Plasma xanthophyll carotenoids correlate inversely with indices of oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation.
Post hoc analysis of data obtained from a study designed to modulate oxidative damage by dietary intervention revealed consistently strong inverse correlations between plasma xanthophyll carotenoids and oxidative damage indices. Thirty-seven women participated in a 14-day dietary intervention that increased mean vegetable and fruit (VF) consumption to approximately 12 servings/day. An additional 10 subjects participated in an intervention that limited VF consumption to less than four servings per day. 8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in DNA isolated from peripheral lymphocytes and 8-OHdG excreted in urine were measured as indices of oxidative DNA damage. Lipid peroxidation was assessed by measuring 8-epiprostaglandin F2alpha (8-EPG) in urine. Plasma levels of selected carotenoids were also determined, with the intention of using a-carotene as a biochemical index of VF consumption. Urinary 8-OHdG and 8-EPG were measured by ELISA, and plasma carotenoids were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Lymphocyte 8-OHdG was measured by reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. We observed that the structurally related xanthophyll carotenoids, lutein and beta-cryptoxanthin, which occur in dissimilar botanical families, were consistently inversely associated with these oxidative indices. Statistically significant inverse correlations were observed between plasma lutein and/or beta-cryptoxanthin levels and lymphocyte 8-OHdG and urinary 8-EPG. Moreover, an inverse correlation was observed between change in plasma xanthophylls and change in lymphocyte 8-OHdG concentration that occurred during the course of the study. These data lead us to hypothesize that lutein and beta-cryptoxanthin serve as markers for the antioxidant milieu provided by plants from which they are derived. Whether these carotenoids are directly responsible for the observed antioxidant phenomena merits further investigation.
Haegele
A D
AD
AMC Cancer Research Center, Denver, Colorado 80214, USA. haegelea@amc.org
Gillette
C
C
O'Neill
C
C
Wolfe
P
P
Heimendinger
J
J
Sedlacek
S
S
Thompson
H J
HJ
D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D004249:DNA Damage; D003849:Deoxyguanosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000652:urine; D004032:Diet; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D014975:Lutein / Q000097:blood*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000737:chemistry; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000032:analysis; D014675:Vegetables
D015415:Biomarkers; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents; C075750:8-epi-prostaglandin F2alpha; D000080242:8-Hydroxy-2'-Deoxyguanosine; D015237:Dinoprost; D003849:Deoxyguanosine; D014975:Lutein