title: Kinetic characteristics of beta-carotene uptake after an injection of beta-carotene in pigs.
abstract: Two experiments were conducted to study the uptake of beta-carotene in plasma, lipoproteins, and blood cells in pigs (50 to 55 kg; n = 40) after an i.m. injection of 0, 10, 20, or 40 mg of beta-carotene. Blood was sampled at 0, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h postinjection. beta-Carotene was not detectable in plasma, lipoproteins, or blood cells of control pigs. However, concentrations of beta-carotene in plasma and lipoproteins increased in a dose-related manner in injected animals. Distribution of beta-carotene in the lipoproteins changed with time postinjection. The beta-carotene associated with very low density lipoproteins increased and that in low density lipoproteins decreased with time in treated pigs. Concentrations of beta-carotene in lymphocytes of treated pigs also increased within 3 h postinjection. The profile of beta-carotene in lymphocytes was different from that observed in plasma and lipoproteins. Carotene was not detectable in neutrophils and erythrocytes. Treatment did not alter concentrations of retinol or alpha-tocopherol in plasma, lipoproteins, or blood cells. Therefore, lymphocytes specifically take up beta-carotene, thereby suggesting a possible role of beta-carotene in this immune cell.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Anim. Sci. Washington State University, Pullman 99164-6320.
authors.forename: B P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Chew
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Michal
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Standaert
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Heirman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine / Q000378:metabolism*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood; D019207:beta Carotene
chemical_list: D008074:Lipoproteins; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids