Association between Serum Carotenoids and Bone Health in Puerto Rican Adults: The Boston Puerto Rican Osteoporosis Study (BPROS)

Objectives There is evidence to suggest that higher serum concentration of carotenoids is protective of osteoporosis, although studies have shown inconsistent findings. The majority of studies on serum carotenoids and bone have been conducted in predominantly non-Hispanic white populations. This study examined the relationship between serum total carotenoids and bone mineral density (BMD) and odds of osteoporosis among Puerto Rican older adults. Methods Data are from the Boston Puerto Rican Osteoporosis Study, a prospective cohort of Puerto Rican adults aged 47 to 79 y (n = 907). Serum total carotene (ug/dL) concentration was measured by fasting blood sample at baseline and 2-year follow-up. A cumulative average of the two measures was calculated. BMD (g/cm2) at the hip and lumbar spine sites were measured using dual x-ray absorptiometry. Multivariable analysis of covariance models tested associations between serum total carotenoids and BMD outcomes and multivariable logistic regression models examined associations with odds of osteoporosis. Models were adjusted for age, height, estrogenic (male, non-menopausal or taking hormone replacements, no estrogen) status, BMI, alcohol use, smoking status, calcium intake, and serum vitamin D and triglycerides. Results Participants were primarily female (72.1%), mean age: 59 years ± 7.4 and mean serum carotenoids: 93 ug/dL ± 34.2. Serum total carotenoids were not associated with BMD at the trochanter (β = 0.16 ± 0.13), femoral neck (β = 0.09 ± 0.13), total hip (β = −0.46 ± 0.18), or lumbar spine (β = 0.11 ± 0.14) (P = 0.16–0.50). Further, there was no association between serum carotenoids and odds of osteoporosis after adjusting for potential confounding (OR = 1.00, 95%CI: 0.99, 1.01). Conclusions These findings suggest that dietary factors other than total carotenoids may be more important for bone health among Puerto Rican adults. Further research is needed to confirm these results. Investigation of individual dietary carotenoids may provide additional insight into the associations with bone in this population. Funding Sources NIH (P01 AG023394, P50 HL105185, R01 AG027087). SEN is supported by K01 AR067894.

Serum carotenoids and Pediatric Metabolic Index predict insulin sensitivity in Mexican American children

High concentrations of carotenoids are protective against cardiometabolic risk traits (CMTs) in adults and children. We recently showed in non-diabetic Mexican American (MA) children that serum α-carotene and β-carotene are inversely correlated with obesity measures and triglycerides and positively with HDL cholesterol and that they were under strong genetic influences. Additionally, we previously described a Pediatric Metabolic Index (PMI) that helps in the identification of children who are at risk for cardiometabolic diseases. Here, we quantified serum lycopene and β-cryptoxanthin concentrations in approximately 580 children from MA families using an ultraperformance liquid chromatography-photodiode array and determined their heritabilities and correlations with CMTs. Using response surface methodology (RSM), we determined two-way interactions of carotenoids and PMI on Matsuda insulin sensitivity index (ISI). The concentrations of lycopene and β-cryptoxanthin were highly heritable [h2 = 0.98, P = 7 × 10–18 and h2 = 0.58, P = 1 × 10–7]. We found significant (P ≤ 0.05) negative phenotypic correlations between β-cryptoxanthin and five CMTs: body mass index (− 0.22), waist circumference (− 0.25), triglycerides (− 0.18), fat mass (− 0.23), fasting glucose (− 0.09), and positive correlations with HDL cholesterol (0.29). In contrast, lycopene only showed a significant negative correlation with fasting glucose (− 0.08) and a positive correlation with HDL cholesterol (0.18). Importantly, we found that common genetic influences significantly contributed to the observed phenotypic correlations. RSM showed that increased serum concentrations of α- and β-carotenoids rather than that of β-cryptoxanthin or lycopene had maximal effects on ISI. In summary, our findings suggest that the serum carotenoids are under strong additive genetic influences and may have differential effects on susceptibility to CMTs in children.

Influence of natural pigment sources on growth performance, live and post slaughter skin pigmentation, serum carotenoids and lipid profile of broiler chickens

Carotenoids are bioactive molecules synthesized in plants and are important in thedevelopment of hues in the skin and muscles of chickens, which influence consumerperception and consumption. The extent of absorption and assimilation of carotenoids from different plant-based pigment sources was explored in this study. One hundred and twentyeight day old broiler chicks were allotted to four treatments, four replicates of eight chicks each. Chicks were fed a starter diet for 21 days and thereafter grower-finisher diets containing one of moringa (Moringa oleifera), baobab (Adansonia digitata) leaves, roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) calyces and orange (Citrus x sinensis) rind- at 4% of their diet for 35 days. Skin pigmentation was scored in the apterylum region and shank of live broiler chicken weekly and in the breast, back, vent, shank and abdominal fat of 56 day old broiler chicken post-slaughter using a DSM broiler colour fan. Serum carotenoids measured as red and yellow pigments and serum lipid profile were determined by a spectrophotometric method. Pigmentation was higher in the shank, with visual score ranging from 101.0 – 103.78 and least in the skin of the back ranging from 101.0 – 102.0 (P<0.05), while pigmentation in the vent and breast were similar for chickens on the different dietary treatments. Higher live and post-slaughter skin pigmentation was observed in chickens on moringa diet with visual score ranging from 103.1. – 103.75 and 102.0 – 103.78 respectively, and lower pigmentation in those on roselle diet, ranging from 101.13 – 101.32 and 101.0 – 101.34 respectively. Shank pigmentation score peaked at 21d for chickens on baobab (102.32) and roselle (101.32) diets, and 35d for chickens on themoringa and orange rind (103.75 and 102.06, respectively) diets. Apterylum pigmentation peaked at 21d for chickens on baobab (101.54) and orange (101.40) diets and 28d for chickens on the moringa (102.40) diet. Dietary sources of carotenoids did not significantly influence yellow pigment deposition in the serum between 21-28d of exposure while red pigment deposition in the serum was unaffected by the dietary treatments after 28d of exposure. Yellow pigment composition of serum was significantly (P<0.05) lowest in chickens on moringa diet at 14 and 21d (19.84 and 18.54 ppm). A similar trend was observed for red pigment composition of serum of chickens on moringa diet at 28 and 35d (19.60 and 18.36 ppm). However the serum lipid profile of chickens in the study was not affected by the different pigment sources in their diets. Absorption and assimilation of carotenoids varied for the different carotenoid sources assessed, with Moringa oleifera leaves significantly improving live and post-slaughter pigmentation of broilers.

The Impact of Formulation on Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and meso-Zeaxanthin Bioavailability: A Randomised Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

Lutein (L), zeaxanthin (Z), and meso-zeaxanthin (MZ) have been the focus of research and commercial interest for their applications in human health. Research into formulations to enhance their bioavailability is merited. This 6 month randomised placebo-controlled trial involving 81 healthy volunteers compared the bioavailability of different formulations of free L, Z, and MZ in sunflower or omega-3 oil versus L, Z, and MZ diacetates (Ld, Zd, and MZd) in a micromicellar formulation. Fasting serum carotenoids, macular pigment, and skin carotenoid score were analysed at baseline and 6 months. Serum L, Z, and MZ concentrations increased in all active interventions compared to placebo (p < 0.001 to p = 0.008). The diacetate micromicelle formulation exhibited a significantly higher mean response in serum concentrations of Z and MZ compared to the other active interventions (p = 0.002 to 0.019). A micromicellar formulation with solubilised Z and MZ diacetates is a promising technology advancement that enhances the bioavailability of these carotenoids when compared to traditional carotenoid formulations (ISRCTN clinical trial registration number: ISRCTN18206561).

Increased Concentrations of Serum β-carotene, α-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin Are Associated with Lower Visceral Adipose Tissue in U.S. Adults

Objectives There is a positive relationship between visceral adiposity and cardiometabolic diseases (CMD). Recent data report lower serum carotenoids in individuals with obesity. Longitudinal studies show an inverse relationship between CMD and serum carotenoids β-carotene (BC), α-carotene (AC), β-cryptoxanthin (BCX); however, the relationship between serum carotenoids and visceral adiposity in population samples has not been assessed. Our primary objective was to determine the association between adiposity and serum carotenoid concentrations in United States (U.S.) adults. Methods Data were obtained from 3904 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003–2006) using multistage probability sampling. The relationship between android fat percentage (AF%), measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and serum carotenoid concentrations for male and non-pregnant female participants aged 20–85 years in the U.S. was assessed. Associations were estimated using Pearson correlation coefficients and partial correlations adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and reported carotenoid intake. Multivariable linear regression modeled serum carotenoid concentrations (log transformed) on body fat percentage adjusted for reported dietary carotenoid and total calorie intake, age, sex, and race/ethnicity. Results Mean ± SE for BC, AC, BCX, and AF% were 12.30 ± 0.05, 2.54 ± 0.07, 6.80 ± 0.04 μg/dL, and 36.87 ± 0.22%, respectively. AF% concentrations were inversely associated with BC (r = −0.08, P &lt; 0.0001), AC (r = −0.05, P &lt; 0.0001), and BCX (r = −0.13, P &lt; 0.0001). Significant (P &lt; 0.0001) partial correlations were seen among serum levels of all carotenoids and AF%. The strongest was observed with BC where r = −0.23, followed by AC (r = −0.16), and BCX (r = −0.14). For adults of the same age, race/ethnicity, and sex, each 1 ug/dL increase in BC or AC concentration decreased AF% by 0.02% (P &lt; 0.0001). BCX showed significant, but weak associations with AF%. Conclusions In a representative sample of U.S. adults, serum BC, AC, and BCX concentrations were inversely associated with AF%, independent of reported dietary intake. BC showed the strongest inverse associations followed by AC, then BCX. Funding Sources N/A.

Efficacy of Commercially Available Nutritional Supplements: Analysis of Serum Uptake, Macular Pigment Optical Density and Visual Functional Response

Purpose: To compare the change in serum carotenoids, macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and visual function with the intake of two commercially available nutritional supplements. Methods: Participants were given a 24-week supply of a lipid-based micronized liquid medical food, Lumega-Z™ (LM), containing 28 mg of the macular carotenoids lutein (L), zeaxanthin (Z) and meso-zeaxanthin (MZ), or given PreserVision™ AREDS 2 Formula (gel-caps; PV) containing 12 mg of the macular carotenoids L and Z, but no reported MZ. Serum levels of L, Z and MZ were obtained at baseline and after 12 weeks. Macular pigment optical densities (MPOD) and visual function were assessed at baseline and after 24 weeks. Results: Average blood serum concentrations of L, Z and MZ in the two groups at baseline were similar. The increases in L, Z and MZ were 0.434, 0.063 and 0.086 µmol/L vs. 0.100, 0.043 and 0.001 µmol/L, respectively, in the LM vs. PV group. From baseline to week 24, average MPOD in the LM-group increased by 0.064 from 0.418 to 0.482, whereas in the PV-group, it was essentially unchanged (0.461 to 0.459;). Although log-contrast sensitivity was improved in all groups under three conditions (photopic, mesopic and mesopic with glare), the change in log-contrast sensitivity was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Despite only a 2.3-fold higher carotenoid concentration than PV, LM supplementation provides approximately 3–4-fold higher absorption, which leads to a significant elevation of MPOD levels.