Carotenoid Action on the Immune Response

Abstract

Early studies demonstrating the ability of dietary carotenes to prevent infections have left open the possibility that the action of these carotenoids may be through their prior conversion to vitamin A. Subsequent studies to demonstrate the specific action of dietary carotenoids have used carotenoids without provitamin A activity such as lutein, canthaxanthin, lycopene and astaxanthin. In fact, these nonprovitamin A carotenoids were as active, and at times more active, than beta-carotene in enhancing cell-mediated and humoral immune response in animals and humans. Another approach to study the possible specific role of dietary carotenoids has used animals that are inefficient converters of carotenoids to vitamin A, for example the domestic cat. Results have similarly shown immuno-enhancement by nonprovitamin A carotenoids, based either on the relative activity or on the type of immune response affected compared to beta-carotene. Certain carotenoids, acting as antioxidants, can potentially reduce the toxic effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS). These ROS, and therefore carotenoids, have been implicated in the etiology of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and aging. Recent studies on the role of carotenoids in gene regulation, apoptosis and angiogenesis have advanced our knowledge on the possible mechanism by which carotenoids regulate immune function and cancer.

Hen egg carotenoids (lutein and zeaxanthin) and nutritional impacts on human health: a review

“…Overall number of preclinical and observational research studies regarding the role of lutein and zeaxanthin in prevention or reducing the intensity of different cancers continues to evolve from basic research as well as from human studies. These studies directed to bioavailability, metabolism, and dose-response relationships with intermediary biomarkers and clinical outcomes to determine and verify the role of lutein and zeaxanthin in controlling tumor growth in humans (Bertone et al, 2001;Boeke et al, 2014;Chew & Park, 2004;Cho et al, 2003;de Munter, Maasland, van Nkondjock & Ghadirian, 2004;Silvera, Jain, Howe, Miller, & Rohan, 2006;Wang et al, 2014;Yuan, Stam, Arakawa, Lee, & Yu, 2003;Zhang et al, 1999). Although scientific evidence in support of the beneficial role of egg yolk carotenoids in prevention or reducing the intensity of AMD and CVD and neurodegeneration are substantial, research findings about the role of egg carotenoids on different cancers are inconclusive or inconsistent and warranted further research studies, meta-analyzes, to confirm the advantageous effect of egg carotenoids.…”

Astaxanthin Decreases Inflammatory Biomarkers Associated with Cardiovascular Disease in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

“…These highly reactive molecules cause cellular damage, including apoptosis, protein oxidation, DNA modification and lipid peroxidation (Chew and Park, 2004). The endothelial cells lining the blood vessels are very sensitive to injury caused by oxidative stress.…”

Köpek gençlik hastalığının sinirsel formundaki köpeklerin plazmasında vitamin A ve beta-karotin düzeylerindeki değişiklikler

“…Vitamin A bile-şiklerinin, insan immun yetmezlik virusu ile enfekte hastalarda ikincil merkezi sinir sistemi enfeksiyonlarının gelişiminde etkili olan yangı öncesi sitokin ve kemokin üretimini baskıladığı saptanmıştır (46). Diyet karotinleri, myeloperoksidaz aktivitesini artırmak yolu ile nötrofillerin öldürücü etkisini ve fagositik aktivitesini, lenfosit proliferasyonunu, antikor cevabını ve makrofajlarda sitokrom oksidaz ve peroksidaz aktivitelerini artırarak bağışıklık fonksiyonlarını düzenlemek-tedirler (9). Yavru köpeklerde yapılan bir çalışmada (28), kombine olarak KGH virusu ve köpek parvo virusu ile aşılanan köpeklerde, antioksidan vitaminlerden zengin diyetle beslenenlerin, normal diyetle beslenenlere oranla, plazma titrelerinin daha yüksek ve bağışıklık cevapları-nın da daha güçlü olduğu saptanmıştır.…”