Carotenoids as cellular antioxidants.

Abstract

Consumption of carotenoids is associated with an enhanced immune response and protection against neoplasia and atherosclerosis. Because these effects have been achieved using carotenoids with no pro-vitamin A activity, they are assumed to be due to the antioxidant properties of carotenoids. Carotenoids protect against photosensitized oxidation by quenching singlet oxygen. In addition, beta-carotene reacts chemically with peroxyl radicals to produce epoxide and apocarotenal products. To investigate the potential significance of these reactions to biological systems, we have used soybean lipoxygenase to generate peroxyl radical enzymatically. beta-Carotene inhibits the oxidation of linoleic acid by soybean lipoxygenase as well as the formation of the hydroperoxide product. In addition, the absorption of beta-carotene is diminished (bleached) by soybean lipoxygenase. The potential significance of these antioxidant reactions of carotenoids to biological function is discussed.

• Authors: L M Canfield, J W Forage, J G Valenzuela
• Journal: Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine (New York, N.Y.) (Proc Soc Exp Biol Med) Vol. 200 Issue 2 Pg. 260-5 (Jun 1992) ISSN: 0037-9727 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1579592 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Fatty Acids
• Lipoproteins, LDL
• Carotenoids
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Lipoxygenase

Topics

• Antioxidants
• Carotenoids (physiology)
• Cataract (prevention & control)
• Coronary Disease (prevention & control)
• Fatty Acids (metabolism)
• Humans
• Hydrogen Peroxide (metabolism)
• Immunity
• Lipoproteins, LDL (metabolism)
• Lipoxygenase (metabolism)
• Neoplasms (prevention & control)
• Oxidation-Reduction