The Journal of Nutrition Vol. 127 No. 10 October 1997, pp. 1993-1999
Copyright ©1997 by the American Society for Nutritional Sciences

-Carotene Isomers in Human Serum, Breast Milk and Buccal Mucosa Cells after Continuous Oral Doses of All-Trans and 9-Cis -Carotene

Elizabeth J. Johnson, Jian Qin, Norman I. Krinsky^*, and Robert M. Russell

Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University and ^* Department of Biochemistry, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111

The concentrations of all-trans -carotene (tBC) and 9-cis -carotene (9cBC) isomers in serum, breast milk and buccal mucosa cells were determined after continuous oral doses as a simple, non-invasive method to determine whether differences in tissue uptake are important determinants of serum responses. Twelve healthy lactating women were recruited for a nonresidential study. On d 1, blood samples were obtained from fasting subjects for baseline concentrations of -carotene isomers. Over a 1-wk period, subjects were given either seven doses of a placebo (n = 4) or seven doses of naturally occurring BC (n = 8) derived from Dunaliella bardawil (64 mg tBC, 69 mg 9cBC). Subjects were instructed to consume a single -carotene dose along with a meal containing adequate fat each day for 1 wk. On d 2, 3, 5 and 8, blood samples and breast milk were collected from fasting subjects. On d 1 and 8, buccal mucosa cells were collected. Samples were analyzed for carotenoids by HPLC. In the experimental group, the mean serum concentration of tBC significantly increased to seven times the baseline level by the end of the supplementation period (P < 0.0001). The serum concentration of 9cBC significantly increased to three times the baseline level by the end of the supplementation period (P < 0.0001). The changes in milk and buccal mucosa cells levels of tBC and 9cBC followed a pattern similar to that for serum, showing significant increases at the end of the supplementation period. In the control group, the serum, milk and buccal mucosa cell concentrations of BC isomers did not change. This study confirms the previously reported differences in the serum response curves of tBC and 9cBC and provides evidence that there is no difference in tissue uptake of tBC and 9cBC.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. Neuringer, M. M. Sandstrom, E. J. Johnson, and D. M. Snodderly Nutritional Manipulation of Primate Retinas, I: Effects of Lutein or Zeaxanthin Supplements on Serum and Macular Pigment in Xanthophyll-Free Rhesus Monkeys Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci., September 1, 2004; 45(9): 3234 - 3243. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. P Gossage, M. Deyhim, S. Yamini, L. W Douglass, and P. B Moser-Veillon Carotenoid composition of human milk during the first month postpartum and the response to {beta}-carotene supplementation Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, July 1, 2002; 76(1): 193 - 197. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Lietz, C J. K Henry, G. Mulokozi, J. K. Mugyabuso, A. Ballart, G. D Ndossi, W. Lorri, and A. Tomkins Comparison of the effects of supplemental red palm oil and sunflower oil on maternal vitamin A status Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, October 1, 2001; 74(4): 501 - 509. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. Paetau, D. Rao, E. R Wiley, E. D Brown, and B. A Clevidence Carotenoids in human buccal mucosa cells after 4 wk of supplementation with tomato juice or lycopene supplements Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, October 1, 1999; 70(4): 490 - 494. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Osterlie, B. Bjerkeng, and S. Liaaen-Jensen Accumulation of Astaxanthin all-E, 9Z and 13Z Geometrical Isomers and 3 and 3' RS Optical Isomers in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is Selective J. Nutr., February 1, 1999; 129(2): 391 - 398. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]