title: Plasma response to oral beta-carotene in Guatemalan schoolchildren.
abstract: The response to oral doses of beta-carotene (0 mg, n = 10; 15 mg, n = 20; and 30 mg, n = 21) was studied in 51 Guatemalan children aged 8-15 y, with mean fasting plasma retinol concentrations of 1.72 +/- 0.38 mumol/L. Beta-carotene was delivered with a chocolate drink containing 8.4 g fat. Serial blood sampling was performed at intervals up to 48 h. Circulating retinol concentrations remained relatively constant. The maximum increases in plasma beta-carotene after the 30- and 15-mg doses for all subjects occurred at 24 h and were 0.29 and 0.23 mumol/L, respectively. Time of maximum increase for individuals varied and average maxima over the 48-h period for individuals were 0.13 and 0.26 mumol/L for the 15- and 30-mg-treatment groups, respectively. Increased plasma beta-carotene concentrations were not predicted by recent intake of dietary vitamin A, fasting plasma concentrations, or anthropometric measurements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721.
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Canfield
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bulux
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Quan de Serrano
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Harrison
authors.forename: N W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Solomons
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002648:Child; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000032:analysis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D006166:Guatemala; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D013997:Time Factors; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019207:beta Carotene
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids