• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.771-779
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• 2004

This study was performed to investigate the effect of dietary $\beta$-carotene supplementation on lipid metabolism and antioxidant enzyme activities in hyperlipidemic rats. Fifty Sprague-Dawley male rats aging 7 weeks were fed the control diet (CD,5% corn oil) and the high fat diet (HFD,15% beef tallow +1% cholesterol) for 4 weeks and then 0.02% $\beta$-carotene was supplemented to CD and HFD group for 8 more weeks. Serum lipid compositions, lipid peroxides and antioxidative enzymes in liver were analyzed at 4, 8 and 12week of the experiment. Serum levels of total lipid, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol were higher in HFD groups than in CD groups (p < 0.001), Serum levels of HDL-cholesterol were higher in CD groups than in HFD groups (p < 0.01) . The effect of $\beta$-carotene supplementation was not significant in all groups but tended to be lower in total lipid, total cholesterol and Triglyceride. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels in plasma and liver were showed significantly higher in HFD groups (p < 0.001, p < 0.05). The effects of $\beta$-carotene supplementation on the level of plasma and liver TBARS were not found except HFD groups at 12 week. Liver conjugated diene levels in HFD groups were higher than in CD groups (p < 0.01), but the effect of $\beta$-carotene supplementation did not show any differences. Liver lipofuscin levels were not significantly different among all groups. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase were significantly lower in HFD groups at 8 week (p < 0.001) but were not significantly different at 4 and 12week. The activity of SOD in $\beta$-carotene supplemented HFD group was significantly higher at 8 week (p < 0.01). Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity was significantly lower in HFD groups (p < 0.01) and was significantly increased in groups supplemented $\beta$-carotene (p < 0.05). It is suggested that $\beta$-carotene supplementation partly decreases the serum lipid and lipid peroxide levels and increases the activities of antioxidant enzymes in hyperlipidemic rats.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.240-245
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• 2009

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was applied to determine the carotenoid composition of carrots during storage and cooking. Analyses were conducted immediately after harvest and 1, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after harvest. During the course of the storage, the carotenoid levels generally decreased, and this decrease was found to be greater during the first week for $\beta$-carotene (all-trans-$\beta$-carotene) and lutein, and during the second week for $\alpha$-carotene. Additionally, the amount of the $\alpha-$ and $\beta$-carotenes in carrot leaves changed slightly within the first 2 weeks of harvest when stored at $4^{\circ}C$. Specifically, the level of lutein, the main component of carrot leaves, increased from 233.8$\pm$11.7 to $346.2\pm26.7{\mu}g$/g DW during the first 2 weeks. In addition, the change in carotenoid contents was observed during the home-processing of one Korean cultivar. Carrots fried in oil showed the highest amount of $\beta$-carotene ($164.3\pm6.6{\mu}g$/g DW) and $\alpha$-carotene ($50.1\pm0.4{\mu}g$/g DW), while carrots that were prepared by sauteing, pressure-cooking in water and microwaving had the second highest levels. The greatest loss of in carotenoids occurred in response to boiling in water containing 1% NaCl, braising and baking. The content of lutein increased slightly after boiling in water containing 1% NaCl ($9.3\pm0.4{\mu}g$/g DW), while a loss in lutein occurred after preparation using other home-processing methods. A cis-isomer of all-trans-$\beta$-carotene, 13-cis-$\beta$-carotene, was present in detectable amounts in all processed samples, but not in raw roots. Another isomer, 9-cis-$\beta$-carotene, was detected in carrots that were prepared by boiling, frying and pressure-cooking.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.375-379
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• 1995

Contents of ${\beta}-carotene$ and vitamin C in the vegetable(Angelica keiskei) juice were measured as a function of storing temperature$(-18^{\circ}C{\sim}35^{\circ}C)$ and period$(6{\sim}72\;hours)$. Content of ${\beta}-carotene$ was highest in the fresh juice and the degree of destruction of the ${\beta}-carotene$ was significantly increased as the storage temperature increased. Vitamin C in the juice stored at $4^{\circ}C$ decreased less than that of ${\beta}-carotene$. There was no significant difference in fatty acid compositions among in the fresh, freeze-dried juice and juice stored for 72 hours. Antioxidative activities of components extracted from the juice(fresh and stored for 24 hours) followed by incubating for 1 day were higher than that of ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ and then significantly decreased as incubation prolonged.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1911-1918
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• 2013

This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the association between intake of carotenoids and risk of esophageal cancer. A systematic search using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, CNKI, and CBM (updated to 6 May 2012) identified ten articles meeting the inclusion criteria with 1,958 cases of esophageal cancer and 4,529 controls. Higher intake of beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin reduced esophageal cancer risk with pooled ORs of 0.58 (95% CI 0.44, 0.77), 0.81 (95% CI 0.70, 0.94), 0.75 (95% CI 0.64, 0.86), 0.80 (95% CI 0.66, 0.97), and 0.71 (95% CI 0.59, 0.87), respectively. In subgroup analyses, beta-carotene showed protective effects against esophageal adenocarcinoma in studies located in Europe and North America. Alpha-carotene, lycopene, and beta-cryptoxanthin showed protection against esophageal squamous cell cancer. This meta-analysis suggested that higher intake of carotenoids (beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin) is associated with lower risk of esophageal cancer. Further research with large-sample studies need to be conducted to better clarify the potentially protective mechanisms of carotenoid associations risk of different types of esophageal cancer.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1135-1141
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• 2009

Carrots (Daucus carota L.) are consumed as an important dietary source of provitamin A including $\beta$-carotene, $\alpha$-carotene and lutein. An HPLC method was applied to determine the content of the carotenoid composition in carrot cutivars cultivated in Korea. HPLC analyses were carried out with five carrot cultivars (Socheon-5-chon, Hongsim-5-chon, Myeongju-5-chon, Seonhongbom-5-chon and Betarich) sown at April, 2007 and six cultivars (Yeoreum-5-chon, Hanyeoreum-5-chon, Sinheukjeon-5-chon, Bibariheukjeon, Manina and Betarich) sown at August of the same year. In general, the former varieties are not used for the sowing at summer because of their bolting (growth of floral axis). The former and the latter carrots were harvested after 110 and 96 days from seeding, respectively, and the carotenoids were extracted with acetone after freeze-drying. The amount of $\alpha$-carotene ($117.7{\sim}205.3\;{\mu}g/g{\cdot}DW$) was similar to that of $\beta$-carotene ($113.1{\sim}189.6\;{\mu}g/g{\cdot}DW$) for the carrot cultivars sown at spring, while the content ($46.2{\sim}71.1\;{\mu}g/g{\cdot}DW$) was about a half of $\beta$-carotene content ($92.5{\sim}140.2\;{\mu}g/g{\cdot}DW$) for the latter cultivars. In addition, the average content of lutein ($25.2\;{\mu}g/g{\cdot}DW$) in the former cultivars was eight times higher than that in the latter cultivars ($3.1\;{\mu}g/g{\cdot}DW$). Among the spring cultivation types, Socheon-5-chon and Myeongju-5-chon showed higher amount of $\alpha$-carotene and $\beta$-carotene, while the higher amount was determined in Yeoreum-5-chon and Sinheukjeon-5-chon among the autumn cultivation types. Validation of the HPLC-DAD method showed good linearity ($r^2$ > 0.997) of the three compounds analyzed in a wide concentration range ($0.025{\sim}20\;{\mu}g/ml$). The R.S.D. values for intra-day and inter-day precision were less than 19.2% and the mean recovery of each compound was 85.4~104.7%.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.114-120
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A pivotal role of oxidative stress has been emphasized in the pathogenesis as well as in the disease progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed at investigating serum levels of antioxidant vitamins and elucidating whether they could be associated with the pathogenesis and progression of PD. MATERIALS/METHODS: Serum levels of retinol, ${\alpha}$- and ${\gamma}$-tocopherols, ${\alpha}$- and ${\beta}$-carotenes, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin and ${\beta}$-cryptoxanthin were measured and compared between 104 patients with idiopathic PD and 52 healthy controls matched for age and gender. In order to examine the relationship between antioxidant vitamins and the disease progression, multiple group comparisons were performed among the early PD (Hoehn and Yahr stage I and II, N = 47), advanced PD (stage III and IV, N = 57) and control groups. Separate correlation analyses were performed between the measured antioxidant vitamins and clinical variables, such as Hoehn and Yahr stage and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor score. RESULTS: Compared to controls, PD patients had lower levels of ${\alpha}$- and ${\beta}$-carotenes and lycopene. ${\alpha}$-carotene, ${\beta}$-carotene and lycopene levels were significantly reduced in advanced PD patients relative to early PD patients and were negatively correlated with Hoehn and Yahr stage and UPDRS motor score in PD patients. No significant differences were found in serum levels of retinol, ${\alpha}$- and ${\gamma}$-tocopherols, and other carotenoids between PD patients and controls. No significant correlations were found between these vitamin levels and clinical variables in PD patients. CONCLUSTIONS: We found that serum levels of some carotenoids, ${\alpha}$-carotene, ${\beta}$-carotene and lycopene, were lower in PD patients, and that these carotenoids inversely correlated with clinical variables representing disease progression. Our findings suggest that decreases in serum ${\alpha}$-carotene, ${\beta}$-carotene and lycopene may be associated with the pathogenesis as well as progression of PD.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.443-452
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• 2010

Elevated plasma concentration of total homocysteine (ptHcy) is known as an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and oxidative stress is also commonly implicated in CVD. An association between ptHcy and oxidative stress has recently been suggested. The study objective is to examine the relationship between ptHcy and oxidative stress markers in 103 healthy college students (62 males and 41 females). Plasma levels of ptHcy, oxidative stress markers (conjugated diene, erythrocyte catalase, TRAP, lymphocyte DNA damage), antioxidant vitamins ($\alpha$-tocopherol, $\gamma$-tocopherol, carotenoids), and lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol) were determined. The results show that the concentration of ptHcy was significantly higher in male subjects ($22.17\;{\pm}\;2.14\;{\mu}mole/L$) than in female subjects ($12.28\;{\pm}\;0.45\;{\mu}mole/L$). There was a negative association between ptHcy and plasma ${\beta}$-carotene in male subjects (p $lt; 0.05), but no correlation between ptHcy and other plasma antioxidant vitamin levels in either gender. However, there were the negative correlations between ptHcy and plasma ${\alpha}$-carotene or ${\beta}$-carotene, and a positive correlation between ptHcy and lymphocyte DNA damage. A significantly low level of ${\alpha}$-carotene or ${\beta}$-carotene was found in male subjects with elevated ptHcy (${\geq}\;15\;{\mu}mol/L$), as compared to those with lower plasma homocysteine. These study results confirmed the views on the association between plasma homocysteine and oxidative stress markers in humans and support the hypothesis that homocysteine promotes the oxidative environment by counteracting the antioxidant defense mechanism.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.952-959
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• 1997

Korean intakes of Vitamin A have not reached RDA for a long time according to the National Nutrition Survey. The pupose of this study was to examine the serum response to short-term carotenoids-rich vegetable juices supplementation. A total of 31 female students were recruited for this study. Their average serum retinol content before supplementation began was 14.74$\mu\textrm{g}$/100ml, and 87% of them had lower than adequate levels. Serum $\beta$-carotene, $\alpha$-carotene, lycopene and lutein contents were 0.77, -, 0.74 and 8.29$\mu\textrm{g}$/100$m\ell$ respectively. The serum responses to 3 kinds of juice supplementation for 3 weeks are summarized as follows. A small but steady increase in serum retinol concentration was detected with the supplementation (p<.05), but the kinds of juice made no significant difference. Serum $\beta$-carotene contents also increased with the supplementation(p<.01), but the kinds of juice again made no significant difference. Serum lycopene increased with the lycopene-containing vegetable juice and tomato juice supplementation, but the increase wasn't significant. There was no change in serum lycopene levels with the lycopene free carrot juice supplementation. Finally, there were no signifnicant changes in serum lutein and $\alpha$-carotene levels with the 3 kinds of juice supplementation.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.950-957
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• 1995

The carotenoids of 14 Korean Citrus were analyzed by HPLC and spectrophotometry. Selected Citrus varieties were Satsuma mandarins, Orange, Ponkan, Marumeru and Iyeagam. The amount of carotenoid in peel and juice of Citrus is $0.82{\sim}10.64\;mg%$ and $0.23{\sim}3.38\;mg%$, respectively. Among the 14 peaks obtained from each samples, ${\alpha}-carotene$, ${\beta}-carotene$, Iycopene and lutein were identified by the direct comparison with authentics. Eigth peaks were assumed to neoxanthin, violaxanthin, antheraxanthin, lutein-5,6-epoxide, isolutein, cryptox-diepoxide, cryptox-5,6-epoxide and ${\beta}-cryptoxanthin$ through reference $t_R$ and two peaks remained unknown.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3025-3029
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between antioxidant vitamin levels and malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). For this purpose, we measured the serum levels of 4 antioxidant vitamins, ${\beta}$-carotene, ${\alpha}$-tocopherol, retinol, and ascorbic acid, in patients with environmentally induced MPM and in healthy controls from one tremolite village (Kureysler), the biggest erionite village (Tuzkoy) and Ankara. A total of 160 subjects were enrolled in the study, 42 (26.3%) diagnosed with MPM and 118 (73.7%) healthy subjects. A comparison was made between the MPM group and three control groups of which two were exposed and one was unexposed to mineral fibers. The study population consisted of 82 males (51%) and 78 females (49%) with a mean of age of $44.8{\pm}14$ years (range; 20-65 years). Lowest levels of ${\beta}$-carotene, ascorbic acid, and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol were found in MPM patients (MPM vs control groups combined, p<0.0001 for each antioxidant vitamin), without any relation to age or sex. There was no significant difference between the antioxidant levels of healthy controls of Tuzkoy and Ankara. In conclusion; our findings suggested an increased risk of MPM being associated with low levels of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol and ascorbic acid in patients with MPM.