抄録
Interrelationship of serum concentrations between carotenoids and lipid peroxides (LPO) was investigated in 36 healthy adults (19 males and 17 females, aged 33-72 years). Serum concentration of α-carotene or β-carotene measured in June was significantly correlated with that in December 1987 [α-carotene: r=0.830, p<0.001; β-carotene: r=0.953, p<0.001]. Biannual serum concentration of lycopene or LPO was also significantly correlated, but the correlation coefficients were relatively smaller [lycopene: r=0.418, p<0.05; LPO: r=0.472, p<0.01]. Serum β-carotene level was inversely correlated with serum level of retinol binding protein (RBP) [r=-0.381, p<0.05]. Negative correlation was also observed between serum LPO level and serum β-carotene [r=-0.347, p<0.05] or α-carotene [r=-0.437, p<0.01]. Serum LPO was positively correlated with serum RBP [r=0.462, p<0.01]. These finding may suggest that serum α-and β-carotene, but not retinol, might reduce lipid peroxidation. Such a mechanism could possibly be involved in the well-known negative association between dietary β-carotene and cancer risk.
