Lycopene-rich products and dietary photoprotection.
Plant constituents such as carotenoids and flavonoids are involved in the light-protecting system in plants and contribute to the prevention of UV damage in humans. As micronutrients they are ingested with the diet and are distributed into light-exposed tissues where they provide systemic photoprotection. beta-Carotene is an endogenous photoprotector, and its efficacy to prevent UV-induced erythema formation has been demonstrated in intervention studies. Lycopene is the major carotenoid of the tomato and is a very efficient singlet oxygen quencher in the group of carotenoids. Following ingestion of lycopene or tomato-derived products rich in lycopene, photoprotective effects have been demonstrated. After 10-12 weeks of intervention a decrease in the sensitivity towards UV-induced erythema was observed in volunteers. Dietary carotenoids may contribute to life-long protection against harmful UV radiation.
Stahl
Wilhelm
W
Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie I, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, P.O. Box 101007, D-40001 Düsseldorf, Germany.
Heinrich
Ulrike
U
Aust
Olivier
O
Tronnier
Hagen
H
Sies
Helmut
H
D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004032:Diet; D004890:Erythema / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D000077276:Lycopene; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*
D002338:Carotenoids; D000077276:Lycopene