Cardiovascular Disease Mortality and Serum Carotenoid Levels: a Japanese Population-based Follow-up Study

Abstract

High serum levels of total carotene, comprising alpha- and beta-carotenes and lycopene, may reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease mortality among the Japanese population.

Effects of simvastatin on carotenoid status in plasma

“…The major ones detectable in human plasma are α-carotene, β-carotene and lycopene (hydrocarbon carotenoids) and lutein, zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin (oxygenated carotenoids) (5). Inverse associations between plasma levels of carotenoids and cardiovascular disease have been reported in several studies (6)(7)(8)(9)(10). The majority of studies has focused on β-carotene and lycopene while a few reports have suggested that oxygenated carotenoids may be of even greater importance for atheroprotection (11)(12)(13).…”

Untitled

“…Supplementation of diets with α-tocopherol significantly increased plasma α-tocopherol levels and resulted in lesser accumulation of peroxides in plasma [50,51]. In addition, previous reports indicated that serum carotenoid levels have been inversely associated with risk of atherosclerosis [52], atherogenic factors [53] and cardiovascular mortality [54]. The prooxidant effects of ß-carotene have been proposed to be due to the tendency of ß-carotene radicals reacting with oxygen to give rise to peroxyl radicals that mediate lipid peroxidation [55].…”

Carotenoids Regulate Endothelial Functions and Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

“…In addition, a prospective study indicated that plasma α-carotene, β-carotene, and lycopene levels were associated with the risk of ischemic stroke [24]. A population-based follow-up study in Japan that examined the relationship between CVD and carotene concentration in 3061 subjects showed that higher serum total carotene levels, including α-and β-carotene and lycopene levels were linked with a reduced risk of CVD mortality [8]. Furthermore, report the inverse significant associations between the highest quintiles of the intake of α-carotene and β-carotene and risk of coronary artery disease [25].…”

“…Although carotenoids in particular are thought to provide health benefits, several studies suggested that these preventative effects may not be due to β-carotene and vitamin E present in fruits and vegetables [6]. In fact, some reports demonstrated that other carotenoids such as lycopene in tomatoes have preventive effects for CVD [7,8].…”