Serum carotenoids and Pediatric Metabolic Index predict insulin sensitivity in Mexican American children

Abstract

High concentrations of carotenoids are protective against cardiometabolic risk traits (CMTs) in adults and children. We recently showed in non-diabetic Mexican American (MA) children that serum α-carotene and β-carotene are inversely correlated with obesity measures and triglycerides and positively with HDL cholesterol and that they were under strong genetic influences. Additionally, we previously described a Pediatric Metabolic Index (PMI) that helps in the identification of children who are at risk for cardiometabolic diseases. Here, we quantified serum lycopene and β-cryptoxanthin concentrations in approximately 580 children from MA families using an ultraperformance liquid chromatography-photodiode array and determined their heritabilities and correlations with CMTs. Using response surface methodology (RSM), we determined two-way interactions of carotenoids and PMI on Matsuda insulin sensitivity index (ISI). The concentrations of lycopene and β-cryptoxanthin were highly heritable [h2 = 0.98, P = 7 × 10–18 and h2 = 0.58, P = 1 × 10–7]. We found significant (P ≤ 0.05) negative phenotypic correlations between β-cryptoxanthin and five CMTs: body mass index (− 0.22), waist circumference (− 0.25), triglycerides (− 0.18), fat mass (− 0.23), fasting glucose (− 0.09), and positive correlations with HDL cholesterol (0.29). In contrast, lycopene only showed a significant negative correlation with fasting glucose (− 0.08) and a positive correlation with HDL cholesterol (0.18). Importantly, we found that common genetic influences significantly contributed to the observed phenotypic correlations. RSM showed that increased serum concentrations of α- and β-carotenoids rather than that of β-cryptoxanthin or lycopene had maximal effects on ISI. In summary, our findings suggest that the serum carotenoids are under strong additive genetic influences and may have differential effects on susceptibility to CMTs in children.

α‐Carotene: a valuable carotenoid in biological and medical research

“…Carotenoids have long been thought to have positive effects on cardiovascular health. High concentrations of carotenoids were protective against cardiometabolic risk traits in adults and children 57 . Increased blood α ‐carotene levels were associated with beneficial changes in heart rate variability in an adult population‐based study of cardiovascular disease stratified analysis 76 .…”

“…High concentrations of carotenoids were protective against cardiometabolic risk traits in adults and children. 57 Increased blood ⊍-carotene levels were associated with beneficial changes in heart rate variability in an adult populationbased study of cardiovascular disease stratified analysis. 76 In a population-based study between plasma carotenoid concentrations and intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery, ⊍-carotene may be associated with decreased carotid atherosclerosis in elderly men from eastern Finland.…”

“…94 In independent medical studies of non-diabetic Mexican American children and premenopausal women, serum ⊍-carotene was inversely correlated with obesity measures. [57][58][59] ⊍-Carotene may be a biomarker for chronic disease risk linked with obesity.…”

“…However, carotenoids, among many active substances, showed promising effects in overweight or obese subjects 94 . In independent medical studies of non‐diabetic Mexican American children and premenopausal women, serum α ‐carotene was inversely correlated with obesity measures 57‐59 . α ‐Carotene may be a biomarker for chronic disease risk linked with obesity.…”

Effect of Lycopene Intake on the Fasting Blood Glucose Level: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

“…Regarding antidiabetic effects, a higher dietary lycopene intake has been observed in non-T2D men compared to T2D men [ 22 ]. Increased plasma or serum lycopene levels have been reported to be associated with lower risks of T2D [ 23 ] and also better glycemic control (lower FBG) in T2D patients [ 24 , 25 ]. Recently, a review article summarized the lycopene effects on glycemic control in T2D.…”