title: Supplementation with red palm oil increases β-carotene and vitamin A blood levels in patients with cystic fibrosis.
abstract: Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) show decreased plasma concentrations of antioxidants due to malabsorption of lipid soluble vitamins and consumption by chronic pulmonary inflammation. β-Carotene is a major source of retinol and therefore is of particular significance in CF. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of daily intake of red palm oil (RPO) containing high amounts of β-carotene on the antioxidant levels in CF patients. Sixteen subjects were recruited and instructed to enrich their food with 2 to 3 tablespoons of RPO (~1.5 mg of β-carotene) daily over 8 weeks. Carotenoids, retinol, and α-tocopherol were measured in plasma at baseline and after intervention. In addition β-carotene, lycopene, α-tocopherol, and vitamin C were measured in buccal mucosa cells (BMC) to determine the influence of RPO on antioxidant tissue levels. Eleven subjects completed the study properly. Plasma β-carotene, retinol, and α-carotene of these patients increased, but plasma concentrations of other carotenoids and α-tocopherol as well as concentrations of β-carotene, lycopene, α-tocopherol, and vitamin C in BMC remained unchanged. Since RPO on a daily basis did not show negative side effects the data suggest that RPO may be used to elevate plasma β-carotene in CF.
authors: Division of Pediatric Pulmonology & Allergy and Cystic Fibrosis Centre, Department of Pediatrics III, Children's Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ; Translational Lung Research Centre Heidelberg (TLRC), Member of the German Centre for Lung Research (DZL), Im Neuenheimer Feld 350, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: Olaf
authors: O
authors: Sommerburg
authors: Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University Dusseldorf, 40001 Dusseldorf, Germany.
authors: Silke
authors: S
authors: De Spirt
authors: Division of Pediatric Pulmonology & Allergy and Cystic Fibrosis Centre, Department of Pediatrics III, Children's Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: Annett
authors: A
authors: Mattern
authors: Division of Pediatric Pulmonology & Allergy and Cystic Fibrosis Centre, Department of Pediatrics III, Children's Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: Cornelia
authors: C
authors: Joachim
authors: Division of Metabolic Diseases and Newborn Screening Centre, Department of Paediatrics I, Children's Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: Claus-Dieter
authors: CD
authors: Langhans
authors: Product Development and Advisory Services, Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), 6 Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.
authors: Kalanithi
authors: K
authors: Nesaretnam
authors: Research Institute of Physiotherapy and Gerontology, KortexMed Institute of Medical Education, Hindenburgring 12a, 38667 Bad Harzburg, Germany.
authors: Werner
authors: W
authors: Siems
authors: Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, Faculty of Medicine, Heinrich-Heine-University Dusseldorf, 40001 Dusseldorf, Germany.
authors: Wilhelm
authors: W
authors: Stahl
authors: Division of Pediatric Pulmonology & Allergy and Cystic Fibrosis Centre, Department of Pediatrics III, Children's Hospital, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 430, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ; Translational Lung Research Centre Heidelberg (TLRC), Member of the German Centre for Lung Research (DZL), Im Neuenheimer Feld 350, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany ; Department of Translational Pulmonology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 350, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
authors: Marcus A
authors: MA
authors: Mall
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077276:Lycopene; D008297:Male; D000073878:Palm Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D010938:Plant Oils; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids; D000073878:Palm Oil; D000077276:Lycopene