title: Changes in beta-carotene levels by long-term administration of natural beta-carotene derived from Dunaliella bardawil in humans.
abstract: Long-term administration of a beta-carotene preparation derived from Dunaliella bardawil, a beta-carotene-rich algae, was studied in healthy young male volunteers. The daily administration of 60 mg of the beta-carotene preparation (30 mg of all-trans beta-carotene and 30 mg of 9-cis beta-carotene) was performed and beta-carotene concentrations were determined in the plasma, red blood cells (RBC), platelets (PLT), and mononuclear cells (MN). The all-trans beta-carotene level increased four-, two-, and threefold the baseline in plasma, PLT, and MN, respectively. Basal levels of 9-cis beta-carotene in plasma, PLT, and MN were low and found as one-tenth, one-fifth, and one-fifth of all-trans beta-carotene, which increased three-, two-, and 1.5-fold the baseline, respectively. Plasma and RBC alpha-tocopherol levels were not changed by the intake of beta-carotene. No side effects or toxicities were documented in any of the subjects during the administration period. In conclusion, the bioavailability of beta-carotene derived from Dunaliella bardawil was preferential for all-trans beta-carotene, although a small amount of the 9-cis form was detected in the plasma and blood cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Morinobu
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tamai
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manago
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Takenaka
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hayashi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mino
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001682:Biological Availability; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000737:chemistry*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D011228:Prealbumin / Q000378:metabolism; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood; D019207:beta Carotene
chemical_list: D011228:Prealbumin; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D054839:Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids