Protective effect of provitamin A dietary carotenoid intake on overweight/obesity and their relation to inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers - a case-control study.

This investigation assessed associations between dietary carotenoid intake and the odds of overweight/obesity, as well as inflammatory/oxidative stress biomarkers, in 851 participants with overweight/obesity (BMI ≥25 kg m-2) and 754 normal-weight controls. A 124-item food-frequency-questionnaire (FFQ) and food composition databases were employed to estimate carotenoid intake. Binary logistic regressions assessed the association of carotenoid intake with the odds of overweight/obesity, adjusting for several potential confounders. Multiple linear regression models revealed associations between carotenoid intake and biomarkers (anthropometrics, blood lipids, inflammation, antioxidant status). Logistic regression models adjusted for various confounders and fruits and vegetables showed protective associations for provitamin A carotenoids (i.e., ß-carotene + α-carotene + ß-cryptoxanthin; odds ratio (OR): 0.655, p = 0.041) and astaxanthin (OR: 0.859, p = 0.017). Similarly adjusted multiple linear regressions revealed significant associations between several carotenoids and lower levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, and TNF-α and increased IL-10 and total antioxidant capacity. Further analysis revealed that lycopene was significantly associated with increased odds of overweight/obesity (OR: 1.595, p = 0.032) in a model adjusted for various confounders and vegetables (i.e., unadjusted for fruits). A protective association between the sum of provitamin A carotenoid and astaxanthin dietary intake and the odds of having overweight/obesity was found. The findings that carotenoids other than lycopene were not or inversely associated with the odds of overweight/obesity may point toward differentiating effects of various carotenoids or their associations with different food groups. Provitamin A rich food items including fruits and vegetables appear to be a prudent strategy to reduce inflammation and the odds of having overweight/obesity.

Dietary ß-Cryptoxanthin and α-Carotene Have Greater Apparent Bioavailability Than ß-Carotene in Subjects from Countries with Different Dietary Patterns.

ß-carotene, α-carotene and ß-cryptoxanthin are greater contributors to vitamin A intake than retinol in the human diet for most people around the world. Their contribution depends on several factors, including bioavailability and capacity of conversion into retinol. There is an increasing body of research showing that the use of retinol activity equivalents or retinol equivalents could lead to the underestimation of the contribution of ß-cryptoxanthin and of α-carotene. The aim is to assess their apparent bioavailability by comparing concentrations in blood to their dietary intakes and identifying the major food contributors to their dietary intake. Dietary intake (3-day 24-h records) and serum concentrations (by HPLC) were calculated in normolipemic subjects with adequate retinol status (≥1.1 µmol/L) from our studies (n = 633) and apparent bioavailability calculated from 22 other studies (n = 29,700). Apparent bioavailability was calculated as the ratio of concentration in the blood to carotenoid intake. Apparent bioavailabilities for α-carotene and ß-cryptoxanthin were compared to those for ß-carotene. Eating comparable amounts of α-carotene, ß-cryptoxanthin and ß-carotene foods resulted in 55% greater α-carotene (95% CI 35, 90) and 686% higher ß-cryptoxanthin (95% CI 556, 1016) concentrations than ß-carotene in blood. This suggests differences in the apparent bioavailability of α-carotene and ß-cryptoxanthin and even larger differences with ß-cryptoxanthin, greater than that of ß-carotene. Four fruits (tomato, orange, tangerine, red pepper) and two vegetables (carrot, spinach) are the main contributors to their dietary intake (>50%) in Europeans.

Intake of ß-cryptoxanthin with fat-containing food increases ß-cryptoxanthin serum level and palmar yellowness in healthy adults.

Epidemiological and clinical studies have suggested that ß-cryptoxanthin (ß-CX) has health benefits in humans. To understand the health benefits of ß-CX, it is important to examine its in vivo kinetics and identify a convenient noninvasive biomarker for serum ß-CX level. However, to date, there have been few studies of ß-CX kinetics in humans. We hypothesized that simultaneous consumption of fat-containing food would stimulate absorption of ß-CX. We conducted 2 in vivo kinetics studies, one after a single intake and the other after daily intake of ß-CX in healthy adults, to examine whether simultaneous consumption of fat-containing food stimulates absorption of ß-CX and whether palmar b* value (yellowness) is a suitable biomarker. After a single intake of 1.1 or 2.2 mg of ß-CX, the serum level increased dose-dependently and returned to the baseline level after 14 to 17 days. The simultaneous consumption of fat-containing food enhanced the absorption of ß-CX by 1.8-fold. During daily intake of 2.0 mg/day ß-CX with fat-containing food for 12 weeks, both serum ß-CX level and palmar b* value measured with a colorimeter increased continuously. After intake was halted, both serum ß-CX level and palmar b* value decreased. There was a positive correlation between serum ß-CX level and palmar b* value during the trial (R = 0.55, P < .001). These results suggest that intake of ß-CX with fat-containing food stimulates the absorption of ß-CX and increases palmar yellowness.

ß-Cryptoxanthin Induces UCP-1 Expression via a RAR Pathway in Adipose Tissue.

While ß-cryptoxanthin is hypothesized to have a preventive effect on lifestyle-related diseases, its underlying mechanisms are unknown. We investigated the effect of ß-cryptoxanthin on energy metabolism in adipose tissues and its underlying mechanism. C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (60% kcal fat) containing 0 or 0.05% ß-cryptoxanthin for 12 weeks. ß-cryptoxanthin treatment was found to reduce body fat gain and plasma glucose level, while increasing energy expenditure. The expression of uncoupling protein (UCP) 1 was elevated in adipose tissues in the treatment group. Furthermore, the in vivo assays showed that the Ucp1 mRNA expression was higher in the ß-cryptoxanthin treatment group, an effect that disappeared upon cotreatment with a retinoic acid receptor (RAR) antagonist. In conclusion, we report that ß-cryptoxanthin reduces body fat and body weight gain and that ß-cryptoxanthin increases the expression of UCP1 via the RAR pathway.

Dietary ß-Cryptoxanthin Inhibits High-Refined Carbohydrate Diet-Induced Fatty Liver via Differential Protective Mechanisms Depending on Carotenoid Cleavage Enzymes in Male Mice.

BACKGROUND: ß-Cryptoxanthin (BCX), a provitamin A carotenoid shown to protect against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), can be cleaved by ß-carotene-15,15'-oxygenase (BCO1) to generate vitamin A, and by ß-carotene-9',10'-oxygenase (BCO2) to produce bioactive apo-carotenoids. BCO1/BCO2 polymorphisms have been associated with variations in plasma carotenoid amounts in both humans and animals. OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether BCX feeding inhibits high refined-carbohydrate diet (HRCD)-induced NAFLD, dependent or independent of BCO1/BCO2. METHODS: Six-week-old male wild-type (WT) and BCO1-/-/BCO2-/- double knockout (DKO) mice were randomly fed HRCD (66.5% of energy from carbohydrate) with or without BCX (10 mg/kg diet) for 24 wk. Pathological and biochemical variables were analyzed in the liver and mesenteric adipose tissues (MATs). Data were analyzed by 2-factor ANOVA. RESULTS: Compared to their respective HRCD controls, BCX reduced hepatic steatosis severity by 33‒43% and hepatic total cholesterol by 43‒70% in both WT and DKO mice (P < 0.01). Hepatic concentrations of BCX, but not retinol and retinyl palmitate, were 33-fold higher in DKO mice than in WT mice (P < 0.001). BCX feeding increased the hepatic fatty acid oxidation protein peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α, and the cholesterol efflux gene ATP-binding cassette transporter5, and suppressed the lipogenesis gene acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (Acc1) in the MAT of WT mice but not DKO mice (P < 0.05). BCX feeding decreased the hepatic lipogenesis proteins ACC and stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (3-fold and 5-fold) and the cholesterol synthesis genes 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase and HMG-CoA synthase 1 (2.7-fold and 1.8-fold) and increased the cholesterol catabolism gene cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (1.9-fold) in the DKO but not WT mice (P < 0.05). BCX feeding increased hepatic protein sirtuin1 (2.5-fold) and AMP-activated protein kinase (9-fold) and decreased hepatic farnesoid X receptor protein (80%) and the inflammatory cytokine gene Il6 (6-fold) in the MAT of DKO mice but not WT mice (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: BCX feeding mitigates HRCD-induced NAFLD in both WT and DKO mice through different mechanisms in the liver-MAT axis, depending on the presence or absence of BCO1/BCO2.

ß-Cryptoxanthin Reduces Body Fat and Increases Oxidative Stress Response in Caenorhabditis elegans Model.

ß-Cryptoxanthin (BCX) is a major dietary pro-vitamin A carotenoid, found mainly in fruits and vegetables. Several studies showed the beneficial effects of BCX on different aspects of human health. In spite of the evidence, the molecular mechanisms of action of BCX need to be further investigated. The Caenorhabditis elegans model was used to analyze in vivo the activity of BCX on fat reduction and protection to oxidative stress. Dose-response assays provided evidence of the efficacy of BCX at very low dose (0.025 µg/mL) (p < 0.001) on these processes. Moreover, a comparative analysis with other carotenoids, such as lycopene and ß-carotene, showed a stronger effect of BCX. Furthermore, a transcriptomic analysis of wild-type nematodes supplemented with BCX revealed upregulation of the energy metabolism, response to stress, and protein homeostasis as the main metabolic targets of this xanthophyll. Collectively, this study provides new in vivo evidence of the potential therapeutic use of BCX in the prevention of diseases related to metabolic syndrome and aging.

Effect of a high-protein diet with ß-cryptoxanthin supplementation on metabolic risk factors, oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): study protocol for a randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Excessive hepatic fat is associated with increased metabolic risk factors, production of inflammatory factors, and oxidative stress. High protein intake might trigger an increased hepatic lipid oxidation through an increase in hepatic energy expenditure. Furthermore, the majority of randomized controlled trials (RCT) in humans have failed to show whether carotenoids can be used to prevent and treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, it is notable and contradictory that NAFLD is rapidly escalating in Iran and other countries with lower intakes of fruit and vegetables (as sources of ß-cryptoxanthin [ß-CX] and carbohydrates) and higher intake of carbohydrates (as an agent of NAFLD); and the effects of ß-CX and a high protein diet (HPD) on NAFLD need to be investigated further. METHODS/DESIGN: This study will be conducted as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial for 12 weeks to receive daily ß-CX 6 mg supplementation combined with a HPD on levels of metabolic factors, ß-CX, glycemic and lipid profiles, inflammatory factors, adipocytokines, and body composition. Ninety-two eligible patients, aged 18-60 years, of both genders, who are obese and overweight (body mass index [BMI] 25-40 kg/m2) will be randomly assigned to four groups as follow: HPD + placebo; normal protein diet + ß-CX (NPD + ß-CX); HPD + ß-CX; and NPD + placebo (control group). Two populations will be analyzed in this work. The intention-to-treat (ITT) population includes all patients who will be randomized, while the per-protocol (PP) population includes all individuals who complete the 12- week intervention (i.e. study completers). DISCUSSION: Our findings from this trial will contribute to the knowledge of the relationship between ß-CX supplementation and a HPD on NAFLD patients and determination of optimal macronutrient ratios without energy restriction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iran clinical trials registry, IRCT2017060210181N10 . Registered on 20 June 2017.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between vitamin A intake, serum vitamin A, and risk of liver cancer.

BACKGROUND: Previous evidence supports that vitamin A decreases the risk of several types of cancer. However, the association between vitamin A and liver cancer is inconclusive. AIM: This systematic review and meta-analysis summarizes the existing literature, discussing the association between vitamin A intake, serum vitamin A, and liver cancer in adult populations. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed by searching the EMBASE, PubMed, Scopus and International Pharmaceutical Abstract databases using terms related to vitamin A (e.g. retinol, α-carotene, ß-carotene, and ß-cryptoxanthin) and hepatic cancer without applying any time restriction. A meta-analysis was performed using random effect models. RESULTS: The meta-analysis of five studies showed no association between serum retinol and liver cancer (pooled risk ratio = 1.90 (0.40-9.02); n = 5 studies, I2 = 92%). In addition, the systematic review of studies from 1955 to July 2017 found studies that indicated no association between the intake and serum level of α-carotene ( n = 2) and ß-cryptoxanthin ( n = 1) and the risk of liver cancer. Further, the associations between retinol intake ( n = 3), ß-carotene intake ( n = 3), or serum ß-carotene ( n = 3) and liver cancer were inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: Current information on the association between vitamin A intake and liver cancer or serum vitamin A and liver cancer are limited. Most studies demonstrated no association between dietary vitamin A and the risk of liver cancer. However, the finding was based on a small number of studies with potential publication bias. Therefore, large observational studies should be conducted to confirm these associations.

Association between Dietary Carotenoid Intake and Bone Mineral Density in Korean Adults Aged 30-75 Years Using Data from the Fourth and Fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2008-2011).

Age-related bone loss is a major public health problem. This cross-sectional study examined the association between the dietary intake of carotenoids and bone mineral density (BMD). Data from 8022 subjects (3763 males and 4259 females) aged 30-75 years included in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2011) were analyzed. BMD was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Intake of carotenoids was estimated using 24-h dietary recall. In multiple linear analysis, after adjusting for covariates, lutein + zeaxanthin and ß-cryptoxanthin intake was positively associated with total hip BMD in males and premenopausal women respectively, while ß-carotene intake was positively correlated with femoral neck, total hip, and whole-body BMD in postmenopausal women. Postmenopausal women in the highest quintile of daily ß-carotene intake, showed a lower risk of osteopenia at the lumbar spine (odds ratio (OR): 0.35, 95% CI: 0.16-0.79, P for trend = 0.009) than those in the lowest quintile, after adjusting for covariates. Daily ß-cryptoxanthin intake was significantly associated with a lower risk of osteopenia at the total hip (OR per 1 mg/day increase: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.59-0.97), and lumbar spine (OR per 1 mg/day increase: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.70-0.89) in postmenopausal women. These results suggest that the dietary intake of ß-carotene and ß-cryptoxanthin may have a positive effect on bone health.

Comparison of Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS) and Plasma Carotenoid Concentrations: A Validation Study in Adults.

Diet quality indices can predict nutritional adequacy of usual intake, but validity should be determined. The aim was to assess the validity of total and sub-scale score within the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS), in relation to fasting plasma carotenoid concentrations. Diet quality and fasting plasma carotenoid concentrations were assessed in 99 overweight and obese adults (49.5% female, aged 44.6 ± 9.9 years) at baseline and after three months (198 paired observations). Associations were assessed using Spearman's correlation coefficients and regression analysis, and agreement using weighted kappa (Kw). Small, significantly positive correlations were found between total ARFS and plasma concentrations of total carotenoids (r = 0.17, p < 0.05), ß-cryptoxanthin (r = 0.18, p < 0.05), ß-carotene (r = 0.20, p < 0.01), and α-carotene (r = 0.19, p < 0.01). Significant agreement between ARFS categories and plasma carotenoid concentrations was found for total carotenoids (Kw 0.12, p = 0.02), ß-carotene (Kw 0.14, p < 0.01), and α-carotene (Kw 0.13, p < 0.01). In fully-adjusted regression models the only signification association with ARFS total score was for α-carotene (ß = 0.19, p < 0.01), while ARFS meat and fruit sub-scales demonstrated significant relationships with α-carotene, ß-carotene, and total carotenoids (p < 0.05). The weak associations highlight the issues with self-reporting dietary intakes in overweight and obese populations. Further research is required to evaluate the use of the ARFS in more diverse populations.

ß-Cryptoxanthin ameliorates metabolic risk factors by regulating NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways in insulin resistance induced by high-fat diet in rodents.

The aim of this experiment was to determine the effects of ß-cryptoxanthin (BCX) on the cardiometabolic health risk factors and NF-κB and Nrf2 pathway in insulin resistance induced by high-fat diet (HFD) in rodents. Twenty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into four groups: (1) Control, rats fed a standard diet for 12 weeks; (2) BCX, rats fed a standard diet and supplemented with BCX (2.5 mg/kg BW) for 12 weeks; (3) HFD, rats fed a HFD for 12 weeks, (4) HFD + BCX, rats fed a HFD and supplemented with BCX for 12 weeks. BCX reduced cardio-metabolic health markers and decreased inflammatory markers (P < 0.001). Rats fed a HFD had the lower total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzymes activities and higher MDA concentration than control rats (P < 0.001 for all). Comparing with the HFD group, BCX in combination with HFD inhibited liver NF-κB and TNF-α expression by 22% and 14% and enhanced liver Nrf2, HO-1, PPAR-α, and p-IRS-1 by 1.43, 1.41, 3.53, and 1.33 fold, respectively (P < 0.001). Furthermore, in adipose tissue, BCX up-regulated Nrf2, HO-1, PPAR-α, and p-IRS-1 expression, whereas, down-regulated NF-κB and TNF-α expression. In conclusion, BCX decreased visceral fat and cardiometabolic health risk factors through modulating expressions of nuclear transcription factors.

Amelioration of the Development of Osteoarthritis by Daily Intake of ß-Cryptoxanthin.

ß-Cryptoxanthin, which is primarily obtained from citrus fruits such as Satsuma mandarins, is a major carotenoid routinely found in human serum. Recently, we demonstrated that daily oral intake of ß-cryptoxanthin prevented ovariectomy-induced bone loss and ameliorated neuropathic pain in mice. Although ß-cryptoxanthin exerts preventive effects on various lifestyle-related diseases, there have been no studies on the effect of ß-cryptoxanthin on the development of osteoarthritis, the most common degenerative joint disease, which frequently leads to loss of ability and stiffness in the elderly. Here we showed that daily oral administration of ß-cryptoxanthin significantly prevented the development of osteoarthritis developed by surgically inducing knee joint instability in mice in vivo. Furthermore, in vitro experiments revealed that ß-cryptoxanthin markedly inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines and enzymes critical for the degradation of the extracellular matrix in primary chondrocytes. Our results suggest that oral supplementation of ß-cryptoxanthin would be beneficial for the maintenance of joint health and as prophylaxis against osteoarthritis.

Daily oral intake of ß-cryptoxanthin ameliorates neuropathic pain.

ß-cryptoxanthin, a xanthophyll carotenoid, exerts preventive effects on various lifestyle-related diseases. Here, we found that daily oral administration of ß-cryptoxanthin significantly ameliorated the development of tactile allodynia following spinal nerve injury but was ineffective in mechanical allodynia in an inflammatory pain model in mice. Our results suggest that ß-cryptoxanthin supplementation would be beneficial for the prophylaxis of neuropathic pain.

Possible Gender Difference in Anti-stress Effect of ß-Cryptoxanthin.

Beta-cryptoxanthin [ß-CRX, (3R)-ß, ß-caroten-3-ol] is a provitamin A and a potent antioxidant that is abundant in Satsuma mandarin orange (Citrus unshiu MARC.), which is the most popular fruit in Japan. The anti-stress effect of ß-CRX on humans was evaluated in fifth-year university students during both routine daily life at the university and at pharmacy practice. The study design was a double-blind group comparison and participants (n=20; female 12, male 8) were randomly assigned to ß-CRX-rich orange juice or placebo (ß-CRX was removed from orange juice) groups. ß-CRX or placebo juice (125 mL, once a day, after breakfast) were consumed from 10 d prior to the pharmacy practice and continued for 10 d into the practice period. To assess participants' anxiety, the state-trait anxiety inventory test was carried out before the pharmacy practice. Salivary α-amylase activity (sAA) was measured as a marker of sympathetic nervous system activity. In the placebo-group, sAA in the evening (post-practice sAA) tended to be higher than sAA in the morning (pre-practice sAA) during both routine daily life at the university and during pharmacy practice. In the ß-CRX-group, the increase of post-practice sAA was suppressed in females. These results suggested that ß-CRX has an anti-stress effect, at least, in females.

Protective Efficacy of the Ingestion of Mandarin Orange Containing ß-Cryptoxanthin on Lipopolysaccharide-induced Acute Nephritis.

ß-cryptoxanthin is a common carotenoid pigment found in fruit, especially in Satsuma mandarins and in persimmons. After ingestion, ß-cryptoxanthin is distributed to and accumulates in organs, such as the liver, lung, and kidney. Recent studies have reported that because of its antioxidant defense, ß-cryptoxanthin performs several important functions in the preservation of human health and in the prevention of several diseases, including cancer and osteoporosis. The present study aims to determine whether ß-cryptoxanthin has a protective effect on renal glomeruli during acute nephritis. To develop our acute nephritis mouse model, we induced kidney inflammation in mice using lipopolysaccharide. To analyze pathological changes in the renal glomeruli of these mice, tissue sections of the kidney were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin and periodic acid-Schiff staining. In mice with acute nephritis, we observed a thickening of the basal membrane in the renal glomeruli. By ultrastructural analysis, abnormalities in the foot cells were also identified. In the ß-cryptoxanthin-ingested mice, these pathological changes were decreased. Migration of urinal proteins occurred in mice with acute nephritis, but this was decreased in ß-cryptoxanthin-ingested mice, such that it correlated with the blood concentration of ß-cryptoxanthin. Furthermore, in ß-cryptoxanthin-ingested mice, both the accumulation and activation of inflammatory cells were decreased in the renal glomeruli. These results suggest that ß-cryptoxanthin ingestion may produce great improvement in acute nephritis. These findings provide new insights into ß-cryptoxanthin and its protective effect, and provide a new target for pharmacological therapy in human disease.

Association between intake of antioxidants and pancreatic cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

We conducted a meta-analysis to systematically evaluate the association between antioxidants intake and pancreatic cancer risk. Relevant articles were retrieved from PUBMED and EMBASE databases and standard meta-analysis methods were applied. Finally a total of 18 studies were included. Comparing the highest with lowest categories, higher dietary intakes of selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E, ß-carotene and ß-cryptoxanthin were significantly associated with reduced pancreatic cancer risk (for selenium, pooled OR = 0.47, 95%CI 0.26-0.85; for vitamin C, pooled OR = 0.68, 95%CI 0.57-0.80; for vitamin E, pooled OR = 0.70, 95%CI 0.62-0.81; for ß-carotene, pooled OR = 0.74, 95%CI 0.56-0.98; for ß-cryptoxanthin, pooled OR = 0.70, 95%CI 0.56-0.88). Lycopene intake was marginally associated with pancreatic cancer risk (pooled OR = 0.85, 95%CI 0.73-1.00), while no significant association was observed for α-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. In summary, higher dietary intake of selenium, vitamin C, vitamin E, ß-carotene and ß-cryptoxanthin was inversely associated with pancreatic cancer risk.

Carotenoid intake and adipose tissue carotenoid levels in relation to prostate cancer aggressiveness among African-American and European-American men in the North Carolina-Louisiana prostate cancer project (PCaP).

BACKGROUND: Associations between carotenoid intake and prostate cancer (CaP) incidence have varied across studies. This may result from combining indolent with aggressive disease in most studies. This study examined whether carotenoid intake and adipose tissue carotenoid levels were inversely associated with CaP aggressiveness. METHODS: Data on African-American (AA, n = 1,023) and European-American (EA, n = 1,079) men with incident CaP from North Carolina and Louisiana were analyzed. Dietary carotenoid intake was assessed using a detailed-food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), and abdominal adipose tissue samples were analyzed for carotenoid concentrations using high-performance liquid chromatography. Multivariable logistic regression was used in race-stratified analyses to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) comparing high aggressive CaP with low/intermediate aggressive CaP. RESULTS: Carotenoid intake differed significantly between AAs and EAs, which included higher intake of lycopene among EAs and higher ß-cryptoxanthin intake among AAs. Comparing the highest and lowest tertiles, dietary lycopene was associated inversely with high aggressive CaP among EAs (OR = 0.55, 95%CI: 0.34-0.89, Ptrend = 0.02), while an inverse association was observed between dietary ß-cryptoxanthin intake and high aggressive CaP among AAs (OR = 0.56, 95%CI: 0.36-0.87, Ptrend = 0.01). Adipose tissue α-carotene and lycopene (cis + trans) concentrations were higher among EAs than AAs, and marginally significant inverse linear trends were observed for adipose α-carotene (Ptrend = 0.07) and lycopene (Ptrend = 0.11), and CaP aggressiveness among EAs only. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that diets high in lycopene and ß-cryptoxanthin may protect against aggressive CaP among EAs and AAs, respectively. Differences in dietary behaviors may explain the observed racial differences in associations. Prostate 76:1053-1066, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Consumption of canned citrus fruit meals increases human plasma ß-cryptoxanthin concentration, whereas lycopene and ß-carotene concentrations did not change in healthy adults.

Several studies suggest that ß-cryptoxanthin has a greater plasma response from its common food sources than other carotenoids such as ß-carotene and lycopene. The hypothesis of this study is that changes in plasma ß-cryptoxanthin concentrations will be greater than changes in plasma ß-carotene or lycopene concentrations even if these carotenoids are fed in a similar food matrix, such as citrus fruit. We tested this hypothesis by measuring changes in plasma concentrations of ß-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, and ß-carotene after feeding measured amounts of canned tangerines and pink grapefruit to healthy nonsmoking adult humans. Volunteers served as their own controls and received both citrus fruit treatments randomly. In the first study, 8 subjects ate single meals of 234-304g of tangerines or 60-540g of pink grapefruit. The second study compared changes in plasma carotenoid concentration caused by feeding 234g of tangerines or 540g of pink grapefruit to 11 subjects. Blood was collected 5 times within 24hours after each citrus meal. Carotenoid concentrations were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Plasma ß-cryptoxanthin concentrations increased within 5hours and then stabilized, remaining high throughout the 24hours measured. Plasma concentrations of lycopene and ß-carotene did not change. These results show that ß-cryptoxanthin concentrations increased after a citrus fruit meal, but lycopene and ß-carotene concentrations did not change after a similar citrus fruit meal. These results support our hypothesis that changes in plasma ß-cryptoxanthin are greater than changes in plasma lycopene or ß-carotene, even when these carotenoids are fed in a similar food matrix.

Reinterpretation of the results of a pooled analysis of dietary carotenoid intake and breast cancer risk by using the interval collapsing method.

OBJECTIVES: A pooled analysis of 18 prospective cohort studies reported in 2012 for evaluating carotenoid intakes and breast cancer risk defined by estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) statuses by using the "highest versus lowest intake" method (HLM). By applying the interval collapsing method (ICM) to maximize the use of the estimated information, we reevaluated the results of the previous analysis in order to reinterpret the inferences made. METHODS: In order to estimate the summary effect size (sES) and its 95% confidence interval (CI), meta-analyses with the random-effects model were conducted for adjusted relative risks and their 95% CI from the second to the fifth interval according to five kinds of carotenoids and ER/PR status. RESULTS: The following new findings were identified: α-Carotene and ß-cryptoxanthin have protective effects on overall breast cancer. All five kinds of carotenoids showed protective effects on ER- breast cancer. ß-Carotene level increased the risk of ER+ or ER+/PR+ breast cancer. α-Carotene, ß-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, and lycopene showed a protective effect on ER-/PR+ or ER-/PR- breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The new facts support the hypothesis that carotenoids that show anticancer effects with anti-oxygen function might reduce the risk of ER- breast cancer. Based on the new facts, the modification of the effects of α-carotene, ß-carotene, and ß-cryptoxanthin should be evaluated according to PR and ER statuses.

Serum ß-cryptoxanthin and ß-carotene derived from Satsuma mandarin and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity: The Mikkabi cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Findings of observational studies suggest cardioprotective effects of antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids. However, recent meta-analyses failed to show the beneficial effects of supplemental intake of antioxidants on cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to assess the association between CVD risk and ß-cryptoxanthin in Japan, where Satsuma mandarin, a major source of ß-cryptoxanthin, is widely consumed. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was part of the Mikkabi cohort study. Surveys were conducted at baseline, in 2003 and 2005, and on follow-up in 2006, 2009, and 2013. We examined brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) with a high cut-off value set at 18.3 m s(-1). Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals for high baPWV were estimated using a Cox proportional hazards model with adjustment for potential confounders. A total of 635 participants with baPWV of less than 18.3 m s(-1) at baseline were included in the analysis. During the follow-up period of 57,921 person-months, 99 subjects developed high baPWV. After multivariate adjustment, the HR for high baPWV in the highest tertile compared with the lowest tertile was significantly low for ß-cryptoxanthin, ß-carotene, and total carotenoids. Serum concentrations of ß-cryptoxanthin and ß-carotene were higher in people who ate Satsuma mandarin frequently. Compared with <1/d intake of Satsuma mandarin, 3-4/d was associated with a low risk of high PWV. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that ß-cryptoxanthin and ß-carotene derived from Satsuma mandarin are candidate micronutrients for preventing arteriosclerosis development. Further longitudinal and interventional studies will be required to validate the effect on CVD.