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TheScientificWorldJournal 2016Vitamin A is essential for life in all vertebrate animals. Vitamin A requirement can be met from dietary preformed vitamin A or provitamin A carotenoids, the most... (Review)
Review
Vitamin A is essential for life in all vertebrate animals. Vitamin A requirement can be met from dietary preformed vitamin A or provitamin A carotenoids, the most important of which is -carotene. The metabolism of -carotene, including its intestinal absorption, accumulation in tissues, and conversion to vitamin A, varies widely across animal species and determines the role that -carotene plays in meeting vitamin A requirement. This review begins with a brief discussion of vitamin A, with an emphasis on species differences in metabolism. A more detailed discussion of -carotene follows, with a focus on factors impacting bioavailability and its conversion to vitamin A. Finally, the literature on how animals utilize -carotene is reviewed individually for several species and classes of animals. We conclude that -carotene conversion to vitamin A is variable and dependent on a number of factors, which are important to consider in the formulation and assessment of diets. Omnivores and herbivores are more efficient at converting -carotene to vitamin A than carnivores. Absorption and accumulation of -carotene in tissues vary with species and are poorly understood. More comparative and mechanistic studies are required in this area to improve the understanding of -carotene metabolism.
Topics: Animals; Diet; Intestinal Absorption; Vitamin A; beta Carotene
PubMed: 27833936
DOI: 10.1155/2016/7393620 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023The thyroid hormones play a pivotal role in various physiological processes, including growth, metabolism regulation, and reproduction. While non-modifiable factors are... (Review)
Review
The thyroid hormones play a pivotal role in various physiological processes, including growth, metabolism regulation, and reproduction. While non-modifiable factors are known to impact thyroid function, such as genetics and age, nutritional factors are also important. Diets rich in selenium and iodine are conventionally acknowledged to be beneficial for the production and release of thyroid hormones. Recent studies have suggested a potential link between beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A (retinol), and thyroid function. Beta-carotene is known for its antioxidant properties and has been shown to play a role in the prevention of various clinical conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular and neurological diseases. However, its impact on thyroid function is still unclear. Some studies have suggested a positive association between beta-carotene levels and thyroid function, while others have found no significant effect. Conversely, the hormone produced by the thyroid gland, thyroxine, enhances the conversion of beta-carotene to retinol. Furthermore, vitamin A derivatives are being explored as potential therapeutic options for thyroid malignancies. In this review, we highlight the mechanisms through which beta-carotene/retinol and thyroid hormones interact and review the findings of clinical studies examining the association between beta-carotene consumption and thyroid hormone levels. Our review underscores the need for further research to clarify the relationship between beta-carotene and thyroid function.
Topics: Thyroid Gland; beta Carotene; Vitamin A; Thyroid Hormones; Physiological Phenomena
PubMed: 37305054
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1089315 -
Toxins Mar 2022Bloom-forming cyanobacteria produce and release odorous compounds and pose threats to the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystem and to the drinking water supply. In this...
Bloom-forming cyanobacteria produce and release odorous compounds and pose threats to the biodiversity of aquatic ecosystem and to the drinking water supply. In this study, the concentrations of β-cyclocitral in different bacterial growth phases were investigated using GC-MS to determine the growth stage of at high risk for β-cyclocitral production. Moreover, the synchronicity of the production of β-cyclocitral and its precursor β-carotene at both population and single-cell levels was assessed. The results indicated that β-cyclocitral was the main odorous compound produced by cells. The intracellular concentration of β-cyclocitral () as well as its cellular quota () increased synchronously in the log phase, along with the increase of cell density. However, they reached the maximum values of 415 μg/L and 10.7 fg/cell in the late stationary phase and early stationary phase, respectively. The early stage of the stationary phase is more important for β-cyclocitral monitoring, and the sharp increase in is valuable for anticipating the subsequent increase in . The molar concentrations of β-cyclocitral and β-carotene showed a linear relationship, with an R value of 0.92, suggesting that the production of β-cyclocitral was linearly dependent on that of β-carotene, especially during the log phase. However, the increase in was slower than that in β-carotene during the stationary phase, suggesting that β-cyclocitral production turned to be carotene oxygenase-limited when the growth rate decreased. These results demonstrate that variations of β-cyclocitral production on a single-cell level during different bacterial growth phases should be given serious consideration when monitoring and controlling the production of odorous compounds by blooms.
Topics: Aldehydes; Diterpenes; Ecosystem; Microcystis; beta Carotene
PubMed: 35324698
DOI: 10.3390/toxins14030201 -
Acta Dermatovenerologica Alpina,... Dec 2008UV irradiation of the skin leads to the induction of free radicals, carcinogenesis, and skin aging, and thus the use of beta-carotene in humans as a chaperoning agent is... (Review)
Review
UV irradiation of the skin leads to the induction of free radicals, carcinogenesis, and skin aging, and thus the use of beta-carotene in humans as a chaperoning agent is discussed. In the photohemolysis model, beta-carotene protects against the phototoxic effects of porphyrins. Beta-carotene should be used in erythropoietic protoporphyria, photosensitive diseases, and to reduce the effects of phototoxic drugs. Its effects on aging skin and on actinic keratosis have not yet been sufficiently studied.
Topics: Dysplastic Nevus Syndrome; Erythema; Food; Food Analysis; Humans; Ultraviolet Rays; Vitamins; beta Carotene
PubMed: 19104740
DOI: No ID Found -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2023Naringenin, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) activator found in citrus fruits, upregulates markers of thermogenesis and insulin sensitivity in human...
INTRODUCTION
Naringenin, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) activator found in citrus fruits, upregulates markers of thermogenesis and insulin sensitivity in human adipose tissue. Our pharmacokinetics clinical trial demonstrated that naringenin is safe and bioavailable, and our case report showed that naringenin causes weight loss and improves insulin sensitivity. PPARs form heterodimers with retinoic-X-receptors (RXRs) at promoter elements of target genes. Retinoic acid is an RXR ligand metabolized from dietary carotenoids. The carotenoid β-carotene reduces adiposity and insulin resistance in clinical trials. Our goal was to examine if carotenoids strengthen the beneficial effects of naringenin on human adipocyte metabolism.
METHODS
Human preadipocytes from donors with obesity were differentiated in culture and treated with 8µM naringenin + 2µM β-carotene (NRBC) for seven days. Candidate genes involved in thermogenesis and glucose metabolism were measured as well as hormone-stimulated lipolysis.
RESULTS
We found that β-carotene acts synergistically with naringenin to boost UCP1 and glucose metabolism genes including GLUT4 and adiponectin, compared to naringenin alone. Protein levels of PPARα, PPARγ and PPARγ-coactivator-1α, key modulators of thermogenesis and insulin sensitivity, were also upregulated after treatment with NRBC. Transcriptome sequencing was conducted and the bioinformatics analyses of the data revealed that NRBC induced enzymes for several non-UCP1 pathways for energy expenditure including triglyceride cycling, creatine kinases, and Peptidase M20 Domain Containing 1 (PM20D1). A comprehensive analysis of changes in receptor expression showed that NRBC upregulated eight receptors that have been linked to lipolysis or thermogenesis including the β1-adrenergic receptor and the parathyroid hormone receptor. NRBC increased levels of triglyceride lipases and agonist-stimulated lipolysis in adipocytes. We observed that expression of RXRγ, an isoform of unknown function, was induced ten-fold after treatment with NRBC. We show that RXRγ is a coactivator bound to the immunoprecipitated PPARγ protein complex from white and beige human adipocytes.
DISCUSSION
There is a need for obesity treatments that can be administered long-term without side effects. NRBC increases the abundance and lipolytic response of multiple receptors for hormones released after exercise and cold exposure. Lipolysis provides the fuel for thermogenesis, and these observations suggest that NRBC has therapeutic potential.
Topics: Humans; Adipocytes, White; beta Carotene; Insulin Resistance; Lipolysis; PPAR gamma; Obesity; Phenotype; Hormones; Triglycerides; Glucose
PubMed: 37143734
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1148954 -
Animal : An International Journal of... Aug 2021Culling rate in dairy cattle has increased considerably, thereby reducing cowś longevity and raising sustainability concerns worldwide. In the last decades, feeding...
Culling rate in dairy cattle has increased considerably, thereby reducing cowś longevity and raising sustainability concerns worldwide. In the last decades, feeding systems have changed towards larger inclusion of preserved forages and reduced fresh herbage, which may limit vitamin E and beta-carotene dietary supply to dairy cows. Because of higher oxidative stress, engendered by greater milk production of modern genetics, the requirement for these nutrients is increased. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the current status of vitamin E and beta-carotene of commercial dairy cows. Blood vitamin E and beta-carotene concentrations were measured in 2 467 dairy cows from 127 farms in Belgium, Germany, Iberia and The Netherlands, that were visited once. Five cows were randomly selected per lactation stage per farm: Dry (between 30 and 1 day(s) before calving), Very-early (from calving until 15 days in milk (DIM)), Early (between 16 and 119 DIM), and Mid-late (from 120 DIM onwards). In addition, a survey was conducted to retrieve data on vitamin E and beta-carotene supplementation and feeding practices. Vitamin E and beta-carotene blood concentrations dropped considerably around calving. Among all surveyed cows, more than 75 and 44% were deficient in vitamin E and beta-carotene (i.e., blood concentration below 3.0 and 3.5 mg/l, respectively). Of the Very-early group, more than 97 and 78% of the cows were deficient in vitamin E and beta-carotene, respectively, with respective blood concentrations of 1.15 and 2.71 mg/l, which was significantly lower than the other lactation stages. Vitamin E and beta-carotene blood concentrations, as well as their supplementation levels, significantly varied among countries. Vitamin E and beta-carotene blood concentrations were positively related to the total estimated daily intakes of vitamin E and beta-carotene. Therefore, blood concentrations of vitamin E and beta-carotene depend on their respective level of intake, which is generally below recommendations and varies greatly between countries. Supplementation could contribute to provide cows with adequate amounts of vitamin E and beta-carotene all along the lactation, to ensure their lifetime performance and improve their fertility.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Dietary Supplements; Female; Lactation; Milk; Vitamin E; beta Carotene
PubMed: 34252721
DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100303 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2021As the precursor of vitamin A, β-carotene has a positive effect on reproductive performance. Our previous study has shown that β-carotene can increase antioxidant...
As the precursor of vitamin A, β-carotene has a positive effect on reproductive performance. Our previous study has shown that β-carotene can increase antioxidant enzyme activity potentially through regulating gut microbiota in pregnant sows. This study aimed to clarify the effect of β-carotene on reproductive performance and postpartum uterine recovery from the aspect of inflammation and gut microbiota by using a mouse model. Twenty-seven 6 weeks old female Kunming mice were randomly assigned into 3 groups (n=9), and fed with a diet containing 0, 30 or 90 mg/kg β-carotene, respectively. The results showed that dietary supplementation of β-carotene reduced postpartum uterine hyperemia and uterine mass index (<0.05), improved intestinal villus height and villus height to crypt depth ratio, decreased serum TNF-α and IL-4 concentration (<0.05), while no differences were observed in litter size and litter weight among three treatments. Characterization of gut microbiota revealed that β-carotene up-regulated the relative abundance of genera , and , but down-regulated the relative abundance of and . Correlation analysis revealed that was negatively correlated with the IL-4 concentration, while and had a negative linear correlation with both TNF-α and IL-4 concentration. On the other hand, was positively correlated with the TNF-α, and had a positive correlation with both TNF-α and IL-4 concentration. These data demonstrated that dietary supplementation of β-carotene contributes to postpartum uterine recovery by decreasing postpartum uterine hemorrhage and inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines potentially through modulating gut microbiota.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Outbred Strains; Diet; Female; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Inflammation; Mice; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Random Allocation; Uterus; beta Carotene
PubMed: 34899699
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.744425 -
The Journal of Nutrition Aug 2020
Topics: Cholesterol; Daucus carota; Homeostasis; Humans; Lipid Metabolism; Retinoids; beta Carotene
PubMed: 32747944
DOI: 10.1093/jn/nxaa189 -
Journal of Oleo Science 2023Using sunflower oil as the oil matrix, the antioxidant effects and types of interactions of three natural components, α-tocopherol, β-carotene and epigallocatechin...
Using sunflower oil as the oil matrix, the antioxidant effects and types of interactions of three natural components, α-tocopherol, β-carotene and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), were investigated and the kinetic model of oxidation reaction was established. The results showed that the ability of the three antioxidants to scavenge DPPH radicals was ranked as EGCG > β-carotene > α-tocopherol in the concentration range of 0~100 mg/kg. 15 samples were obtained by combining two of three natural components. When the concentration ratios of β-carotene and EGCG were 1:20 and 1:7.5, α-tocopherol and EGCG were 1:13.3, 1:6, and 1:2, and α-tocopherol and β-carotene were 1:0.2 and 1:0.05, the type of interaction was synergistic, while the rest of the samples showed antagonistic effects. The sample with a 1:13.3 concentration of α-tocopherol and EGCG showed the longest induction period, the lowest oxidation rate constant, the highest activation energy, the best oxidative stability, and the longest shelf life at different temperatures. This compounded natural antioxidant was the most favorable for the stability of sunflower oil. This provides some theoretical basis for the development and application of compounded natural antioxidants in vegetable oils.
Topics: Antioxidants; alpha-Tocopherol; beta Carotene; Sunflower Oil; Oxidation-Reduction; Oxidative Stress
PubMed: 37121677
DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess22348 -
Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters Oct 2022Research on aging is growing as the elderly make up a greater share of the population, focusing on reversing and inhibiting the aging process. The exhaustion and...
BACKGROUND
Research on aging is growing as the elderly make up a greater share of the population, focusing on reversing and inhibiting the aging process. The exhaustion and senescence of stem cells are the fundamental drivers behind aging. β-Carotene has been depicted to have many biological functions, and we speculate that it may have an anti-aging effect.
METHODS
Firstly, the anti-aging property of β-carotene was investigated in vitro using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) induced by HO. The anti-aging effect was characterized using Western-bloting, confocal laser scanning microscopy, indirect immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. The anti-aging property was also tested in vivo using aged mice.
RESULTS
The in vitro experiment revealed that β-carotene could relieve the aging of MSCs, as evidenced by a series of aging marker molecules such as p16 and p21. β-Carotene appeared to inhibit aging by regulating the KAT7-P15 signaling axis. The in vivo experiment revealed that β-carotene treatment has significantly down-regulated the aging level of tissues and organs.
CONCLUSIONS
In this work, we explored the anti-aging effect of β-carotene in vivo and in vitro. The experimental results indicate that β-carotene may be an important potential anti-aging molecule, which can be used as a drug or in functional food to treat aging in the future.
Topics: Aging; Animals; Cell Proliferation; Cellular Senescence; Hydrogen Peroxide; Inflammation; Mice; Oxidative Stress; beta Carotene
PubMed: 36209059
DOI: 10.1186/s11658-022-00389-7