The antioxidant effects of dietary carotenoids such as ϐ-carotene have been well documented in various systems in vitro, using either organic solvents or membrane systems. However, the biologically relevant studies of the effects of ϐ-carotene on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation are still controversial, as are those studies using LDL from individuals supplemented with large amounts of ϐ-carotene. These findings do not agree with the epidemiological evidence which suggests that individuals who consume fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids, or who have relatively high serum carotenoid levels, are at a lower risk of developing coronary heart disease. What is apparent is that studies that have looked at antioxidant protection in the whole organism have demonstrated a decrease in markers of lipid peroxidation after ϐ-carotene supplementation. Maybe those studies trying to pin-point the antioxidant site of carotenoids in vivo have been looking at the wrong tissue.
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November 1995
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Conference Article|
November 01 1995
Plant carotenoids and related molecules: important dietary antioxidants
Norman I. Krinsky
Norman I. Krinsky
1Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, and the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111-1837, U.S.A.
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Biochem Soc Symp (1995) 61: 117–126.
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C. Rice-Evans, B. Halliwell, G.G. Lunt, Norman I. Krinsky; Plant carotenoids and related molecules: important dietary antioxidants. Biochem Soc Symp 1 November 1995; 61 117–126. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/bss0610117
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