Moderate intervention with carotenoid-rich vegetable products reduces lipid peroxidation in men.

Abstract

Because of their antioxidant properties, carotenoids may have beneficial effects in preventing cancer and cardiovascular disease. However, in humans consuming carotenoid-rich vegetables, data concerning the antioxidant effects of carotenoids are rather scarce. A human intervention trial was conducted, therefore, to determine whether a moderately increased consumption of carotenoid-rich vegetables would influence the antioxidant status in 23 healthy men. This short-term feeding study lasted 8 wk during which the men consumed a low carotenoid diet. A 2-wk low carotenoid period was followed by daily consumption of 330 mL tomato juice, then by 330 mL carrot juice and then by 10 g of spinach powder, each for 2 wk. Antioxidant status [water-soluble antioxidants in serum, ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and antioxidant enzyme activities] and lipid peroxidation (plasma malondialdehyde and ex vivo oxidation of LDL) were determined. In a subgroup of 10 men, lipoprotein carotenoids were measured. The consumption of carotenoid-rich vegetables significantly increased selected carotenoids in lipoproteins but had only minor effects on their relative distribution pattern. Tomato juice consumption reduced plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) by 12% (P: < 0.05) and lipoprotein oxidizability in terms of an increased lag time (18%, P: < 0.05). Carrot juice and spinach powder had no effect on lipid peroxidation. Water-soluble antioxidants, FRAP, glutathione peroxidase and reductase activities did not change during any study period. In evaluating the low carotenoid diet, we conclude that the additional consumption of carotenoid-rich vegetable products enhanced lipoprotein carotenoid concentrations, but only tomato juice reduced LDL oxidation in healthy men.

• Authors: A Bub, B Watzl, L Abrahamse, H Delincée, S Adam, J Wever, H Müller, G Rechkemmer
• Journal: The Journal of nutrition (J Nutr) Vol. 130 Issue 9 Pg. 2200-6 (Sep 2000) ISSN: 0022-3166 [Print] United States
• PMID: 10958813 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Lipoproteins, LDL
• Carotenoids
• Glutathione
• Ascorbic Acid

Topics

• Adult
• Analysis of Variance
• Antioxidants (metabolism)
• Ascorbic Acid (blood)
• Carotenoids (administration & dosage, analysis, blood, pharmacology)
• Diet
• Food Analysis
• Glutathione (blood)
• Humans
• Lipid Peroxidation (drug effects)
• Lipoproteins, LDL (analysis)
• Male
• Vegetables