Abstract |
The aims of the present study were to investigate the uptake, accumulation, and metabolism of beta-carotene by the human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7. Beta-carotene uptake was time- and dose-dependent, and independent of cell polarity. Beta-carotene accumulation in cells was linear as a function of its concentration in medium (1.3-4.1 micromol/L). It was accompanied by increasing amounts of retinol, which accumulated in cells following a sigmoid pattern, and by other four putative metabolites. Beta-apocarotenals, epoxides, endoperoxides, retinal, retinoic acid, and retinyl esters were not detected in cell extracts. Beta-carotene and its metabolites did not induce alterations in cell morphology or subcellular localization of epithelial mucins. Beta-carotene and retinol were released from cells that had previously accumulated beta-carotene, and were further incubated in beta-carotene- and retinol-free medium, but intracellular retinol content remained constant whereas beta-carotene decreased. In conclusion, beta-carotene added to culture medium in physiological concentrations (1-6 micromol/L) is taken up and metabolized in MCF-7 cells, and is possibly converted to retinol.
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Authors | Alexandre G Torres, Radovan Borojevic, Nadia M F Trugo |
Journal | International journal for vitamin and nutrition research. Internationale Zeitschrift fur Vitamin- und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal international de vitaminologie et de nutrition
(Int J Vitam Nutr Res)
Vol. 74
Issue 3
Pg. 171-7
(May 2004)
ISSN: 0300-9831 [Print] Switzerland |
PMID | 15296074
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Culture Media
- beta Carotene
- Vitamin A
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Topics |
- Breast
(metabolism)
- Breast Neoplasms
- Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
- Culture Media
- Epithelial Cells
(metabolism)
- Humans
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
- Vitamin A
(metabolism)
- beta Carotene
(administration & dosage, metabolism)
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