title: Seasonal variation of serum concentrations of beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol.
abstract: We studied the seasonal variation in serum concentrations of beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol (HPLC) in 17,247 Finnish men who smoked. Month of blood sampling was a statistically significant determinant of serum concentration of beta-carotene in a regression model including age, body mass index, alcohol and fat intakes, total serum cholesterol, and daily cigarettes as covariates. The serum concentrations were lowest in April-June and highest in October-November. The 1.5-fold increase in the serum concentration of beta-carotene during the fall reflects the seasonality of dietary sources of carotenoids in Finland. The serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol demonstrated no seasonal variation but remained close to 27.6 mumol/L throughout the year. The results indicate that the seasonal variation of serum concentrations of beta-carotene should be taken into account in long-term studies in which comparison of groups or individuals is based on serum concentrations.
authors.affiliation: National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rautalahti
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Albanes
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Haukka
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Gref
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Virtamo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004032:Diet; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012621:Seasons; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*; D019207:beta Carotene
chemical_list: D019207:beta Carotene; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids