Supplementation with Tomato-Based Products Increases Lycopene, Phytofluene, and Phytoene Levels in Human Serum and Protects Against UV-light-induced Erythema

Abstract

Carotenoids are suitable photoprotectants, and beta-carotene supplements are used for protection against ultraviolet (UV) light-induced erythema. Protective effects are also observed when carotenoids are provided with the diet. Here, we investigated the photoprotective effects of synthetic lycopene in comparison with a tomato extract (Lyc-o-Mato) and a drink containing solubilized Lyc-o-Mato (Lyc-o-Guard-Drink). With these different sources, the volunteers ingested similar amounts of lycopene (about 10 mg/day). After 12 weeks of supplementation, significant increases in lycopene serum levels and total skin carotenoids were observed in all groups. Significant increases in the serum levels of phytofluene and phytoene occurred in the Lyc-o-Mato and the Lyc-o-Guard-Drink group. At weeks 0, 4, and 12 an erythema was induced with a solar light simulator. Dorsal skin of each subject was irradiated with 1.25 minimal erythemal dose (MED). Reddening of the skin was evaluated before and 24 hours after irradiation by chromametry and expressed as positive a-values (red/green-axis). delta a-values (difference of a-value before irradiation and after 24 hours) were used as an index of erythema intensity. A decrease in the delta a-value from week 0 to week 12, indicating prevention of erythema formation, was observed in all groups. Compared to week 0, the delta a-value at week 12 was 25% lower in the synthetic lycopene group. The protective effect was more pronounced in the Lyc-o-Mato (38%) and Lyc-o-Guard-Drink (48%) groups. In the two latter groups, phytofluene and phytoene may have contributed to protection. Both of these carotenoids exhibit absorption maxima at wavelengths of UV light. Absorption of UV light protects skin from photodamage and might explain the differences observed between groups.

A comprehensive review on the colorless carotenoids phytoene and phytofluene

“…In this sense it is reasonable to expect that they could contribute to photoprotection by absorbing such damaging light. In this sense, there is evidence that they could protect from UVlight-induced erythema [130]. In this study, volunteers were supplemented with synthetic lycopene, a tomato extract or a tomato-based drink (all of them supplying approximately about 10 mg lycopene/day) for 12 weeks.…”

“…The effect of the interventions in the serum phytoene levels were less pronounced but still noticeable (ca. 2-fold) [130].…”

“…In another interesting study 36 healthy volunteers were randomly allocated to three groups (n = 12), who ingested either synthetic lycopene in beadlets (two hard shell capsules per day; 5.1 mg/capsule), a commercial tomato extract in soft gel capsules (2 capsules per day; 4.9 mg lycopene, 0.4 mg phytofluene, 0.5 mg phytoene, and 0.2 mg b-carotene/capsule) or a commercial tomato-based drink (250 mL two times per day; 4.1 mg lycopene, 1.6 mg [130] phytofluene, 2.3 mg phytoene, and 0.2 mg b-carotene/250 mL). Different isomers of phytoene and phytofluene were detected in the two latter products.…”

Lycopene fortification on the quality characteristics of beverage formulations developed from pink flesh guava (Psidium guajava L.)

“…The photoprotective effects of synthetic lycopene were compared with tomato extract (Lyc-o-Mato R) and a beverage with lyco-o-Mato (Lyc-o-Guard-drink) by feeding volunteers with 10 mg lycopene per day. Significant increase in serum levels of phytofluene and phytoene occurred in the groups fed with the above formulations (Aust et al 2005). Both these carotenoids exhibit absorption maxima at UV wavelengths, which explain the photoprotective effect of these compounds.…”

Intake of Oral Photoprotectors by Postmen in Porto Alegre

“…The minimum beta-carotene supplementation time to achieve a significant photoprotective effect is ten weeks 20 . In relation to lycopene, Stahl et al 27 demonstrated that daily consumption of 40 g of tomato extract (16 mg of lycopene) for ten weeks decreased the formation of erythema after exposure to solar radiation by 40%, while Aust et al 21 found an increase in the skin's ability to protect against UV radiation through the daily intake of approximately 10 mg of lycopene for twelve weeks. Furthermore, Rizwan et al 28 have demonstrated that the daily intake of 16 mg of lycopene for 12 weeks provides protection against acute skin damage caused by sun exposure and potentially also in the long term, due to the reduction of damage at the molecular/cellular level.…”