Canthaxanthin and excess vitamin A alter alpha-tocopherol, carotenoid and iron status in adult rats.

Abstract

beta-Carotene and excess vitamin A have been shown to reduce plasma alpha-tocopherol when fed to young rats. The present study assessed the effects of beta-carotene, excess vitamin A and canthaxanthin (4,4'-diketo-beta-carotene) on carotenoid, alpha-tocopherol and iron status in adult retired breeder rats. Male 8- to 10-mo-old rats (10/group) were fed varying levels of vitamin A as retinyl palmitate, beta-carotene and canthaxanthin ad libitum for 8 wk. The AIN-76A diet was modified to contain 16% (wt/wt) fat and 50% carbohydrate (control) plus beta-carotene or canthaxanthin at 0, 0.048 (BC1 or CX1) and 0.2% (BC2 or CX2) of the diet. These compounds were fed with and without excess retinyl palmitate (RP, 220 mg/kg). Higher relative liver weights were observed in CX- and RP-fed groups. Plasma retinyl esters were detected in all RP-fed groups. Plasma retinyl palmitate was 1.6- and 1.5-fold higher in RP-BC and RP-CX groups, respectively, than in the RP groups. Plasma and liver beta-carotene and canthaxanthin were 11-54% and 26-74% lower, respectively, with excess retinyl palmitate feeding. Feeding canthaxanthin and retinyl palmitate but not beta-carotene, resulted in lower levels of plasma alpha-tocopherol. Liver non-heme iron levels were also lower in CX-fed rats irrespective of retinyl palmitate feeding. These results extend to adult rats previous findings that excess retinyl palmitate alters vitamin E and carotenoid status prior to the manifestation of clinical signs of hypervitaminosis A. Additionally, canthaxanthin feeding lowers alpha-tocopherol and iron status in adult rats.

• Authors: S R Blakely, G V Mitchell, M Y Jenkins, E Grundel, P Whittaker
• Journal: The Journal of nutrition (J Nutr) Vol. 121 Issue 10 Pg. 1649-55 (Oct 1991) ISSN: 0022-3166 [Print] United States
• PMID: 1765831 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Triglycerides
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E
• Carotenoids
• Canthaxanthin
• Cholesterol
• Iron

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Animals
• Body Weight (drug effects)
• Canthaxanthin (administration & dosage, pharmacology)
• Carotenoids (metabolism)
• Cholesterol (blood)
• Iron (metabolism)
• Liver (drug effects, metabolism)
• Male
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred Strains
• Triglycerides (blood)
• Vitamin A (administration & dosage, blood, pharmacology)
• Vitamin E (metabolism)