Serum carotenoids and vitamins in relation to markers of endothelial function and inflammation.

Background: Endothelial cell dysfunction may be related to an increase in cellular oxidative stress. Carotenoids and vitamins could have an antioxidant-mediated tempering influence on endothelial function and inflammation, thereby reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.

Methods: We measured serum carotenoids, alpha-tocopherol and Vitamin C concentrations in 379 subjects sampled from the general population.

Dietary intervention in prostate cancer patients: PSA response in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study.

The objective of this study was to show or to exclude an effect of dietary supplement on rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. We have studied the effect of a dietary supplement (verum, administered for 6 weeks) containing plant estrogens, antioxidants, including carotenoids, selenium and other putative prostate cancer inhibiting substances in a randomized placebo-controlled double-blind crossover study in 37 hormonally untreated men with prostate cancer and increasing PSA levels. Outcome measures were changes in the rates of change of serum concentrations of total and free PSA and changes in male sex hormone levels.

Spread supplemented with moderate doses of vitamin E and carotenoids reduces lipid peroxidation in healthy, nonsmoking adults.

Background: High doses of vitamin E have been shown to decrease lipid peroxidation in persons under oxidative stress. At present, the data are insufficient to predict whether lower doses offer the same benefit in healthy persons.

Objective: We studied the effect of moderate doses of a combination of vitamin E and carotenoids, incorporated into a food product, on markers of antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in healthy persons.

Determinants of skin sensitivity to solar irradiation.

Background: Acute effects of UV irradiation include UV-induced erythema. Sunlight plays an important role in the development of skin cancer. Several predictive factors of UV-induced erythema could also be predictive for skin cancer.

Decreased carotenoid concentrations due to dietary sucrose polyesters do not affect possible markers of disease risk in humans.

Excessive consumption of energy and fat increases the risk for obesity. Snacks containing sucrose polyesters (SPE) as a dietary fat replacer are on the market in the United States. SPE products have been shown to lower concentrations of serum carotenoids in short-term studies.