Factors affecting carotenoid levels in human plasma

• Published in: Nihon Eiyō, Shokuryō Gakkai shi Vol. 48; no. 5; pp. 365 - 369
• Main Authors: Oshima, S. (Kagome Co. Ltd., Nishinasuno, Tochigi (Japan). Kagome Research Inst.), Kojima, F, Sakamoto, H, Ishiguro, Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: Tokyo Japan Society of Nutrition and Food Science 01.01.1995; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• Subjects: BLOOD PLASMA; Carotene; CAROTENOIDE; CAROTENOIDES; CAROTENOIDS; CHOLESTEROL; COLESTEROL; Correlation; Gender aspects; GENERO HUMANO; GENRE HUMAIN; High density lipoprotein; Low density lipoprotein; MANKIND; Plasma; Plasma levels; PLASMA SANGUIN; PLASMA SANGUINEO; retinal; RETINOL; Sex differences; Smoking; TOCOFEROLES; TOCOPHEROL; TOCOPHEROLS; TRIGLICERIDOS; TRIGLYCERIDE; TRIGLYCERIDES; Vitamin A; Xanthophylls; α-tocopherol
• ISSN: 0287-3516; 1883-2849; 1883-2849
• DOI: 10.4327/jsnfs.48.365

We investigated factors which influence the plasma levels of major carotenoids in 76 healthy persons (54 males and 22 females), and also examined the correlation between plasma carotenoid levels and smoking or drinking habits. Significant sex differences were shown in plasma levels of xanthophylls, α-carotene and retinol. The correlation between the plasma level of carotenoids having provitamin A activity and the plasma level of retinol was strongly negative. All plasma carotenoid levels and the plasma α-tocopherol level showed a slightly positive correlation. On the other hand, plasma levels of triglyceride, total-, LDL- and HDL-cholesterol showed a weak correlation with plasma carotenoid levels. Smoking had a tendency to reduce the plasma levels of carotenoids, whereas drinking did not.