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Article

ß-Carotene Does Not Change Markers of Enzymatic and Nonenzymatic Antioxidant Activity in Human Blood¹

Jacqueline J. M. Castenmiller^*, Søren T. Lauridsen, Lars O. Dragsted, Karin H. van het Hof^**, Jozef P. H. Linssen and Clive E. West^*2

^* Division of Human Nutrition and Epidemiology and Food Science Group, Department of Food Technology and Nutritional Sciences, Wageningen Agricultural University, 6700 EV Wageningen, The Netherlands; Institute of Food Safety and Toxicology, Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, DK-2860 Søborg, Denmark; and ^** Unilever Research Vlaardingen, 3130 AC Vlaardingen, The Netherlands

²To whom correspondence should be addressed.

In vitamin A–replete populations, increased concentrations of serum carotenoids have been associated with a decreased risk of degenerative diseases. The mechanism of action of carotenoids in determining antioxidant activity is largely unknown. The aim of the study was to examine the effect of carotenoid supplementation and spinach intake on erythrocyte enzyme antioxidant activities, serum or plasma nonenzymatic antioxidant concentrations, and concentrations of oxidatively damaged amino acids in plasma. Subjects received for 3 wk a basic diet (n = 10), a basic diet with a carotenoid supplement (n = 12) or with a spinach product (n = 12 per group), i.e., whole-leaf, minced, liquefied or liquefied spinach plus added dietary fiber. After 3 wk of dietary intervention, changes in serum or plasma concentrations of ascorbic acid, -tocopherol, FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma) and uric acid and erythrocyte enzyme activities were assessed, and differences among experimental groups were tested. Consumption of spinach resulted in greater (P < 0.01) erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity and lower (P < 0.05) erythrocyte catalase activity and serum -tocopherol concentration compared with the control group. Consumption of the carotenoid supplement led to lower -tocopherol responses (P = 0.02) compared with the basic diet only. Our data suggest that the short-term changes in erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity and serum -tocopherol concentration can be attributed to an increased carotenoid (lutein and zeaxanthin) intake, but ß-carotene is unlikely to be a causative factor. Lower erythrocyte catalase activity after intervention with spinach products may be related to other constituents in spinach such as flavonoids.

KEY WORDS: • carotenoids • antioxidants • -tocopherol • humans • spinach

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