Phytoene, phytofluene, and lycopene from tomato powder differentially accumulate in tissues of male Fisher 344 rats

Abstract

Tomato product consumption is inversely related to prostate cancer incidence, and lycopene (LYC) has been implicated in reduced prostate cancer risk. The contribution of other tomato carotenoids, phytoene (PE) and phytofluene (PF), towards prostate cancer risk has not been adequately studied. The relative uptake and tissue distribution of tomato carotenoids are not known. We hypothesize that PE and PF are bioavailable from a tomato powder diet or from a purified source and accumulate in androgen-sensitive tissues. In this study, 4 wk old male Fisher 344 rats were pre-fed an AIN-93G powder diet composed of 10% tomato powder containing PE, PF, and LYC (0.015, 0.012, and 0.011 g/kg diet, respectively). After 30 d tomato powder feeding, hepatic PF concentrations (168 ± 20 nmol/ g) were higher than PE or LYC (104 ± 13 and 104 ± 13 nmol/g, respectively). In contrast, LYC, followed by PF, had the highest accumulation of the measured carotenoids in the prostate lobes and seminal vesicles. When tomato powder-fed rats received a single oral dose of either ∼2.7 mg PE or PF, an increase in the dosed carotenoid concentration was observed in all measured tissues, except the adrenal. Percent increases of PF were greater than that of PE in liver, serum, and adipose (37, 287 and 49% versus 16, 179 and 23%, respectively). Results indicate that the relative tomato carotenoid biodistribution differs in liver and androgen-sensitive tissues, suggesting that minor changes in the number of sequential double bonds in carotenoid structures alter absorption and/or metabolism of tomato carotenoids.

A comprehensive review on the colorless carotenoids phytoene and phytofluene

“…Different accumulation patterns were also found in other tissues. The authors concluded that the relative distribution of the three carotenoids was distinct in liver and androgen-sensitive tissues and that phytoene could be absorbed more readily than lycopene [121].…”

An improved high performance liquid chromatography–diode array detection–mass spectrometry method for determination of carotenoids and their precursors phytoene and phytofluene in human serum

“…Moreover, several cis-isomers of major carotenoids remained unidentified and a total of only 21 carotenoids were resolved within 51 min [6], which should be inadequate when compared to 30 carotenoids separated within 45 min in our study. Determination of phytoene and phytofluene in this study requires a special mention as recent findings have provided an insight on their bioavailability and bioactivity in both in vitro and in vivo [18][19][20][21]. A polymeric C30 column was used by Campbell et al [21] for separation of only phytoene and phytofluene.…”

“…Determination of phytoene and phytofluene in this study requires a special mention as recent findings have provided an insight on their bioavailability and bioactivity in both in vitro and in vivo [18][19][20][21]. A polymeric C30 column was used by Campbell et al [21] for separation of only phytoene and phytofluene. In a recent study, Rivera et al [14] analyzed a mixture of 16 carotenoids including phytoene and phytofluene by LC-MS, but the method was not validated in real samples.…”

“…Furthermore, biosynthetic carotenoid precursors phytoene and phytofluene have been shown to accumulate in significant quantities in both human serum and tissues, including liver, lung, breast, skin and prostate [19][20][21]. Also, their antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activities have been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo [19][20][21].…”

“…Also, their antioxidant and anticarcinogenic activities have been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo [19][20][21]. Consequently, the determination of their levels in biological samples and metabolites is vital.…”