Effects of Mixed Carotenoids on Adipokines and Abdominal Adiposity in Children: A Pilot Study.
Carotenoids have been implicated in the regulation of adipocyte metabolism.



To compare the effects of mixed-carotenoid supplementation (MCS) versus placebo on adipokines and the accrual of abdominal adiposity in children with obesity.



Randomized (1:1), double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention trial to evaluate the effects of MCS over 6 months in a subspecialty clinic.



Twenty (6 male and 14 female) children with simple obesity [body mass index (BMI) > 90%], a mean age (± standard deviation) of 10.5 ± 0.4 years, and Tanner stage I to V were enrolled; 17 participants completed the trial.



MCS (which contains β-carotene, α-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, astaxanthin, and γ-tocopherol) or placebo was administered daily.



Primary outcomes were change in β-carotene, abdominal fat accrual (according to magnetic resonance imaging), and BMI z-score; secondary outcomes were adipokines and markers of insulin resistance.



Cross-sectional analysis of β-carotene showed inverse correlation with BMI z-score, waist-to-height ratio, visceral adipose tissue, and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) at baseline. MCS increased β-carotene, total adiponectin, and high-molecular-weight adiponectin compared with placebo. MCS led to a greater reduction in BMI z-score, waist-to-height ratio, and SAT compared with placebo. The percentage change in β-carotene directly correlated with the percentage change in SAT.



The decrease in BMI z-score, waist-to-height ratio, and SAT and the concomitant increase in the concentration of β-carotene and high-molecular-weight adiponectin by MCS suggest the putative beneficial role of MCS in children with obesity.
Pediatric Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Nemours Children's Specialty Care, Jacksonville, Florida 32207.
J Atilio
JA
Canas
Division of Psychology Nemours Children's Specialty Care, Wolfson Children's Hospital/Baptist Health, Jacksonville, Florida 32207.
Amanda
A
Lochrie
Behavioral Health, Wolfson Children's Hospital/Baptist Health, Jacksonville, Florida 32207.
Amy Galena
AG
McGowan
Bioinformatics Core Facility, Alfred I DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware 19803.
Jobayer
J
Hossain
Department of Radiology, Nemours Children's Specialty Care, Jacksonville, Florida 32207.
Christopher
C
Schettino
Biomedical Analysis Laboratory, Nemours Children's Specialty Care, Jacksonville, Florida 32207.
P Babu
PB
Balagopal
D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D054392:Adipokines / Q000276:immunology; D052242:Adiponectin / Q000276:immunology; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050152:Intra-Abdominal Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014975:Lutein / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077276:Lycopene; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D056128:Obesity, Abdominal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D065927:Waist-Height Ratio; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000627:therapeutic use; D065146:Zeaxanthins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol / Q000627:therapeutic use
C499918:ADIPOQ protein, human; D054392:Adipokines; D052242:Adiponectin; D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids; C041635:alpha-carotene; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol; C005948:astaxanthine; D000077276:Lycopene; D014975:Lutein