title: Beta-carotene levels in exfoliated human mucosa cells following its oral administration.
abstract: Beta-carotene levels of exfoliated oral mucosa cells can be increased severalfold by the oral administration of this provitamin. Beta-carotene was estimated by HPLC analysis in pronase-treated exfoliated cells obtained by brushing the entire oral mucosa with a toothbrush. A small percentage of individuals did not respond with an increase of beta-carotene in their mucosa cell in spite of a relatively large intake of the provitamin (360 mg in 4 days, or 2880 mg in 16 weeks, respectively). Levels of beta-carotene in the mucosa cells are affected by the concurrent administration of vitamin A: 0.27 ng beta-carotene per 10(6) cells in the placebo group, 1.79 ng following the intake of beta-carotene (180 mg/week for 16 weeks), and 4.29 ng after beta-carotene (180 mg/week for 16 weeks) plus vitamin A (100,000 IU/week for 16 weeks) consumption. The considerable variations in tissue levels of beta-carotene following its oral administration must be taken into account when cancer intervention trials using this agent are designed and evaluated.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002214:Capsules; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D002610:Cheek; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000032:analysis*; D010919:Placebos; D012907:Smoking; D013997:Time Factors; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019207:beta Carotene
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D010919:Placebos; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids