β-Carotene in the human body: metabolic bioactivation pathways – from digestion to tissue distribution and excretion

Bohn, Torsten; Desmarchelier, Charles; El, Sedef Nehir; Keijer, Jaap; Schothorst, Evert M. van; Rühl, Ralph; Borel, Patrick

doi:10.1017/s0029665118002641

Cited by 104 publications

(98 citation statements)

References 233 publications

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“…The main biological functions of components such as α-and β-carotene are their pronounced pro-vitamin A activity [81,82], and a series of bioactive functions, especially antioxidant activity [83,84]. Along with its bioactive functions, C. moschata brings together fundamental characteristics for biofortification programmes, such as high production potentials and profitability, high efficiency in reducing deficiencies in micronutrients in humans, and good acceptance by producers and consumers in the regions where this crop is grown [8].…”

Section: Identification Of Promising Groups Of Genotypesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brazilian germplasm of winter squash (Cucurbita moschata D.) displays vast genetic variability, allowing identification of promising genotypes for agro-morphological traits

et al. 2020

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Winter squash fruits (Cucurbita moschata D.) are among the best sources of vitamin A precursors and constitute sources of bioactive components such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Approximately 70% of C. moschata seed oil is made up of unsaturated fatty acids, with high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids and components such as vitamin E and carotenoids, which represent a promising nutritional aspect in the production of this vegetable. C. moschata germplasm expresses high genetic variability, especially in Brazil. We assessed 91 C. moschata accessions, from different regions of Brazil, and maintained at the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV) Vegetable Germplasm Bank, to identify early-flowering accessions with high levels of carotenoids in the fruit pulp and high yields of seed and seed oil. Results showed that the accessions have high variability in the number and mass of seeds per fruit, number of accumulated degree-days for flowering, total carotenoid content, and fruit productivity, which allowed selection for considerable gains in these characteristics. Analysis of the correlation between these characteristics provided information that will assist in selection to improve this crop. Cluster analysis resulted in the formation of 16 groups, confirming the variability of the accessions. Per se analysis identified accessions BGH-6749, BGH-5639, and BGH-219 as those with the earliest flowering. Accessions BGH-5455A and BGH-5598A had the highest carotenoid content, with averages greater than 170.00 μg g-1 of fresh mass. With a productivity of 0.13 t ha-1 , accessions BGH-5485A, BGH-4610A, and BGH-5472A were the most promising for seed oil production. These last two accessions corresponded to those with higher seed productivity, averaging 0.58 and 0.54 t ha-1 , respectively. This study confirms the high potential of this germplasm for use in breeding for promotion of earlier flowering and increase in total content of fruit pulp carotenoids and in seed and seed oil productivity.

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Section: Identification Of Promising Groups Of Genotypesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Brazilian germplasm of winter squash (Cucurbita moschata D.) displays vast genetic variability, allowing identification of promising genotypes for agro-morphological traits

et al. 2020

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“…Surprisingly, in this study calculating the individual correlation between the plasma values of ATRA with plasma levels of the main pro-vitamin A all- trans -β-carotene (ATBC, Figure S1 ) displayed no significant correlation determined in all individuals ( n = 40, healthy adults and AD-patients). Therefore, the connection between increased carotenoid intake with following increased plasma ATBC levels and further increased RAR- and RXR-mediated signalling seems to be questionable, like discussed and co-found in recent reports [ 4 , 23 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…A direct functional comparison of found alterations of carotenoid plasma levels of data originating from adults, examined this study, and children [ 7 ] cannot be done because the levels found in children were determined to be much lower. If these reduced levels of carotenoids in AD-patients or atopic children are based on higher chronic inflammation and a further pro-oxidant stress, a targeted selected downregulation of carotenoid absorption and binding, a different occurrence of carotenoid-levels specific polymorphisms or reduced intake of healthy food [ 21 , 23 ], remains speculative. One possible mechanism might be that lutein/zeaxanthin are known to negatively interfere with ATRA-RAR-mediated signalling [ 65 , 66 , 67 ] which was associated with pro-allergic Th2 immune responses [ 1 , 6 , 9 , 17 , 19 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Reduced Carotenoid and Retinoid Concentrations and Altered Lycopene Isomer Ratio in Plasma of Atopic Dermatitis Patients

et al. 2018

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Carotenoids and retinoids are known to alter the allergic response with important physiological roles in the skin and the immune system. In the human organism various carotenoids are present, some of which are retinoid precursors. The bioactive derivatives of these retinoids are the retinoic acids, which can potently activate nuclear hormone receptors such as the retinoic acid receptor and the retinoid X receptor. In this study, we aimed to assess how plasma carotenoid and retinoid concentrations along with the ratio of their isomers are altered in atopic dermatitis (AD) patients (n = 20) compared to healthy volunteers (HV, n = 20). The study indicated that plasma levels of the carotenoids lutein (HV 198 ± 14 ng/mL, AD 158 ± 12 ng/mL, p = 0.02; all values in mean ± SEM), zeaxanthin (HV 349 ± 30 ng/mL, AD 236 ± 18 ng/mL, p ≤ 0.01), as well as the retinoids retinol (HV 216 ± 20 ng/mL, AD 167 ± 17 ng/mL, p = 0.04) and all-trans-retinoic acid (HV 1.1 ± 0.1 ng/mL, AD 0.7 ± 0.1 ng/mL, p = 0.04) were significantly lower in the AD-patients, while lycopene isomers, α-carotene, and β-carotene levels were comparable to that determined in the healthy volunteers. In addition, the ratios of 13-cis- vs. all-trans-lycopene (HV 0.31 ± 0.01, AD 0.45 ± 0.07, p = 0.03) as well as 13-cis- vs. all-trans-retinoic acid (HV 1.4 ± 0.2, AD 2.6 ± 0.6, p = 0.03) were increased in the plasma of AD-patients indicating an AD-specific 13-cis-isomerisation. A positive correlation with SCORAD was calculated with 13-cis- vs. all-trans-lycopene ratio (r = 0.40, p = 0.01), while a negative correlation was observed with zeaxanthin plasma levels (r = −0.42, p = 0.01). Based on our results, we conclude that in the plasma of AD-patients various carotenoids and retinoids are present at lower concentrations, while the ratio of selected lycopene isomers also differed in the AD-patient group. An increase in plasma isomers of both lycopene and retinoic acid may cause an altered activation of nuclear hormone receptor signaling pathways and thus may be partly responsible for the AD-phenotype.

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“…The main biological functions of components such as α - and β -carotene are their pronounced pro-vitamin A activity [74, 75], and a series of bioactive functions, especially antioxidant activity [76, 77]. Along with its bioactive functions, C. moschata brings together fundamental characteristics for biofortification programmes, such as high production potentials and profitability, high efficiency in reducing deficiencies in micronutrients in humans, and good acceptance by producers and consumers in the growing regions [10].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Germplasm of Brazilian winter squash (Cucurbita moschataD.) displays vast genetic variability, allowing identification of promising genotypes for agro-morphological traits

Gomes

Júnior

Almeida

et al. 2020

Preprint

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13Winter squash fruits (Cucurbita moschata D.) are among the best sources of vitamin A 14 precursors and constitute sources of bioactive components such as phenolic compounds and 15 flavonoids. Approximately 70% of C. moschata seed oil is made up of unsaturated fatty acids, 16 with high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids and components such as vitamin E and 17 carotenoids, which represent a promising nutritional aspect in the production of this vegetable. 18C. moschata germplasm expresses high genetic variability, especially in Brazil. We assessed 91 19 C. moschata accessions, from different regions of Brazil, and maintained at the UFV Vegetable 20 Germplasm Bank, to identify early-flowering accessions with high levels of carotenoids in the 21 fruit pulp and high yields of seed and seed oil. Results showed that the accessions have high 22 variability in the number and mass of seeds per fruit, number of accumulated degree-days for 23 flowering, total carotenoid content, and fruit productivity, which allowed selection for 24 considerable gains in these characteristics. Analysis of the correlation between these 25 characteristics provided information that will assist in selection to improve this crop. Cluster 26 analysis resulted in the formation of 16 groups, confirming the variability of the accessions. Per 27 se analysis identified accessions BGH-6749, BGH-5639, and BGH-219 as those with the earliest 28flowering. Accessions BGH-5455A and BGH-5598A had the highest carotenoid content, with 29 averages greater than 170.00 μg g -1 of fresh mass. With a productivity of 0.13 t ha -1 , accessions 30 BGH-5485A, BGH-4610A, and BGH-5472A were the most promising for seed oil production. 31These last two accessions corresponded to those with higher seed productivity, averaging 0.58 2 32 and 0.54 t ha -1 , respectively. This study confirms the high potential of this germplasm for use in 33 breeding for promotion of earlier flowering and increase in total carotenoid content of the fruit 34 pulp and in seed and seed oil productivity. 35 36 38 39 3 65 making this crop fundamental for ensuring healthier diets and promoting food security in the 66 regions where it is grown, particularly in less developed regions and in the context of family-67 based farming. 68 Associated with its socio-economic importance, C. moschata germplasm commonly expresses 69 high genetic variability in all regions where it occurs [15, 16, 17], especially in Brazil [18, 19, 70 20]. Archaeological evidence indicates that this species was present in Latin America prior to 71 colonisation, and appears to have already been an important component in the diet of the native 72 peoples living there [21, 22, 23]. Currently, the variability of this vegetable in Brazil is closely 73 tied to the human populations involved in its cultivation, who are predominantly family-based 74 farmers. The selection practised over time by these populations, associated with the exchange of 75 seeds between them, and the natural occurrence of hybridization in the germplasm of th...

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β-Carotene in the human body: metabolic bioactivation pathways – from digestion to tissue distribution and excretion

Cited by 104 publications

References 233 publications

Brazilian germplasm of winter squash (Cucurbita moschata D.) displays vast genetic variability, allowing identification of promising genotypes for agro-morphological traits

Brazilian germplasm of winter squash (Cucurbita moschata D.) displays vast genetic variability, allowing identification of promising genotypes for agro-morphological traits

Reduced Carotenoid and Retinoid Concentrations and Altered Lycopene Isomer Ratio in Plasma of Atopic Dermatitis Patients

Germplasm of Brazilian winter squash (Cucurbita moschataD.) displays vast genetic variability, allowing identification of promising genotypes for agro-morphological traits

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