Carotenoids in Erythropoietic Protoporphyria and Other Photosensitivity Diseases

Abstract

Studies in bacteria, animals and humans have demonstrated that carotenoid pigments can prevent or lessen photosensitivity by endogenous photosensitizers such as chlorophyll or porphyrins, as well as by exogenous photosensitizers such as dyes (e.g., toluidine blue) or porphyrin derivatives. The carotenoids beta-carotene and canthaxanthin have been found to be effective in the treatment of the photosensitivity associated with EPP and certain other photosensitivity diseases. No serious toxicity has been reported from their use, although the use of canthaxanthin is not recommended because of its propensity to form retinal granules. The pigments perform their protective function by quenching excited species formed by the interaction of porphyrins or dyes, light and air, thereby preventing the cellular damage which leads to the symptoms of photosensitivity.

Natural and synthetic substances related to human health (IUPAC Technical Report)

“…β-Carotene and/or canthaxanthin have been used successfully to treat certain genetically inherited diseases in humans such as erythropoietic protoporphyria [92]. No serious toxicological problems were found in these patients after long-term use of high doses of β-carotene (180 mg/d).…”

Nutritional Protection Against Skin Damage From Sunlight

“…β-Carotene and, to a lesser extent, lycopene and other antioxidants are successfully applied to ameliorate secondary effects of erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) (101). High levels of porphyrins trigger photooxidative reactions leading to skin damage.…”

Absorption and retinol equivalence of β-carotene in humans is influenced by dietary vitamin A intake

“…A molecular basis for the observed relationship is suggested in rat studies that report increased activity of the main carotenoid cleavage enzyme, ␤ , ␤ -carotene 15,15 Ј -monooxygenase, in intestinal homogenates of vitamin A-deficient animals (11)(12)(13)(14). Moreover, it has been observed that large doses of ␤ -carotene do not result in vitamin A toxicity (15), suggesting homeostatic control of bioconversion or saturation of the cleavage enzyme.…”