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Background: Studies in animals and in humans have suggested that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, might reduce the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, but appropriately designed trials are lacking. Method(s): We randomly assigned 1273 infants born before 29 weeks of gestation (stratified according to sex, gestational age [<27 weeks or 27 to <29 weeks], and center) within 3 days after their first enteral feeding to receive either an enteral emulsion providing DHA at a dose of 60 mg per kilogram of body weight per day or a control (soy) emulsion without DHA until 36 weeks of postmenstrual age. The primary outcome was bronchopulmonary dysplasia, defined on a physiological basis (with the use of oxygen-saturation monitoring in selected infants), at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age or discharge home, whichever occurred first. Result(s): A total of 1205 infants survived to the primary outcome assessment. Of the 592 infants assigned to the DHA group, 291 (49.1% by multiple imputation) were classified as having physiological bronchopulmonary dysplasia, as compared with 269 (43.9%) of the 613 infants assigned to the control group (relative risk adjusted for randomization strata, 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02 to 1.25; P = 0.02). The composite outcome of physiological bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death before 36 weeks of postmenstrual age occurred in 52.3% of the infants in the DHA group and in 46.4% of the infants in the control group (adjusted relative risk, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.23; P = 0.045). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the rates of death or any other neonatal illnesses. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia based on a clinical definition occurred in 53.2% of the infants in the DHA group and in 49.7% of the infants in the control group (P = 0.06). Conclusion(s): Enteral DHA supplementation at a dose of 60 mg per kilogram per day did not result in a lower risk of physiological bronchopulmonary dys

Background: Studies in animals and in humans have suggested that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, might reduce the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, but appropriately designed trials are lacking. Method(s): We randomly assigned 1273 infants born before 29 weeks of gestation (stratified according to sex, gestational age [<27 weeks or 27 to <29 weeks], and center) within 3 days after their first enteral feeding to receive either an enteral emulsion providing DHA at a dose of 60 mg per kilogram of body weight per day or a control (soy) emulsion without DHA until 36 weeks of postmenstrual age. The primary outcome was bronchopulmonary dysplasia, defined on a physiological basis (with the use of oxygen-saturation monitoring in selected infants), at 36 weeks of postmenstrual age or discharge home, whichever occurred first. Result(s): A total of 1205 infants survived to the primary outcome assessment. Of the 592 infants assigned to the DHA group, 291 (49.1% by multiple imputation) were classified as having physiological bronchopulmonary dysplasia, as compared with 269 (43.9%) of the 613 infants assigned to the control group (relative risk adjusted for randomization strata, 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02 to 1.25; P = 0.02). The composite outcome of physiological bronchopulmonary dysplasia or death before 36 weeks of postmenstrual age occurred in 52.3% of the infants in the DHA group and in 46.4% of the infants in the control group (adjusted relative risk, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.23; P = 0.045). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the rates of death or any other neonatal illnesses. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia based on a clinical definition occurred in 53.2% of the infants in the DHA group and in 49.7% of the infants in the control group (P = 0.06). Conclusion(s): Enteral DHA supplementation at a dose of 60 mg per kilogram per day did not result in a lower risk of physiological bronchopulmonary dys

Objective Carnosine is a naturally present dipeptide in humans and an over-the counter food additive. Evidence from animal studies supports the role for carnosine in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, yet there is limited human data. This study investigated whether carnosine supplementation in individuals with overweight or obesity improves diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors. Methods In a double-blind randomized pilot trial in nondiabetic individuals with overweight and obesity (age 43 +/- 8 years; body mass index 31 +/- 4 kg/m2), 15 individuals were randomly assigned to 2 g carnosine daily and 15 individuals to placebo for 12 weeks. Insulin sensitivity and secretion, glucose tolerance (oral glucose tolerance test), blood pressure, plasma lipid profile, skeletal muscle (1H-MRS), and urinary carnosine levels were measured. Results Carnosine concentrations increased in urine after supplementation (P < 0.05). An increase in fasting insulin and insulin resistance was hampered in individuals receiving carnosine compared to placebo, and this remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, and change in body weight (P = 0.02, P = 0.04, respectively). Two-hour glucose and insulin were both lower after carnosine supplementation compared to placebo in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (P < 0.05). Conclusions These pilot intervention data suggest that carnosine supplementation may be an effective strategy for prevention of type 2 diabetes.Copyright © 2016 The Obesity Society.

Objective Carnosine is a naturally present dipeptide in humans and an over-the counter food additive. Evidence from animal studies supports the role for carnosine in the prevention and treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, yet there is limited human data. This study investigated whether carnosine supplementation in individuals with overweight or obesity improves diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors. Methods In a double-blind randomized pilot trial in nondiabetic individuals with overweight and obesity (age 43 +/- 8 years; body mass index 31 +/- 4 kg/m2), 15 individuals were randomly assigned to 2 g carnosine daily and 15 individuals to placebo for 12 weeks. Insulin sensitivity and secretion, glucose tolerance (oral glucose tolerance test), blood pressure, plasma lipid profile, skeletal muscle (1H-MRS), and urinary carnosine levels were measured. Results Carnosine concentrations increased in urine after supplementation (P < 0.05). An increase in fasting insulin and insulin resistance was hampered in individuals receiving carnosine compared to placebo, and this remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, and change in body weight (P = 0.02, P = 0.04, respectively). Two-hour glucose and insulin were both lower after carnosine supplementation compared to placebo in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance (P < 0.05). Conclusions These pilot intervention data suggest that carnosine supplementation may be an effective strategy for prevention of type 2 diabetes.Copyright © 2016 The Obesity Society.

Epidemiological evidence suggests a geographical basis for the incidence of prostate cancer and dietary factors, including isoflavone consumption, may be linked to this phenomenon. This paper reports a nonrandomized, nonblinded trial with historically matched controls from archival tissue designed to determine the effects of acute exposure to a dietary supplement of isoflavones in men with clinically significant prostate cancer before radical prostatectomy. Thirty-eight patients were recruited to the study upon diagnosis of prostate cancer. Before surgery, 20 men consumed 160 mg/day of red clover-derived dietary isoflavones, containing a mixture of genistein, daidzein, formononetin, and biochanin A. Serum PSA, testosterone, and biochemical factors were measured, and clinical and pathological parameters were recorded. The incidence of apoptosis in prostate tumor cells from radical prostatectomy specimens was compared between 18 treated and 18 untreated control tissues. There were no significant differences between pre- and posttreatment serum PSA, Gleason score, serum testosterone, or biochemical factors in the treated patients (P > 0.05). Apoptosis in radical prostatectomy specimens from treated patients was significantly higher than in control subjects (P = 0.0018), specifically in regions of low to moderate-grade cancer (Gleason grade 1-3). No adverse events related to the treatment were reported. This report suggests that dietary isoflavones may halt the progression of prostate cancer by inducing apoptosis in low to moderate-grade tumors, potentially contributing to the lower incidence of clinically significant disease in Asian men. The assessment of new prostatic therapies aimed at increasing apoptosis should control for intake of dietary isoflavones.

The effects of tocotrienol-rich vitamin E from palm oil on serum vitamin E concentrations, serum lipids, plasma prostaglandins and platelet function (assessed by bleeding time and aggregation) were investigated in 44 subjects (23 males, 21 females) with hypercholesterolaemia. Following a 6-week run-in period, subjects were randomized for 20 weeks to receive either tocotrienol or placebo (superolein from palm oil), in increasing dosages. By the 4th week of supplementation, and at lowest dosages, there were significant increases in serum concentrations of total vitamin E, total tocopherol, and total tocotrienol in the active, but not placebo group, and these persisted in the highest dosage group for 16 weeks. At no stage during the study were there any significant changes in serum lipids (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol or triglycerides), or any changes in lipids predictable by serum vitamin E status itself, even when body composition was taken into account. There were also no changes in plasma prostaglandins or in platelet function. Evidence was obtained that the serum responses to ingested tocotrienols and tocopherols favoured tocopherol over tocotrienol, and alpha tocopherol over gamma tocopherol.

Background: With advances in neonatal intensive care, increasing numbers of preterm neonates are now surviving. In the past they would have died before there was time to develop chronic lung disease (CLD). Based on the definition of a neonate requiring any form of respiratory therapy (oxygen or assisted ventilation) at 36 weeks' post-menstrual age, the CLD rate in Australia is 52% in those <28 weeks and 12% in those 28-32 weeks gestation. The high CLD rate in the former group is due to their improved survival rates (one-year survival rate of infants born in the State of Victoria is 41% at 23 and 24 weeks, 73% at 25 weeks, and 88% at 26 weeks). Data sources: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including meta-analyses and Cochrane reviews on the prevention and treatment of CLD were identified in the published literature. Result(s): The following perinatal strategies were found to be effective in preventing or minimizing CLD: antenatal corticosteroids, postnatal surfactant, reduced oxygen saturation targeting at 89%-94%, early use of continuous positive airway pressure, synchronized ventilation, permissive hypercapnia ventilation strategy, high frequency oscillatory ventilation, closure of symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus with indomethacin, reduced fluid intake, and inhaled nitric oxide. Several anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agents have been found in RCTs to be effective, including vitamin A and recombinant human superoxide dismutase. Clinical management after the development of CLD includes appropriate oxygen and ventilation strategies, fluid restriction, and diuretic and bronchodilator therapy. Postnatal corticosteroid therapy is efficacious but its side-effect is increasing. The risk of cerebral palsy outweighs the benefit of therapy. Only in severe CLD, low-dose and short-course dexamethasone should be used. Conclusion(s): Ongoing basic and clinical research is required to identify perinatal and neonatal interventions that are effective in either preventi

Objective: To examine the effects of dietary soy/isoflavones on 24 hr blood pressure profiles and arterial function [systemic arterial compliance (SAC), pulse wave velocity (PWV) and brachial arterial flow mediated vasodilation (FMD)] compared to non legume-based plant protein without isoflavones, in hypertensive subjects. Design(s): In a 6 month double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over trial, 41 hypertensive subjects (26 men, 15 postmenopausal women), 30-75 years, received soy cereal (40 g soy protein, 118 mg isoflavones) and gluten placebo cereal, each for 3 months. Result(s): Thirty-eight subjects completed protocol with results expressed as mean or mean change (+/-SEM) with each intervention. Soy increased urinary isoflavones (daidzein: 8-fold; genistein: 8-fold; equol: 9-fold; ODMA: 18-fold) with no change during gluten placebo. There was no difference in the change in individual 24 hr ambulatory BP parameters (SBP: 2 +/- 2 vs -1 +/- 1 mmHg, p = 0.21; DBP: 1 +/- 1 vs -1 +/- 1 mmHg, p = 0.06) central BP (cSBP: -4 +/- 2 vs 0 +/- 2 mmHg, p = 0.2) or the change in arterial function (FMD: 0.3 +/- 0.5 vs -0.2 +/- 0.5%, p = NS; SAC: 0.02 +/- 0.02 vs -0.02 +/- 0.02 U/mmHg, p = NS; PWV central: -0.2 +/- 0.2 vs 0.0 +/- 0.2 m/sec, p = NS; PWV peripheral: 0.01 +/- 0.3 vs -0.4 +/- 0.4 m/sec, p = NS) noted between interventions. Analysis of the area under curve of 24 hr BP outputs demonstrated that soy protein compared to gluten protein resulted in higher 24 hr systolic BP by 2.3 mmHg (p = 0.003), a higher daytime systolic BP by 3.4 mmHg (p = 0.0002) and a higher daytime diastolic BP by 1.4 mmHg (p = 0.008). Overall 24 hr diastolic BP, night systolic BP and night diastolic BP were not significantly different between groups. Furthermore, soy protein compared to gluten protein resulted in higher 24 hr heart rates by 3.5 bpm (p < 0.0001). Conclusion(s): In hypertensive subjects, compared to gluten placebo, soy dietary supplementation containing isoflavones had no effect on

Epidemiological evidence suggests a geographical basis for the incidence of prostate cancer and dietary factors, including isoflavone consumption, may be linked to this phenomenon. This paper reports a nonrandomized, nonblinded trial with historically matched controls from archival tissue designed to determine the effects of acute exposure to a dietary supplement of isoflavones in men with clinically significant prostate cancer before radical prostatectomy. Thirty-eight patients were recruited to the study upon diagnosis of prostate cancer. Before surgery, 20 men consumed 160 mg/day of red clover-derived dietary isoflavones, containing a mixture of genistein, daidzein, formononetin, and biochanin A. Serum PSA, testosterone, and biochemical factors were measured, and clinical and pathological parameters were recorded. The incidence of apoptosis in prostate tumor cells from radical prostatectomy specimens was compared between 18 treated and 18 untreated control tissues. There were no significant differences between pre- and posttreatment serum PSA, Gleason score, serum testosterone, or biochemical factors in the treated patients (P > 0.05). Apoptosis in radical prostatectomy specimens from treated patients was significantly higher than in control subjects (P = 0.0018), specifically in regions of low to moderate-grade cancer (Gleason grade 1-3). No adverse events related to the treatment were reported. This report suggests that dietary isoflavones may halt the progression of prostate cancer by inducing apoptosis in low to moderate-grade tumors, potentially contributing to the lower incidence of clinically significant disease in Asian men. The assessment of new prostatic therapies aimed at increasing apoptosis should control for intake of dietary isoflavones.

Background: With advances in neonatal intensive care, increasing numbers of preterm neonates are now surviving. In the past they would have died before there was time to develop chronic lung disease (CLD). Based on the definition of a neonate requiring any form of respiratory therapy (oxygen or assisted ventilation) at 36 weeks' post-menstrual age, the CLD rate in Australia is 52% in those <28 weeks and 12% in those 28-32 weeks gestation. The high CLD rate in the former group is due to their improved survival rates (one-year survival rate of infants born in the State of Victoria is 41% at 23 and 24 weeks, 73% at 25 weeks, and 88% at 26 weeks). Data sources: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), including meta-analyses and Cochrane reviews on the prevention and treatment of CLD were identified in the published literature. Result(s): The following perinatal strategies were found to be effective in preventing or minimizing CLD: antenatal corticosteroids, postnatal surfactant, reduced oxygen saturation targeting at 89%-94%, early use of continuous positive airway pressure, synchronized ventilation, permissive hypercapnia ventilation strategy, high frequency oscillatory ventilation, closure of symptomatic patent ductus arteriosus with indomethacin, reduced fluid intake, and inhaled nitric oxide. Several anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agents have been found in RCTs to be effective, including vitamin A and recombinant human superoxide dismutase. Clinical management after the development of CLD includes appropriate oxygen and ventilation strategies, fluid restriction, and diuretic and bronchodilator therapy. Postnatal corticosteroid therapy is efficacious but its side-effect is increasing. The risk of cerebral palsy outweighs the benefit of therapy. Only in severe CLD, low-dose and short-course dexamethasone should be used. Conclusion(s): Ongoing basic and clinical research is required to identify perinatal and neonatal interventions that are effective in either preventi

The effects of tocotrienol-rich vitamin E from palm oil on serum vitamin E concentrations, serum lipids, plasma prostaglandins and platelet function (assessed by bleeding time and aggregation) were investigated in 44 subjects (23 males, 21 females) with hypercholesterolaemia. Following a 6-week run-in period, subjects were randomized for 20 weeks to receive either tocotrienol or placebo (superolein from palm oil), in increasing dosages. By the 4th week of supplementation, and at lowest dosages, there were significant increases in serum concentrations of total vitamin E, total tocopherol, and total tocotrienol in the active, but not placebo group, and these persisted in the highest dosage group for 16 weeks. At no stage during the study were there any significant changes in serum lipids (total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol or triglycerides), or any changes in lipids predictable by serum vitamin E status itself, even when body composition was taken into account. There were also no changes in plasma prostaglandins or in platelet function. Evidence was obtained that the serum responses to ingested tocotrienols and tocopherols favoured tocopherol over tocotrienol, and alpha tocopherol over gamma tocopherol.

Objective: To examine the effects of dietary soy/isoflavones on 24 hr blood pressure profiles and arterial function [systemic arterial compliance (SAC), pulse wave velocity (PWV) and brachial arterial flow mediated vasodilation (FMD)] compared to non legume-based plant protein without isoflavones, in hypertensive subjects. Design(s): In a 6 month double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over trial, 41 hypertensive subjects (26 men, 15 postmenopausal women), 30-75 years, received soy cereal (40 g soy protein, 118 mg isoflavones) and gluten placebo cereal, each for 3 months. Result(s): Thirty-eight subjects completed protocol with results expressed as mean or mean change (+/-SEM) with each intervention. Soy increased urinary isoflavones (daidzein: 8-fold; genistein: 8-fold; equol: 9-fold; ODMA: 18-fold) with no change during gluten placebo. There was no difference in the change in individual 24 hr ambulatory BP parameters (SBP: 2 +/- 2 vs -1 +/- 1 mmHg, p = 0.21; DBP: 1 +/- 1 vs -1 +/- 1 mmHg, p = 0.06) central BP (cSBP: -4 +/- 2 vs 0 +/- 2 mmHg, p = 0.2) or the change in arterial function (FMD: 0.3 +/- 0.5 vs -0.2 +/- 0.5%, p = NS; SAC: 0.02 +/- 0.02 vs -0.02 +/- 0.02 U/mmHg, p = NS; PWV central: -0.2 +/- 0.2 vs 0.0 +/- 0.2 m/sec, p = NS; PWV peripheral: 0.01 +/- 0.3 vs -0.4 +/- 0.4 m/sec, p = NS) noted between interventions. Analysis of the area under curve of 24 hr BP outputs demonstrated that soy protein compared to gluten protein resulted in higher 24 hr systolic BP by 2.3 mmHg (p = 0.003), a higher daytime systolic BP by 3.4 mmHg (p = 0.0002) and a higher daytime diastolic BP by 1.4 mmHg (p = 0.008). Overall 24 hr diastolic BP, night systolic BP and night diastolic BP were not significantly different between groups. Furthermore, soy protein compared to gluten protein resulted in higher 24 hr heart rates by 3.5 bpm (p < 0.0001). Conclusion(s): In hypertensive subjects, compared to gluten placebo, soy dietary supplementation containing isoflavones had no effect on

The presence of phytate in calcium-fortified soymilk may interfere with mineral absorption. Certain lactic acid bacteria (LAB) produce the enzyme phytase that degrades phytates and therefore may potentially improve mineral bioavailability and absorption. This study investigates the phytase activity and phytate degradation potential of 7 strains of LAB including: Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC4962, ATCC33200, ATCC4356, ATCC4161, L. casei ASCC290, L. plantarum ASCC276, and L. fermentum VRI-003. Activity of these bacteria was examined both in screening media and in calcium-fortified soymilk supplemented with potassium phytate. Most strains produced phytase under both conditions with L. acidophilus ATCC4161 showing the highest activity. Phytase activity in fortified soymilk fermented with L. acidophilus ATCC4962 and L. acidophilus ATCC4161 increased by 85% and 91%, respectively, between 12 h and 24 h of fermentation. All strains expressed peak phytase activity at approximately pH 5. However, no phytate degradation could be observed. © 2010 Institute of Food Technologists.

The presence of phytate in calcium-fortified soymilk may interfere with mineral absorption. Certain lactic acid bacteria (LAB) produce the enzyme phytase that degrades phytates and therefore may potentially improve mineral bioavailability and absorption. This study investigates the phytase activity and phytate degradation potential of 7 strains of LAB including: Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC4962, ATCC33200, ATCC4356, ATCC4161, L. casei ASCC290, L. plantarum ASCC276, and L. fermentum VRI-003. Activity of these bacteria was examined both in screening media and in calcium-fortified soymilk supplemented with potassium phytate. Most strains produced phytase under both conditions with L. acidophilus ATCC4161 showing the highest activity. Phytase activity in fortified soymilk fermented with L. acidophilus ATCC4962 and L. acidophilus ATCC4161 increased by 85% and 91%, respectively, between 12 h and 24 h of fermentation. All strains expressed peak phytase activity at approximately pH 5. However, no phytate degradation could be observed. © 2010 Institute of Food Technologists.

The objective of this study was to enhance calcium solubility and bioavailability from calcium-fortified soymilk by fermentation with 7 strains of Lactobacillus, namely, L. acidophilus ATCC 4962, ATCC33200, ATCC 4356, ATCC 4461, L. casei ASCC 290, L. plantarum ASCC 276, and L. fermentum VRI-003. The parameters that were used are viability, pH, calcium solubility, organic acid, and biologically active isoflavone aglycone content. Calcium-fortified soymilk made from soy protein isolate was inoculated with these probiotic strains, incubated for 24 h at 37degreeC, then stored for 14 d at 4degreeC. Soluble calcium was measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AA). Organic acids and bioactive isoflavone aglycones, including diadzein, genistein, and glycetein, were measured using HPLC. Viability of the strains in the fermented calcium-fortified soymilk was > 8.5 log10 CFU/g after 24 h fermentation and this was maintained for 14-d storage at 4degreeC. After 24 h, there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in soluble calcium. L. acidophilus ATCC 4962 and L. casei ASCC 290 demonstrated the highest increase with 89.3% and 87.0% soluble calcium after 24 h, respectively. The increase in calcium solubility observed was related to lowered pH associated with production of lactic and acetic acids. Fermentation significantly increased (P < 0.05) the level of conversion of isoflavones into biologically active aglycones, including diadzein, genistein, and glycetein. Our results show that fermenting calcium-fortified soymilk with the selected probiotics can potentially enhance the calcium bioavailability of calcium-fortified soymilk due to increased calcium solubility and bioactive isoflavone aglycone enrichment. © 2007 Institute of Food Technologists.

The objective of this study was to enhance calcium solubility and bioavailability from calcium-fortified soymilk by fermentation with 7 strains of Lactobacillus, namely, L. acidophilus ATCC 4962, ATCC33200, ATCC 4356, ATCC 4461, L. casei ASCC 290, L. plantarum ASCC 276, and L. fermentum VRI-003. The parameters that were used are viability, pH, calcium solubility, organic acid, and biologically active isoflavone aglycone content. Calcium-fortified soymilk made from soy protein isolate was inoculated with these probiotic strains, incubated for 24 h at 37degreeC, then stored for 14 d at 4degreeC. Soluble calcium was measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AA). Organic acids and bioactive isoflavone aglycones, including diadzein, genistein, and glycetein, were measured using HPLC. Viability of the strains in the fermented calcium-fortified soymilk was > 8.5 log10 CFU/g after 24 h fermentation and this was maintained for 14-d storage at 4degreeC. After 24 h, there was a significant increase (P < 0.05) in soluble calcium. L. acidophilus ATCC 4962 and L. casei ASCC 290 demonstrated the highest increase with 89.3% and 87.0% soluble calcium after 24 h, respectively. The increase in calcium solubility observed was related to lowered pH associated with production of lactic and acetic acids. Fermentation significantly increased (P < 0.05) the level of conversion of isoflavones into biologically active aglycones, including diadzein, genistein, and glycetein. Our results show that fermenting calcium-fortified soymilk with the selected probiotics can potentially enhance the calcium bioavailability of calcium-fortified soymilk due to increased calcium solubility and bioactive isoflavone aglycone enrichment. © 2007 Institute of Food Technologists.

The effect of beta-carotene supplementation on major serum carotenoid fractions (lutein/zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene) was investigated in 224 people with colorectal adenomas (139 men, 85 women) recruited for the Australian Polyp Prevention Project (APPP). Each subject was randomly assigned to take either 20 mg beta-carotene/d or placebo over 24 mo. Besides the expected increase in serum concentration of beta-carotene (1073% in men, 839% in women), lycopene (176% in men) and alpha- carotene (211% in men and 166% in women) concentrations were also increased after body mass index, baseline concentration, change in respective carotenoid intake, and other confounding factors were adjusted for. The increase in serum concentrations of these carotenoids after beta-carotene supplementation suggests that beta-carotene may interact biologically with other carotenoids and such interaction would need to be taken into consideration when the protective effect of beta-carotene supplementation for cancer or other diseases is examined.

The effect of beta-carotene supplementation on major serum carotenoid fractions (lutein/zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene) was investigated in 224 people with colorectal adenomas (139 men, 85 women) recruited for the Australian Polyp Prevention Project (APPP). Each subject was randomly assigned to take either 20 mg beta-carotene/d or placebo over 24 mo. Besides the expected increase in serum concentration of beta-carotene (1073% in men, 839% in women), lycopene (176% in men) and alpha- carotene (211% in men and 166% in women) concentrations were also increased after body mass index, baseline concentration, change in respective carotenoid intake, and other confounding factors were adjusted for. The increase in serum concentrations of these carotenoids after beta-carotene supplementation suggests that beta-carotene may interact biologically with other carotenoids and such interaction would need to be taken into consideration when the protective effect of beta-carotene supplementation for cancer or other diseases is examined.