title: Beta-carotene serum levels in patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria on treatment with the synthetic all-trans isomer or a natural isomeric mixture of beta-carotene.
abstract: The all-trans-beta-carotene serum level of patients suffering from erythropoietic protoporphyria increases substantially during continuous treatment with beta-carotene (either with the synthetic all-trans compound or with beta-carotene from a natural source consisting of a cis-trans isomeric mixture). On continuous daily ingestion, the beta-carotene serum level rose from day 0 to day 30, and no further increase was observed between day 30 and day 150. Slightly lower beta-carotene steady state serum levels were observed with the natural isomeric mixture than with synthetic beta-carotene. Higher levels of 13-cis-beta-carotene, in some cases up to 10% of the total beta-carotene, were detected after ingestion of the synthetic compound. The level of 9-cis-beta-carotene was below or close to the limit of quantification in all samples, even when the isomeric mixture containing high amounts of 9-cis-beta-carotene was applied.
authors.affiliation: Institut für Physiologische Chemie I, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: von Laar
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Stahl
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bolsen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Goerz
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sies
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D017121:Porphyria, Hepatoerythropoietic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D019207:beta Carotene
chemical_list: D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids