Changes in serum carotenoids in subjects with colorectal adenomas after 24 mo of β-carotene supplementation

Abstract

The effect of β-carotene supplementation on major serum carotenoid fractions (lutein/zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, α-carotene, and β-carotene) was investigated in 224 people with colorectal adenomas (139 men, 85 women) recruited for the Australian Polyp Prevention Project (APPP). Each subject was randomly assigned to take either 20 mg β-carotene/d or placebo over 24 mo. Besides the expected increase in serum concentration of β-carotene (1073% in men, 839% in women), lycopene (176% in men) and α- carotene (211% in men and 166% in women) concentrations were also increased after body mass index, baseline concentration, change in respective carotenoid intake, and other confounding facto..