The effect of a water-dispersible beta-carotene formulation on the prevention of age-related lymphoid neoplasms in mice.

Abstract

There is currently a great interest in the efficiency of micronutrients against age-associated disorders. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of beta-carotene on the incidence of lymphoid neoplasia, a fatal pathology associated with OFI mouse ageing. Beta-carotene, given as a water-dispersible preparation to 8-month-old mice, on a four month follow-up study, significantly reduced the incidence of neoplasm (12.5% versus 50% for controls). Evaluation of the parameters of oxidative stress showed a highly-significant reduction of the antioxidant defenses in the liver of cancer mice when compared to healthy controls (78% decrease in GSH-Px activity and 47% decrease of the ratio GSH/GSSG). Liver GSH-Px activity was 35% higher in old than in young mice, which correlated with higher (41%) plasma Se level. In conclusion beta-carotene improved the antioxidant status of the mice, causing a 4.5-fold increase in the liver GSH/GSSG ratio, an effect which was probably responsible for the lowered incidence of neoplasia observed.

• Authors: Jacqueline Riondel, Heng-Kuan Wong, Dominique Glise, Véronique Ducros, Alain Favier
• Journal: Anticancer research (Anticancer Res) 2002 Mar-Apr Vol. 22 Issue 2A Pg. 883-8 ISSN: 0250-7005 [Print] Greece
• PMID: 12014666 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anticarcinogenic Agents
• Antioxidants
• beta Carotene
• Water
• Glutathione Peroxidase
• Selenium

Topics

• Aging (blood, drug effects, metabolism)
• Animals
• Anticarcinogenic Agents (pharmacology)
• Antioxidants (pharmacology)
• Body Weight (drug effects)
• Chemistry, Pharmaceutical
• Erythrocytes (drug effects, enzymology)
• Female
• Glutathione Peroxidase (metabolism)
• Lipid Peroxidation (drug effects)
• Liver (drug effects, enzymology, metabolism)
• Lymphoma (etiology, prevention & control)
• Mice
• Selenium (blood, metabolism)
• Water (chemistry)
• beta Carotene (chemistry, pharmacology)