Subcellular distribution of beta-carotene, retinol, and alpha-tocopherol in porcine lymphocytes after a single injection of beta-carotene.

The subcellular distribution of beta-carotene, retinol, and alpha-tocopherol in lymphocytes was studied in pigs (50 to 55 kg) injected once with 0, 20, or 40 mg of beta-carotene. Blood was sampled at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h postinjection. Plasma beta-carotene in treated pigs peaked at 24 h and decreased rapidly thereafter.

Kinetic characteristics of beta-carotene uptake after an injection of beta-carotene in pigs.

Two experiments were conducted to study the uptake of beta-carotene in plasma, lipoproteins, and blood cells in pigs (50 to 55 kg; n = 40) after an i.m. injection of 0, 10, 20, or 40 mg of beta-carotene.