Changes in carotenoid intake from fruit and vegetables in the Spanish population over the period 1964-2004.

Objective: To assess changes in carotenoid intake based on the variations in the consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables in the Spanish population over the period 1964-2004.

Design: Consumption data of fresh fruit and vegetables from Family Budget Surveys carried out in 1964, 1980, 1990 and 2004. Consumption data (g per person per day) accounted for >90% of fruit and vegetable consumption at each time point.

Bioavailability of carotenoids and tocopherols from broccoli: in vivo and in vitro assessment.

Fruits and vegetables are the major sources of biologically active compounds, and carotenoids and tocopherols constitute important groups in human diets. Bioavailability is a critical feature in the assessment of the role of micronutrients in human health, and the approaches to this issue include in vitro and in vivo methods. Our aim was to evaluate the bioavailability of carotenoids and tocopherols present in broccoli and to compare in vitro and in vivo approaches.

Mediterranean vegetable soup consumption increases plasma vitamin C and decreases F2-isoprostanes, prostaglandin E2 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in healthy humans.

Consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes including heart disease and stroke. In this work, the bioavailability of vitamin C from a Mediterranean vegetable soup (gazpacho) constituted mainly of tomato, pepper and cucumber, and its influence on plasma vitamin C, 8-epi-prostaglandin F(2alpha) (8-epi-PGF2alpha), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and the cytokines/tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and IL-6 concentrations in a healthy human population were assessed. Six men and six women consumed 500 ml of commercial gazpacho per day for 14 days, corresponding to an intake of 78 mg of ascorbic acid per day.

[Ischemia-reperfusion injury during experimental heart transplantation. Evaluation of trimetazidine's cytoprotective effect].

Introduction And Objectives: The objectives of this study were to analyze the ischemia-reperfusion injury due to free radicals that occurs during heart transplantation and to determine the potential cytoprotective effect of trimetazidine.

Material And Method: A total of 21 orthotopic heart transplantations were performed in pigs. We divided the experimental animals into 2 groups: in group A (n=11),standard myocardial protection was used; in group B (n=10), trimetazidine was added to the cardioplegic solution used to protect the donor heart and to the solution administered to the recipient prior to release of the aortic clamp (trimetazidine, 10(-5) mol/L), and recipients were pretreated with trimetazidine, 2.

Intake of Mediterranean vegetable soup treated by pulsed electric fields affects plasma vitamin C and antioxidant biomarkers in humans.

The bioavailability of vitamin C from pulsed electric fields (PEF)-treated vegetable soup in comparison with freshly made (FM) vegetable soup-gazpacho-and its impact on 8-epiPGF(2alpha) and uric acid concentrations in a human population were assessed. For this purpose six subjects consumed 500 ml PEF-treated vegetable soup/day, and six subjects consumed 500 ml FM vegetable soup/day for 14 days. On the first day of the study, the subjects drank the vegetable soup in one dose (dose-response study), and on days 2-14 they consumed 250 ml in the morning and 250 ml in the afternoon (multiple-dose-response study).

Pulsed electric fields-processed orange juice consumption increases plasma vitamin C and decreases F2-isoprostanes in healthy humans.

Orange juice, a rich source of vitamin C, accounts for 60% of all fruit juices and juice-based drinks consumed in western Europe. Orange juice preservation is currently accomplished by traditional pasteurization. Pulsed electric fields (PEF) have been studied as a nonthermal food preservation method.

Consumption of high-pressurized vegetable soup increases plasma vitamin C and decreases oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in healthy humans.

Current evidence supports a significant association between fruit and vegetable intake and health. In this study, we assessed the effect of consuming a vegetable-soup "gazpacho" on vitamin C and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in a healthy human population. We also examined the association between vitamin C and F(2)-isoprostanes (8-epiPGF(2alpha)), uric acid (UA), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and the cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and IL-6.

Carotenoid depletion in serum of young type-1 diabetics fed low-carotenoid diets.

Background/aims: Type-1 diabetics have been considered to be at risk for increased oxidative stress which has been implicated in the development of long-term diabetes complications. Evidence suggests that antioxidant activity may be an important mechanism by which carotenoids could confer protection in human health. Our aim was to compare the serum carotenoid depletion rate in type-1 diabetics and control subjects consuming low-carotenoid diets.

Antioxidant effect of gamma-tocopherol supplied by propofol preparations (Diprivan) during ischemia-reperfusion in experimental lung transplantation.

Free radicals are involved in ischemia-reperfusion injury and inflammatory processes. The commercial formulation of the anesthetic propofol contains gamma-tocopherol and delta-tocopherol, which may exert antioxidant effects during transplantation. Animals were randomly assigned to a control group or experimental groups for lung transplantation after 3 and 24 h of ischemia.

Nutritional and clinical relevance of lutein in human health.

Lutein is one of the most widely found carotenoids distributed in fruits and vegetables frequently consumed. Its presence in human tissues is entirely of dietary origin. Distribution of lutein among tissues is similar to other carotenoids but, along with zeaxanthin, they are found selectively at the centre of the retina, being usually referred to as macular pigments.

Effect of orange juice intake on vitamin C concentrations and biomarkers of antioxidant status in humans.

Background: Consumption of fruit and vegetables is associated with improved health and a decreased prevalence of chronic degenerative processes.

Objectives: The objectives were to assess the bioavailability of vitamin C from orange juice and its influence on plasma vitamin C and 8-epi-prostaglandin F(2 alpha) (8-epi-PGF(2 alpha)) concentrations in a healthy human population.

Design: Six men and 6 women consumed 500 mL commercial fresh-squeezed orange juice/d for 14 d, corresponding to an intake of 250 mg ascorbic acid/d.

High-pressurized orange juice consumption affects plasma vitamin C, antioxidative status and inflammatory markers in healthy humans.

We examined the bioavailability of vitamin C in orange juice processed using high pressure (HP) and its effects on plasma levels of vitamin C, uric acid (UA), F2-isoprostanes (8-epiPGF(2alpha)), C-reactive protein (CRP) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in a healthy human population. Subjects (6 men, 6 women) enrolled in the study consumed 500 mL/d of HP orange juice for 14 d, corresponding to an intake of 250 mg of vitamin C. On d 1 of the study, subjects drank the juice in one dose; on d 2 until the end of the study, d 14, they drank 250 mL in the morning and 250 mL in the afternoon.

Retinol and alpha-tocopherol in serum of type 1 diabetic patients with intensive insulin therapy: a long term follow-up study.

Objective: We evaluated the effect of intensive insulin therapy and glycemic control in patients with type 1 diabetes on biochemical markers of vitamin A and E.

Methods: Fifty-seven patients with type 1 diabetes were enrolled in a follow-up study for 3 to 33 mo. At entrance, all patients were on conventional insulin therapy or recently had been diagnosed with the disease.

Lutein, but not alpha-tocopherol, supplementation improves visual function in patients with age-related cataracts: a 2-y double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study.

Objective: We investigated the effect of long-term antioxidant supplementation (lutein and alpha-tocopherol) on serum levels and visual performance in patients with cataracts.

Methods: Seventeen patients clinically diagnosed with age-related cataracts were randomized in a double-blind study involving dietary supplementation with lutein (15 mg; n = 5), alpha-tocopherol (100 mg; n = 6), or placebo (n = 6), three times a week for up to 2 y. Serum carotenoid and tocopherol concentrations were determined with quality-controlled high-performance liquid chromatography, and visual performance (visual acuity and glare sensitivity) and biochemical and hematologic indexes were monitored every 3 mo throughout the study.

Serum depletion and bioavailability of lutein in type I diabetic patients.

Background: Lutein, a non-provitamin A carotenoid, is frequently consumed in the human diet. It is distributed preferentially in certain human tissues (i. e.

A European multicentre, placebo-controlled supplementation study with alpha-tocopherol, carotene-rich palm oil, lutein or lycopene: analysis of serum responses.

Increased levels of oxidative stress have been implicated in tissue damage and the development of chronic diseases, and dietary antioxidants may reduce the risk of oxidative tissue damage. As part of a European multicentre project, several studies were undertaken with the aim of testing whether the consumption of foods rich in carotenoids reduces oxidative damage to human tissue components. We describe here the serum response of carotenoids and tocopherols upon supplementation with carotenoids from natural extracts (alpha-carotene+beta-carotene, lutein or lycopene; 15 mg/day) and/or with alpha-tocopherol (100 mg/day) in a multicentre, placebo-controlled intervention study in 400 healthy male and female volunteers, aged 25-45 years, from five European regions (France, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, The Netherlands and Spain).

Comparison of LDL fatty acid and carotenoid concentrations and oxidative resistance of LDL in volunteers from countries with different rates of cardiovascular disease.

Within Europe there are differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk between countries and this might be related to dietary habits. Oxidative modification of LDL is suggested to increase the risk of CVD and both the fatty acid and antioxidant content of LDL can affect its oxidation. In the present study, concentration of LDL fatty acid and antioxidant micronutrients (tocopherols and carotenoids) and ex vivo oxidative resistance of LDL (lag phase) was compared in volunteers from five countries with different fruit and vegetable intakes and reported rates of CVD.

Plasma status of retinol, alpha- and gamma-tocopherols, and main carotenoids to first myocardial infarction: case control and follow-up study.

Objective: Epidemiologic studies have suggested that dietary intake and plasma concentrations of antioxidants have an inverse relation with coronary heart disease. To test whether fat-soluble antioxidants can play a role against the occurrence of myocardial infarction (MI), we measured plasma levels of retinol, tocopherols, and individual carotenoids in MI patients.

Methods: A case-control and follow-up study of patients in the Móstoles area (Madrid, Spain).

Serum status of carotenoids and tocopherols in patients with age-related cataracts: a case-control study.

Background: Cataract is an important health problem that increase with age, causes decreased visual acuity and constitute a major cause of disability in the elderly. Epidemiological studies have shown that elevated serum levels and / or intake of several antioxidants, such as carotenoids, vitamin E and ascorbic acid, are associated with a diminished risk for cataracts.

Objective: To assess the serum fat-soluble antioxidant status in patients with cataracts and its relationship with visual function.

Vitamin A and E content in dairy products: their contribution to the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for elderly people.

Objective: To determine the vitamin A, E and individual carotenoid content in dairy products and to assess their potential contribution to Recommended Dietary Intakes in elderly persons.

Methods: Dairy products frequently consumed were analyzed: whole, semi-skimmed and skimmed milk, vitamin-fortified milk, dry powder milk, yoghourt, cream, smelted and grated cheese, custard, butter, margarine and dairy-based probiotic products. Analysis were performed by HPLC as previously described.

No significant effects of lutein, lycopene or beta-carotene supplementation on biological markers of oxidative stress and LDL oxidizability in healthy adult subjects.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of individual carotenoid supplementation on biochemical indices of oxidative status in apparently healthy adult males.

Methods: The study was a placebo controlled single blind study. Healthy male volunteers (n= 175) were assigned to four groups.

A European carotenoid database to assess carotenoid intakes and its use in a five-country comparative study.

A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and carotenoid database with information on alpha- and beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene and beta-cryptoxanthin was prepared and used to compare the carotenoid intakes in five European countries: UK, Republic of Ireland, Spain, France and The Netherlands. Eighty, age- (25-45 years) and sex-matched volunteers were recruited in each of the five countries. A FFQ and carotenoid database was prepared of the most commonly consumed carotenoid rich foods in the participating countries and the information was used to calculate frequency and intake of carotenoid-rich foods.

Serum concentrations of carotenoids and vitamins A, E, and C in control subjects from five European countries.

High intakes of fruits and vegetables, or high circulating levels of their biomarkers (carotenoids, vitamins C and E), have been associated with a relatively low incidence of cardiovascular disease, cataract and cancer. Exposure to a high fruit and vegetable diet increases antioxidant concentrations in blood and body tissues, and potentially protects against oxidative damage to cells and tissues. This paper describes blood concentrations of carotenoids, tocopherols, ascorbic acid and retinol in well-defined groups of healthy, non-smokers, aged 25-45 years, 175 men and 174 women from five European countries (France, UK (Northern Ireland), Republic of Ireland, The Netherlands and Spain).

Growth and micronutrient needs of adolescents.

Objective: This paper focuses on micronutrients in relation to needs throughout adolescence, a period which involved growth and development that occur through a complex interaction of genetic instructions, hormones and environmental influences, many of them of dietary origin. In the context of micronutrient 'needs' it is of special importance to differentiate between the 'nutritional needs' and 'metabolic needs'. Two main questions arise in relation to the micronutrient needs: (1) why are micronutrients necessary? and (2) how are their needs assessed?

Results: The 'necessary' amount will differ according to the objectives pursued: (a) to achieve a satisfactory rate of growth and development; and (b) to maintain 'optimal health'.