The effect of a water-dispersible beta-carotene formulation on the prevention of age-related lymphoid neoplasms in mice.

There is currently a great interest in the efficiency of micronutrients against age-associated disorders. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of beta-carotene on the incidence of lymphoid neoplasia, a fatal pathology associated with OFI mouse ageing. Beta-carotene, given as a water-dispersible preparation to 8-month-old mice, on a four month follow-up study, significantly reduced the incidence of neoplasm (12.

Comparative distribution of beta-carotene and lycopene after intraperitoneal administration in mice.

To determine the kinetics of accumulation of beta-carotene and lycopene, and their main storage sites, they were separately administered in OFI mice at a single dose of 10 mg/kg body weight or in combination. Animals were sacrificed at given time intervals after intraperitoneal administration and carotenoids were dosed in serum, liver, spleen, kidneys and lungs. A single injection of beta-carotene led to a serum peak at t = 2 h and high levels were detected in the liver after 0.

In vitro comparative study of cytolysis mediated by natural killer cells towards malignant cells preincubated with antioxidants.

We have previously reported that antioxidants such as beta-carotene, were able to enhance cytolytic activity of NK cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether preincubating YAC-1 tumor cells in culture with different antioxidants, affected their NK cell-mediated cytolysis. The antioxidants studied were enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase), hydroxyl radical scavengers (thiourea, mannitol, dimethyl sulfoxide) and a singlet oxygen quencher: beta-carotene.

Modulation of natural killer cell functional activity in athymic mice by beta-carotene, oestrone and their association.

In athymic mice, Natural Killer (NK) cells influence the take rate and growth of human malignant tissue xenografts. To confirm preliminary results, comparative experiments were conducted to study the effects of beta-carotene, oestrone and their association on the cytolysis mediated by spleen NK cells from athymic mice receiving these different treatments. Target cells consisted of YAC-1 malignant cells.