title: Plasma response of children to short-term chronic beta-carotene supplementation.
abstract: Plasma concentrations of beta-carotene and retinol after supplementation of children with beta-carotene in supplements and in foods were compared in Guatemalan children. The children received 6 mg/d beta-carotene [1000 retinol equivalents (RE)] as purified supplements or as carrots for 20 d and the effects on plasma beta-carotene and retinol concentrations were assessed. Plasma concentrations of beta-carotene were increased by 0.59 +/- 0.65 and 0.60 +/- 0.67 mumol/L after supplementation with beta-carotene capsules for 10 and 20 d, respectively. Addition of cooked carrots to the diet resulted in no significant change in plasma beta-carotene. Fasting plasma retinol concentrations were 1.23 +/- 0.35 mumol/L and were not significantly changed in response to supplementation with either of the carotene treatments with retinyl palmitate (1000 RE/d) for 20 d. Possible explanations for the differences in effects of plasma concentrations between the two methods of supplementation are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bulux
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Quan de Serrano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giuliano
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: C Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.forename: N W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Solomons
authors.forename: L M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Canfield
mesh_terms: D001682:Biological Availability; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D004032:Diet; D004224:Diterpenes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000084562:Retinyl Esters; D014675:Vegetables / Q000378:metabolism; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D019207:beta Carotene
chemical_list: D004224:Diterpenes; D000084562:Retinyl Esters; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; C014794:retinol palmitate; D002338:Carotenoids