title: Plasma concentrations of carotenoids and antioxidant vitamins in Scottish males: influences of smoking.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To quantify the major carotenoids in plasma of Scottish males and establish which were affected by habitual smoking.
  
  
  METHODS
  Concentrations of carotenoids, vitamin C and vitamin E (alpha and gamma-tocopherol) were determined in plasma samples from 50 fasted male smokers and 50 age-matched males who had never smoked (aged 50-59 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significantly less alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin and vitamin C in plasma of smokers than in never-smokers whereas concentrations of lycopene, lutein/zeaxanthin, phytofluene and vitamin E were similar between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whether lower carotenoid and vitamin C concentrations in smokers than never-smokers reflect different dietary patterns or increased metabolic turnover is unclear but smokers may benefit from increased carotenoid and vitamin C intakes.
authors.affiliation: Rowett Research Institute, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, UK.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: L K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Crosley
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Duthie
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Arthur
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Duthie
mesh_terms: D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D014975:Lutein / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D012606:Scotland; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; C003140:phytofluene; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D014975:Lutein