-lymphocyte function and the sheep red blood cell (SRBC) hemagglutination test to measure antibody-mediated immunity. The PHA stimulation index among chicks receiving dietary Hg treatment did not differ significantly from those of chicks on the control diet (p = 0.15). Total antibody (immunoglobulin [Ig] M [primary antibody] + IgG [secondary response]) production to the SRBC antigen in chicks treated with dietary methylmercury (MeHg), however, was suppressed (p = 0.04) relative to chicks on control diets. Analysis indicated suppression of total Ig production (p = 0.025 with comparisonwise alpha level = 0.017) between control and 0.4 microg Hg/g wet food intake treatment groups. Furthermore, the control group exhibited a higher degree of variability in antibody response compared to the Hg groups, suggesting that in addition to reducing the mean response, Hg treatment reduced the normal variation attributable to other biological factors. We observed bursal lymphoid depletion in chicks receiving the 1.2 microg Hg/g treatment (p = 0.017) and a marginally significant effect (p = 0.025) in chicks receiving the 0.4 microg Hg/g diet. These findings suggest that common loon chick immune systems may be compromised at an ecologically relevant dietary exposure concentration (0.4 microg Hg/g wet wt food intake). We also found that chicks hatched from eggs collected from low-pH lakes exhibited higher levels of lymphoid depletion in bursa tissue relative to chicks hatched from eggs collected from neutral-pH lakes.     

Eicosapentaenoic acid inhibits the growth of liver preneoplastic lesions and alters membrane phospholipid composition and peroxisomal beta-oxidation

This study investigates the effect of dietary carotenoids on pim-1 gene expression in mouse splenocytes. Female BALB/c mice were fed 0%, 0.02%, or 0.4% astaxanthin, beta-carotene, and lutein for two weeks. Plasma and liver were obtained for the analysis of carotenoids. Splenocytes were isolated and cultured in the presence of concanavalin A, and the level of pim-1 mRNA was determined by Northern blot analysis. None of the carotenoids were detectable in the plasma and liver of unsupplemented mice. In plasma the concentration of astaxanthin (4.9-54.7 mumol/l) was dramatically higher than that of lutein (1.4-2.0 mumol/l) and beta-carotene (0.1-0.7 mumol/l). Carotenoid uptake by the spleen but not the liver reflected that observed in plasma. In mice fed 0.4% of each carotenoid, the absolute concentration of the carotenoid in the liver was highest for astaxanthin (24 nmol/g) followed by beta-carotene (7.5 nmol/g) and lutein (1.58 nmol/g). Mice fed lutein showed a dose-related increase in pim-1 mRNA expression. The steady-state level of pim-1 mRNA in mice fed 0.4% lutein was sixfold higher than in mice fed 0.02% lutein. In contrast, dietary astaxanthin and beta-carotene did not affect pim-1 expression. Therefore, an increase in pim-1 mRNA was observed in splenocytes stimulated with concanavalin A in lutein-fed mice. This appears to be a unique effect of lutein and may be associated with its antitumor activity observed in vivo.     

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.     

Carotenoid interactions

Interactions between carotenoids during absorption and during postabsorptive metabolism have been demonstrated or suggested in animal and human feeding or supplementation studies, as well as in in vitro studies of intestinal ß-carotene cleavage. Much of the evidence suggests an interaction between ß-carotene and oxycarotenoids such as canthaxanthin and lutein, and between the hydrocarbon carotenoids ß-carotene and lycopene. The evidence is equivocal, however, with discrepant findings between studies, both in magnitude and in direction of the interactions observed. This review discusses studies of carotenoid interactions and explores the possible underlying mechanisms and implications of these interactions. The most likely explanations for carotenoid interactions appear to be competition for incorporation into micelles, carotenoid exchange between lipoproteins in the postprandial state, and inhibition of provitamin A (β-carotene) cleavage.     

Canthaxanthin supplementation alters antioxidant enzymes and iron concentration in liver of Balb/c mice

The 4,4'-diketo-beta-carotene, canthaxanthin, alters tocopherol status when fed to Balb/c mice, suggesting an involvement of carotenoids in the modulation of oxidative stress in vivo. We investigated further the modifications induced by an oral administration of canthaxanthin on lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes and iron status in liver of Balb/c mice. Female 6-wk-old Balb/c mice were randomly divided into two groups (n = 10/group). The control group (C) received olive oil alone (vehicle) and the canthaxanthin-treated group (Cx) received canthaxanthin at a dose of 14 microg/(g body wt.d). The 15-d canthaxanthin treatment resulted in carotenoid incorporation but did not modify lipid peroxidation as measured by endogenous production of malondialdehyde (MDA). However, glutathione peroxidase activity was 35% lower (P<0.01) and catalase (59%, P<0.005) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) (28%, P<0.05) activities were higher in canthaxanthin-treated mice than in controls. Moreover, carotenoid feeding caused a significant (P<0.05) overexpression of the MnSOD gene; mRNA levels of the enzyme were greater in treated mice than in controls. Concomitantly, a 27% (P<0.05) greater iron concentration was found in liver from canthaxanthin-treated mice compared with controls. These findings support the hypothesis that canthaxanthin alters the protective ability of tissues against oxidative stress in vivo.     

Lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations in plasma after dietary supplementation with egg yolk.

BACKGROUND: The food matrix in which carotenoids are found affects their bioavailability. Lutein and zeaxanthin are abundant in egg yolks and accumulate in the macular region of the retina, where they may affect visual function. OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether plasma lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations are elevated after dietary supplementation with egg yolk. DESIGN: Eleven moderately hypercholesterolemic men and women consumed 2 separate baseline diets, which contained 29-33% of energy as total fat, with 20% of energy as either beef tallow or corn oil. These diets were supplemented with cooked chicken egg yolks (1.3 egg yolks/d for an intake of 10.4 MJ). Each subject consumed all 4 diets. Each diet was consumed for 4.5 wk, with a washout period of >/=2 wk between diet phases. At the end of each diet phase, fasting morning plasma samples were collected and stored for carotenoid analysis by HPLC. Commercial chicken egg yolks were analyzed for carotenoids and cholesterol. RESULTS: Egg yolk supplementation of the beef tallow diet increased plasma lutein by 28% (P < 0.05) and zeaxanthin by 142% (P < 0.001); supplementation of the corn oil diet increased plasma lutein by 50% (P < 0.05) and zeaxanthin by 114% (P < 0.001). Changes in plasma lycopene and beta-carotene were variable, with no consistent trend. Egg yolk supplementation increased plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations by 8-11% (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Egg yolk is a highly bioavailable source of lutein and zeaxanthin. The benefit of introducing these carotenoids into the diet with egg yolk is counterbalanced by potential LDL-cholesterol elevation from the added dietary cholesterol.     

Plasma concentrations of carotenoids and vitamin C are better correlated with dietary intake in normal weight than overweight and obese elderly subjects

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.     

中国六地区母血和脐带血中类胡萝卜素含量研究

目的 调查中国六个地区的产妇静脉血浆和脐带血浆中包括叶黄素、玉米黄质、β-隐黄质、β-胡萝卜素及番茄红素五种类胡萝卜素含量,分析母血和脐血中类胡萝卜素含量及构成比差异。方法 在成都、上海、天津、广州、长春、兰州六个地区招募单胎足月分娩的健康产妇共180例,收集产妇分娩时的静脉血及其初生儿的脐带静脉血,高速离心取上层血浆,采用HPLC法测定血浆中的类胡萝卜素含量。结果 母血中五种类胡萝卜素的含量均远高于脐血（Z1=-11.635,Z2=-11.635,Z3=-11.635,Z4=-11.634,Z5=-11.632,P<0.001）,其中,母血中的叶黄素、玉米黄质和β-隐黄质浓度约为脐血中的5~7倍,而β-胡萝卜素和番茄红素浓度约为脐血中的15~17倍。脐血与母血中的五种类胡萝卜素浓度呈正相关（r1=0.670,r2=0.553,r3=0.767,r4=0.727,r5=0.563,P<0.001）。叶黄素是脐血中最主要的类胡萝卜素,占比约50%。母血和脐血中类胡萝卜素含量与母体因素如年龄、孕期增重、孕前BMI和产前BMI存在弱相关。结论 脐血中类胡萝卜素含量主要受母血中类胡萝卜素含量的影响。叶黄素是母血和脐血中最主要的类胡萝卜素,提示了其在生命早期对胎儿的生长发育的重要性。     

Carotenoid intakes, assessed by dietary questionnaire, are associated with plasma carotenoid concentrations in an elderly population

High intakes of fruits and vegetables and of carotenoids are associated with a lower risk for a variety of chronic diseases. It is therefore important to test the validity of dietary questionnaires that assess these intakes. We compared intakes of five carotenoids, as calculated from responses to the Willett 126-item food-frequency questionnaire, with corresponding biochemical measures. Subjects included 346 women and 201 men, aged 67-93 y, in the Framingham Heart Study. Unadjusted correlations were higher among women than men as follows: alpha-carotene 0.33 and 0.18, beta-carotene, 0.36 and 0.25; beta-cryptoxanthin, 0.44 and 0.32; lycopene, 0.35 and 0.21; and lutein + zeaxanthin, 0.27 and 0.10, respectively. Adjustment for age, energy intake, body mass index (BMI, kg/m2), plasma cholesterol concentrations and smoking reduced the gender differences, respectively, to the following: alpha-carotene 0.30 and 0.28; beta-carotene, 0.34 and 0.31; beta-cryptoxanthin, 0.45 and 0.36; lycopene, 0.36 and 0.31; and lutein + zeaxanthin, 0.24 and 0.14. Plots of adjusted mean plasma carotenoid concentration by quintile of respective carotenoid intake show apparent greater responsiveness among women, compared with men, to dietary intake of alpha- and beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin, but similar blood-diet relationships for lycopene and lutein + zeaxanthin. Reported daily intake of fruits and vegetables correlated most strongly with plasma beta-cryptoxanthin and beta-carotene among women and with plasma alpha- and beta-carotene among men. With the exception of lutein + zeaxanthin, this dietary questionnaire does provide reasonable rankings of carotenoid status among elderly subjects, with the strongest correlations for beta-cryptoxanthin. Appropriate adjustment of confounders is necessary to clarify these associations among men.