1.
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.
2.
Physiological dose of lycopene suppressed oxidative stress and enhanced serum levels of immunoglobulin M in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: a possible role in the prevention of long-term complications.
Neyestani, TR, Shariatzadeh, N, Gharavi, A, Kalayi, A, Khalaji, N
Journal of endocrinological investigation. 2007;(10):833-8
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to evaluate the antioxidant effects of lycopene in physiological doses and its possible effects on the immune response in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 35 patients with T2DM of both sexes aged 54+/-9 yr were enrolled in a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted for 2 months. After a 2-week lycopene-free diet washout period, patients were allocated to either lycopene supplementation group (10 mg/day) (no.=16) or placebo group (no.=19), which were age- and sex matched. Patients were instructed to keep their diet and physical activity as unchanged as possible. RESULTS While dietary intake of energy and body weight did not change, the ratio of serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) to malondialdehyde (MDA) increased significantly in the lycopene group compared to the placebo group (p=0.007). Though a statistically significant increase in serum concentrations of lycopene (p<0.001) was not accompanied by enhanced delayed-type hypersensitivity response, a significant negative correlation was found between serum levels of lycopene and immunoglobulin (Ig)G (r=-0.338, p=0.008). Interestingly, variations of serum levels of lycopene directly correlated with those of IgM (r=0.466, p=0.005). There was an insignificant decrement in serum anti-oxidized LDL IgG levels in the lycopene group. CONCLUSIONS Lycopene, probably by increasing TAC and inhibiting MDA-LDL formation, may attenuate T cell-dependent adaptive (pro-atherogenic) immune response. Meanwhile, with enhancement of innate immunity and hence prevention of ox-LDL uptake by macrophage and foam cell formation, lycopene may be effective in prevention of long-term diabetic complications, notably cardiovascular disease.
3.
Effect of a Mediterranean meal on postprandial carotenoids, paraoxonase activity and C-reactive protein levels.
Blum, S, Aviram, M, Ben-Amotz, A, Levy, Y
Annals of nutrition & metabolism. 2006;(1):20-4
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM Atherosclerosis involves oxidative and inflammatory mediators regulated by fat and antioxidants. Therefore, we studied the postprandial evolution of plasma lipids, carotenoids, C-reactive protein (CRP), and human serum paraoxanase activity (PON1) following two different fatty meals. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Eight healthy males consumed a 45% fat 1,000 Kcal Mediterranean-like (Med) meal (monounsaturated 61% of fat) compared to a Western-like (Wes) (saturated 57% of fat) meal. Blood was collected at baseline (time 0) 2, 4 and 7 h postprandial. Plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, total carotenoids, CRP, and PON1 were analyzed. RESULTS There was a marginal increase in cholesterol and glucose after both meals. Triglycerides increased modestly (to less than 200 mg/dl) and insulin increased (more in the Wes-like meal) but still within normal range, indicating a low glycemic index for both meals. Only the Med-like meal resulted in a significant increase in both PON1 activity (16%, p < 0.02) and carotenoids (74%, p < 0.02) with a 2-hour postprandial decrease in CRP (6%, p < 0.02). CONCLUSION A postprandial monounsaturated fatty acid rich meal increases both plasma carotenoids and PON1 with a decrease in CRP levels, thus providing a novel potential explanation to the protective properties of a Mediterranean diet against atherogenesis.
4.
Daily intake of a formulated tomato drink affects carotenoid plasma and lymphocyte concentrations and improves cellular antioxidant protection.
Porrini, M, Riso, P, Brusamolino, A, Berti, C, Guarnieri, S, Visioli, F
The British journal of nutrition. 2005;(1):93-9
Abstract
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.