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Serum carotenoids, retinol, and retinyl esters in Midwestern premenopausal women
Author(s) -
Mondloch Stephanie J,
Binkley Neil,
Arscott Sara,
Tanumihardjo Sherry
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.30.1_supplement.913.6
Subject(s) - carotenoid , retinol , vitamin , lycopene , provitamin , lutein , chemistry , medicine , endocrinology , food science , biochemistry
Background Vitamin A status assessment is not straightforward. Serum carotenoids are reflective of dietary intake of fruits and vegetables and thus, may be helpful in identifying populations with sufficient provitamin A carotenoid intake. These measurements may help support other biomarkers of vitamin A status. Objectives This study measured serum carotenoids, retinol, and retinyl esters in 37–50‐year‐old women (n=118) screened for a recent clinical trial. Methods Serum carotenoids, retinol, and retinyl esters were determined with ultra‐performance LC. Dietary intakes were determined by Harvard Food Frequency Questionnaire (n=118). Total and regional body fat percentages were determined by DXA (n=63). C‐reactive protein (EIA kit, Cayman Chemical Co., Ann Arbor, MI) was used as a measure of inflammation Results Mean total serum carotenoids (α‐ and β‐carotene, β‐cryptoxanthin, lutein, and lycopene) were 2.02 ± 0.76 μmol/L. When lycopene was not included, this value dropped to 1.42 ± 0.70 μmol/L. Provitamin A carotenoids were 1.03 ± 0.62 μmol/L. Serum retinol concentration was 1.55 ± 0.33 μmol/L, and five women had values ≤1.0 μmol/L. Retinyl esters were detected in 36% of subjects (n=43), with an average of 0.05 μmol retinyl esters/L. Retinyl ester percentage of total retinol ranged from 0–29%. Conclusions Serum retinol concentration was low in 4.2% of the women. Vitamin A assessment may be enhanced by concurrently determining provitamin A carotenoid profiles and retinyl ester concentrations. Support or Funding Information Support: Funded by Standard Process, Inc., an endowment entitled “Friday Chair for Vegetable Processing Research”, and Global Health funds.