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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #66422
Title: EFFECT OF LOW DIETARY BETA-CAROTENE INTAKE ON OXIDATIVE SUSCEPTIBILITY IN WOMEN

Author
item LIN, YUMEI - UNIVERSITY CALIF DAVIS
item Burri, Betty
item Neidlinger, Terry
item CLIFFORD, ANDREW - UNIVERSITY CALIF DAVIS

Submitted to: Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/8/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In vitro studies have shown the beta-carotene protects against oxidative damage, a function that is related to its effectiveness as an antioxidant and as a free radical scavenger. We present the effects of low beta- carotene intake on oxidative susceptibility in vivo in healthy adult women. Eleven volunteers, age 22 to 41 y., were housed in the USDA WHNRC metabolic research unit for a 120 day period. During the first 100 days, they were fed a nutritionally adequate low carotene diet made from natural foods. During the remaining 20 days, they were fed the same diet with a daily 30 umole supplement of mixed carotenes. Blood and breath were collected on days 23, 60 and 120. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) beta-carotene concentrations decreased through the depletion period. When LDLs were challenged by CuSO4 increased levels of reactive carbonyls (Clin. Chem. 41:1028-32, 1995) were produced in the carotene depleted LDL compared to LDL before depletion. Also, increased levels of some reactive breath carbonyls were found when the women were fed the low carotene diet. These results show increased beta-carotene consumption may serve a protective role against oxidative stress, suggesting that low beta-carotene intake may increase the oxidative susceptibility of body lipids.