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A longitudinal study of pre-pregnancy antioxidant levels and subsequent perinatal outcomes in black and white women: The CARDIA Study.
Harville, EW, Lewis, CE, Catov, JM, Jacobs, DR, Gross, MD, Gunderson, EP
PloS one. 2020;(2):e0229002
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although protective associations between dietary antioxidants and pregnancy outcomes have been reported, randomized controlled trials of supplementation have been almost uniformly negative. A possible explanation is that supplementation during pregnancy may be too late to have a beneficial effect. Therefore, we examined the relationship between antioxidant levels prior to pregnancy and birth outcomes. METHODS AND FINDINGS Serum carotenoids and tocopherols were assayed in fasting specimens at 1985-86 (baseline) and 1992-1993 (year 7) from 1,215 participants in Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study. An interviewer-administered quantitative food-frequency questionnaire assessed dietary intake of antioxidants. Pregnancy outcome was self-reported at exams every 2 to 5 years. Linear and logistic regression modeling was used to assess relationships of low birthweight (LBW; <2,500 g), continuous infant birthweight, preterm birth (PTB; <37 weeks) and length of gestation with antioxidant levels adjusted for confounders, as well as interactions with age and race. RESULTS In adjusted models, lycopene was associated with higher odds of LBW (adjusted odds ratio for top quartile, 2.15, 95% confidence interval 1.14, 3.92) and shorter gestational age (adjusted beta coefficient -0.50 weeks). Dietary intake of antioxidants was associated with lower birthweight, while supplement use of vitamin C was associated with higher gestational age (0.41 weeks, 0.01, 0.81). CONCLUSIONS Higher preconception antioxidant levels are not associated with better birth outcomes.
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Changes in dietary intake, plasma carotenoids and erythrocyte membrane fatty acids in breast cancer survivors after a lifestyle intervention: results from a single-arm trial.
Buckland, G, Travier, N, Arribas, L, Del Barco, S, Pernas, S, Zamora, E, Bellet, M, Cirauqui, B, Margelí, M, Muñoz, M, et al
Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association. 2019;(4):468-479
Abstract
BACKGROUND The influence of nutrition on breast cancer prognosis is still inconclusive and therefore dietary interventions incorporating dietary biomarkers are needed to confirm compliance with dietary goals and clarify biological mechanisms. The present study assessed whether a lifestyle intervention in breast cancer survivors could affect dietary biomarkers of fruit and vegetables and fatty acids. METHODS In this phase II single-arm trial, 37 overweight/obese early stage breast cancer patients completed a 12-week diet and exercise intervention. The intervention involved 1-h weekly diet sessions delivered by a dietician and 75-min bi-weekly physical activity sessions of moderate-to-high intensity led by trained monitors. Before and after the intervention, three 24-h dietary recalls were carried out to calculate nutrient intakes and, in addition, blood samples were taken to measure plasma carotenoids, vitamin E and retinol concentrations and erythrocyte membrane fatty acid (EFA) composition. Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to assess changes in dietary and biomarkers measurements over the intervention period. RESULTS After the intervention, there was a significant increase in the intake of dietary carotenoids (+15.1% compared to baseline) but not plasma carotenoids levels (+6.3%). Regarding the EFA levels, we observed a significant decrease in percentage of saturated fatty acids (-1.4%) and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (-2.9%) and an increase in monounsaturated fatty acids (1.7%) and total and long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (by 13.1% and 13.7%, respectively). A favourable decrease in the ratio of long-chain n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (-9.1%) was also observed. CONCLUSIONS After a short-term diet and exercise intervention in overweight/obese breast cancer survivors, we observed significant changes in dietary nutrients and fatty acid biomarkers, suggesting positive dietary changes that could be relevant for breast cancer prognosis.
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Carotenoids, fatty acids and disease burden in obese minority adolescents with asthma.
Tobias, TAM, Wood, LG, Rastogi, D
Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2019;(6):838-846
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Paediatric obesity-related asthma causes high disease burden, is associated with metabolic abnormalities, has few therapeutic options, and disproportionately affects urban minority children. Although poor diet quality is linked to asthma, the association of nutritional status with disease burden among children with obesity-related asthma is not well understood. OBJECTIVE To quantify nutritional status, defined as concentrations of serum carotenoids and n-3 fatty acids, and its association with pulmonary function and metabolic markers among obese asthmatic children. METHODS We quantified serum carotenoids and fatty acids in a study cohort of 158 urban minority adolescents including 39 obese asthmatics, 39 healthy weight asthmatics, 38 obese controls and 42 healthy weight controls and compared between the groups. We correlated carotenoid and fatty acid levels with pulmonary function indices and with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. RESULTS Mean total carotenoids were lowest in obese asthmatic children (0.41 μg/mL), lower than healthy weight asthmatics (0.52 μg/mL, P < 0.05) and healthy weight controls (0.60 μg/mL, P < 0.001). n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) ratio also differed between the groups (P < 0.05). Total carotenoids positively correlated with per cent-predicted FEV1 and inversely correlated with insulin resistance among obese asthmatics only. n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio inversely correlated with per cent-predicted FEV1 in obese asthmatics. CONCLUSIONS & CLINICAL RELEVANCE Our findings suggest that carotenoids, which are lowest in obese asthmatic children, may have protective effects on metabolic health and pulmonary function among obese asthmatic children. Similarly, n-3 PUFA appear to be protective for pulmonary function.
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Serum Carotenoids and Risks of Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy in a Chinese Population Sample.
She, C, Shang, F, Zhou, K, Liu, N
Current molecular medicine. 2017;(4):287-297
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are associated with oxidative stress and carotenoids have antioxidant properties. This study aimed to test the relationship between serum carotenoid concentrations and the risk for DM and DR. METHODS This is a cross-sectional study of the Chinese urban population. A total of 747 subjects, consisting of 272 DR patients, 190 diabetic patients without retinopathy, and 285 non-diabetes mellitus healthy controls, were recruited to this study. Demographic and lifestyle characteristics were ascertained by questionnaire. General physical and ophthalmic examinations were completed for all participants. Serum carotenoids were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The associations of serum carotenoids with DM and DR were assessed by logistic regression with adjustment of known risk factors. The correlation analyses of serum carotenoids with the candidate influence factors were assessed using the single variable linear regression. RESULTS Both pro-vitamin A (PVA) carotenoids and non-PVA carotenoids in the serum were measured and compared between different groups. Levels of α-carotene were significantly lower in DR patients and β-carotene were significantly lower in DM patients as compared to non DM healthy control group. In contrast, levels of β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin were comparable among different groups. After adjusting for confounding factors, β-carotene concentration was associated with reduced risk for DM (OR (95%CI): 0.56 (0.34, 0.91), P=0.02) and α-carotene was associated with reduced risk for DR in non-smokers (OR (95%CI): 0.41 (0.17, 0.99), P=0.048). No significant association was found between hemoglobin A1c and any carotenoids (P>0.05). Significantly associations with serum carotenoids were found in age, sex, BMI, smoking, and exercise (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Serum β-carotene may have a protective effect on DM and α-carotene may be a protective factor for DR in non-smokers.
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Lycopene can reduce prostate-specific antigen velocity in a phase II clinical study in Chinese population.
Zhang, X, Yang, Y, Wang, Q
Chinese medical journal. 2014;(11):2143-6
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies have shown that lycopene has anti-prostate cancer effect. In vitro tests also confirmed that it can promote apoptosis of prostate cancer cells. We investigated the effect of whole-tomato supplement lycopene on the prostate-specific antigen velocity in selected prostate cancer patients. METHODS Twenty selected prostate cancer patients were given whole-tomato supplement lycopene 10 mg per day for about 6 months. Blood samples of patients were collected weekly to measure serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values. PSA velocity slope, which reflects the change of PSA, and the degree of change were also calculated. By comparing the values of average PSA velocity slope (rise or fall of PSA) before and after the administration of lycopene, the effect of lycopene can be evaluated. Blood chemistry analysis was regular followed as safety control. RESULTS Three patients in the research group withdrew within 3 weeks because of inability to conform. The rest 17 patients continued for an average period of 6 months. Two patients withdrew because of cancer progression (PSA rise) who later received active treatment. The average fall in PSA was equivalent to 2.56% over (i.e. an average slope/d of -0.000 28) the first 3 months. In the last 3 months, average fall in PSA was equivalent to 31.58% (i.e. an average slope/d of -0.003 51). The Wilcoxon rank-sum test showed a statistically significant decrease of PSA velocity slope overall (P = 0.000 9). Analysis of the PSA doubling time (pre- vs. post-treatment) showed a median increase over 3 months but this was not statistically significant (P = 0.21). No toxic side effect was observed during the whole process. The results indicate that the average PSA change is "decline" in patients, and the degree of the decline is accelerated. CONCLUSION Administration of lycopene was able to reduce PSA velocity in this study group.
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Crocin prevents sesamol-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in human platelets.
Thushara, RM, Hemshekhar, M, Paul, M, Shanmuga Sundaram, M, Shankar, RL, Kemparaju, K, Girish, KS
Journal of thrombosis and thrombolysis. 2014;(3):321-30
Abstract
Recent studies have reported the platelet proapoptotic propensity of plant-derived molecules such as, resveratrol, thymoquinone, andrographolide and gossypol. Meanwhile, there were also reports of phytochemicals such as cinnamtannin B1, which shows antiapoptotic effect towards platelets. Platelets are mainly involved in hemostasis, thrombosis and wound healing. However, altered platelet functions can have serious pathological outcomes that include cardiovascular diseases. Platelets are sensitive to external and internal stimuli including therapeutic and dietary components. The anuclear platelets do undergo apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway. However, exaggerated rate of platelet apoptosis could lead to thrombocytopenia and other bleeding disorders. The present study deals with ameliorative efficacy of crocin on sesamol-induced platelet apoptosis. The antiapoptotic property of crocin and the proapoptotic tendency of sesamol in platelets were previously demonstrated. Therefore, it was interesting to see how these two compounds would interact and wield their effects on human platelets. Crocin effectively inhibited sesamol-induced oxidative stress on platelets, which was evidenced by the measurement of endogenously generated reactive oxygen species, particularly hydrogen peroxide, and changes in thiol levels. Further, crocin abrogated sesamol-induced biochemical events of apoptosis in platelets, which include intracellular calcium mobilization, changes in mitochondrial membrane integrity, cytochrome c release, caspase activity and phosphatidylserine externalization. Even though sesamol has proapoptotic effects on platelets, its anti-platelet activity cannot be neglected. Thus, the study proposes that sesamol could be supplemented with crocin, an approach that could not only abolish the toxic effects of sesamol on platelets, but also enhance the quality of treatment due to their synergistic action.
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Alcohol consumption decreases the protection efficiency of the antioxidant network and increases the risk of sunburn in human skin.
Darvin, ME, Sterry, W, Lademann, J, Patzelt, A
Skin pharmacology and physiology. 2013;(1):45-51
Abstract
In recent years, epidemiological data has demonstrated that alcohol consumption is a risk factor for sunburn, melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer. We hypothesized that if the concentration of the antioxidants in the skin has already decreased due to alcohol consumption, then an adequate neutralization of the free radicals induced by ultraviolet light cannot be performed. Based on this hypothesis, we determined the carotenoid concentration in the skin and the minimal erythema dose (MED) of 6 male human volunteers before and after consumption of alcohol or alcohol and orange juice combined. The results showed a significant decrease in the carotenoid concentration in the skin and the MED after alcohol consumption, but no significant decrease after a combined intake of alcohol and orange juice.
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Comparison of high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography/photo-diode array detection for the quantitation of carotenoids, retinyl esters, α-tocopherol and phylloquinone in chylomicron-rich fractions of human plasma.
Kopec, RE, Schweiggert, RM, Riedl, KM, Carle, R, Schwartz, SJ
Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM. 2013;(12):1393-402
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Abstract
RATIONALE Bioavailability of essential lipophilic micronutrients and carotenoids is of utmost interest for human health, as the consumption of these compounds may help alleviate major nutritional deficiencies, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. High-performance liquid chromatography/photo-diode array detection (HPLC-PDA) and high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS) were compared for the quantitative analysis of α- and β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene, α-tocopherol, phylloquinone, and several retinyl esters from chylomicron-containing triglyceride rich lipoprotein (TRL) fractions of human plasma obtained from two clinical trials. METHODS After selecting an efficient extraction method for the analytes, both the HPLC/PDA and the HPLC/MS/MS methods were developed and several parameters validated using an HP 1200 series HPLC system interfaced with a HP 1200 series diode-array detector (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, USA) and a QTRAP 5500 (AB Sciex, Foster City, CA, USA) via an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) probe operated in positive ion mode. RESULTS For lycopene, α- and β-carotene, HPLC/MS/MS was up to 37 times more sensitive than HPLC-PDA. PDA detection was shown to be up to 8 times more sensitive for lutein. MS/MS signals were enhanced by matrix components for lutein and β-cryptoxanthin, as determined by referencing to the matrix-independent PDA signal. In contrast, matrix suppression was observed for retinyl palmitate, α-carotene, and β-carotene. Both detectors showed similar suitability for α-tocopherol, lycopene and retinyl palmitate (representing ~73% of total retinyl esters). MS/MS exclusively allowed the quantitation of minor retinyl esters, phylloquinone, and (Z)-lycopene isomers. CONCLUSIONS HPLC/MS/MS was more sensitive than HPLC-PDA for six of the eight analytes and represents a powerful tool for the analysis of chylomicron samples and potentially other biological samples of limited sample size. When internal standards are available for the target carotenoid, employing MS/MS detection may reduce the necessary blood sample volume, which is particularly advantageous for minimizing risk and discomfort to human subjects during clinical studies.
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Comparative analysis of lycopene in oxidative stress.
Sarkar, PD, Gupt, T, Sahu, A
The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India. 2012;:17-9
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Lycopene is a phytochemical, found in tomatoes having singlet oxygen quenching ability higher than other antioxidants, participates in most of chemical reactions to protect critical cellular biomolecules. Present study is to analyze effect of tomato's lycopene, synthetic lycopene, its placebo form in patients of OS. METHODS Study includes 45 patients having oxidative stress, age 40-60 years and 30 age and sex matched healthy control. Blood samples were collected at the enrollment, end of 2 weeks of lycopene restricted diet and after 10 weeks of lycopene supplementation. Oxidative stress biomarkers MDA, SOD, GPX, GR, GSH, Catalase, vitamin C and E were measured. RESULTS Results of study revealed decreased lipid peroxidation and OS after various forms of lycopene supplementation but comparative analysis showed significant increase in OS biomarkers except MDA in patients receiving synthetic lycopene as compare to natural and placebo form. CONCLUSION Dietary intake of tomato lycopene is beneficial to fight against OS but in the synthetic form it is more bioavailable and more effective against OS.
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A phase 2, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of a novel nutritional supplement product to promote healthy skin.
Dayan, SH, Arkins, JP, Sharma, V, Paterson, E, Barnes, D
Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD. 2011;(10):1106-14
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite an abundance of nutritional supplements, very few well-controlled trials have assessed their beneficial effect on the skin, such as hydration, antioxidant levels, texture or appearance. The objective of the following placebo-controlled, double-blind study was to determine the effects of the Skin Health Experimental Product (SHEP) on skin health. METHODS The study enrolled healthy men and women aged 30 years or older. Subjects were randomized to receive a twice-daily regimen of SHEP or placebo. The effects SHEP had on overall skin appearance and health were assessed by measuring improvements in: (1) skin hydration using a closed-aperture transepidermal water-loss moisture meter and a vapometer; (2) skin texture using silicon profilometry; (3) skin carotenoid concentration using Raman spectrometry; and (4) reported self-image assessments using the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). RESULTS SHEP-treated subjects demonstrated a significant reduction in fine lines compared to the placebo-treated group. Raman spectroscopy showed that SHEP increased carotenoids at some measurement sites. Based on the GAIS, SHEP-treated subjects were three times more likely to perceive an improvement in their appearance compared to placebo-treated subjects (P>0.049). CONCLUSION The orally-administered SHEP nutritional supplement improves skin texture, carotenoid levels in specific areas of the hand, and improves patients' perception of skin health.