Lipoprotein carotenoid profiles and the susceptibility of low density lipoprotein to oxidative modification in healthy elderly volunteers.
OBJECTIVE
To determine antioxidant levels in plasma, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) before and after supplementation with a carotene mixture or lycopene; to examine the interrelationships between carotenoids and tocopherols in plasma, LDL and HDL under normal dietary conditions and after supplementation with carotene or lycopene; and to investigate whether supplementation with a carotene mixture or lycopene could enhance the ability of LDL to withstand oxidative stress in vitro, in a group of healthy elderly people aged > or =65 y.


METHODS
Randomized placebo controlled double blind study.


METHODS
Free living urban adults in Ireland.


METHODS
Fifty-one volunteers aged > or =65 y.


METHODS
Volunteers were each provided with capsules providing either 13.3 mg lycopene, or 11.9 mg carotene or placebo for 12 weeks.


RESULTS
Both absolute and cholesterol standardized plasma carotenoid concentrations correlated strongly with LDL and HDL concentrations of carotenoids before and after supplementation with carotene or lycopene. Supplementation with a carotene mixture or lycopene had no effect on oxidative modification of LDL in vitro despite significant increases in plasma and LDL concentrations of lycopene, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that, in unsupplemented individuals, plasma can act as a biomarker of carotenoid and gamma-tocopherol concentrations in both LDL and HDL. Supplementation with carotenes or lycopene do not reduce or delay oxidation of LDL. These results support the assumption that carotenoids, such as beta-carotene and lycopene, may show protective effects because they are good markers of fruit and vegetable intake.
Carroll
Y L
YL
Department of Food Science and Technology, University College Cork, Ireland.
Corridan
B M
BM
Morrissey
P A
PA
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood*; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D000077276:Lycopene; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D008074:Lipoproteins; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D010919:Placebos; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D000077276:Lycopene