Beta-carotene decreases markers of lipid peroxidation in healthy volunteers.
We previously showed that daily intake of beta-carotene, a nontoxic antioxidant, reduces lipid peroxidation as assessed by serum lipid peroxide levels. An alternative method to detect lipid peroxidation is the measurement of pentane in breath. Pentane is a five-carbon hydrocarbon that is released when an omega-6 unsaturated fatty acid undergoes peroxidation. The aim of this study was to see whether graded doses of beta-carotene would affect breath pentane excretion in normal subjects placed on a carotenoid-free liquid diet for two weeks. The subjects were then repleted with either 15 (n = 7) or 120 mg (n = 8) of beta-carotene daily for four weeks while continuing the same diet. Serum beta-carotene and breath pentane were measured before and after beta-carotene refeeding. Lipid peroxidation, as assessed by gas-chromatographic measurement of breath pentane, was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by daily supplements of 120 mg beta-carotene (from 3.7 +/- 0.9 to 2.2 +/- 1.4 nmol/l). However, the decline in pentane exhalation observed with the 15-mg beta-carotene dose did not achieve statistical significance (p = 0.13).
Department of Medicine/Gastroenterology, Loyola University of Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL 60153.
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Gottlieb
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Zarling
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Mobarhan
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Bowen
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Sugerman
D000328:Adult; D001944:Breath Tests; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005609:Free Radicals; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D010420:Pentanes / Q000032:analysis; D019207:beta Carotene
D005609:Free Radicals; D010420:Pentanes; D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids; C033353:pentane