title: Subcellular distribution of beta-carotene, retinol, and alpha-tocopherol in porcine lymphocytes after a single injection of beta-carotene.
abstract: The subcellular distribution of beta-carotene, retinol, and alpha-tocopherol in lymphocytes was studied in pigs (50 to 55 kg) injected once with 0, 20, or 40 mg of beta-carotene. Blood was sampled at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h postinjection. Plasma beta-carotene in treated pigs peaked at 24 h and decreased rapidly thereafter. Beta-carotene was found in all subcellular fractions of lymphocytes. Concentrations in nuclei mirrored changes in plasma. However, beta-carotene in mitochondria and cytosol peaked at 24 h, whereas that in microsomes peaked at 48 h. Concentrations in the latter three subcellular fractions remained high at 48 and 72 h even though plasma beta-carotene had decreased to very low concentrations. Peak concentrations of beta-carotene were highest in the nuclei, intermediate in the mitochondria and microsomes, and lowest in the cytosol. Treatment did not influence concentrations of retinol or alpha-tocopherol in the various subcellular fractions. These data provide more compelling evidence for the possible role of beta-carotene in lymphocytes.
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; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D003600:Cytosol / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008861:Microsomes / Q000378:metabolism; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine / Q000097:blood*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*; D019207:beta Carotene
chemical_list: D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids