Isabelle Hininger

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. The median total carotenoid intake based on the sum of the five carotenoids, was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in France (16.1 mg/day) and lower in Spain (9.5 mg/day,) than the other countries, where the average intake was approximately 14 mg/day. Comparison of dietary source of carotenoids showed that carrots were the major source of beta-carotene in all countries except Spain where spinach was most important. Likewise, carrots were also the main source of alpha-carotene. Tomato or tomato products, were the major source of lycopene. Lutein was mainly obtained from peas in Republic of Ireland and the UK, however, spinach was found to be the major source in other countries. In all countries, beta-cryptoxanthin was primarily obtained from citrus fruit. Comparing the data with that from specific European country studies suggests that the FFQ and carotenoid database described in the present paper can be used for comparative dietary intake studies within Europe. The results show that within Europe there are differences in the specific intake of some carotenoids which are related to different foods consumed by people in different countries.

Increased lipid peroxidation in pregnant women after iron and vitamin C supplementation

Iron overload could promote the generation of free radicals and result in deleterious cellular damages. A physiological increase of oxidative stress has been observed in pregnancy. A routine iron supplement, especially a combined iron and vitamin C supplementation, without biological justifications (low hemoglobin [Hb] and iron stores) could therefore aggravate this oxidative risk. We investigated the effect of a daily combined iron supplementation (100 mg/d as fumarate) and vitamin C (500 mg/d as ascorbate) for the third trimester of pregnancy on lipid peroxidation (plasma TBARS), antioxidant micronutriments (Zn, Se, retinol, vitaminE, (β-carotene) and antioxidant metalloenzymes (RBC Cu-Zn SOD and Se-GPX). The iron-supplemented group (n=27) was compared to a control group (n=27), age and number of pregnancies matched. At delivery, all the women exhibited normal Hb and ferritin values. In the supplemented group, plasma iron level was higher than in the control group (26.90±5.52 mmol/L) and TBARs plasma levels were significantly enhanced (p<0.05) (3.62±0.36 vs 3.01±0.37 mmol/L). No significant changes were observed in plasma trace elements and red blood cell antioxidant metalloenzymes. Furthermore, the α-tocopherol plasma level was lowered in the iron-supplemented groups, suggesting an increased utilization of vitamin E.These data show that pharmalogical doses of iron, associated with high vitamin C intakes, can result in uncontrolled lipid peroxidation. This is predictive of adverse effects for the mother and the fetus. This study illustrates the potential harmful effects of iron supplementation when prescribed only on the assumption of anemia and not on the bases of biological criteria.

Antioxidant Effects of a Cinnamon Extract in People with Impaired Fasting Glucose That Are Overweight or Obese

Objective: To determine the effects of a dried aqueous extract of cinnamon on antioxidant status of people with impaired fasting glucose that are overweight or obese. Methods: Twenty-two subjects, with impaired fasting blood glucose with BMI ranging from 25 to 45, were enrolled in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Subjects were given capsules containing either a placebo or 250 mg of an aqueous extract of cinnamon (Cinnulin PF) two times per day for 12 weeks. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were assessed using high performance liquid chromatography and plasma antioxidant status was evaluated using ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Erythrocyte Cu-Zn superoxide (Cu-Zn SOD) activity was measured after hemoglobin precipitation by monitoring the auto-oxidation of pyrogallol and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity by established methods. Results: FRAP and plasma thiol (SH) groups increased, while plasma MDA levels decreased in subjects receiving the cinnamon extract. Effects were larger after 12 than 6 weeks. There was also a positive correlation (r = 0.74; p = 0.014) between MDA and plasma glucose. Conclusion: This study supports the hypothesis that the inclusion of water soluble cinnamon compounds in the diet could reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

No Significant Effects of Lutein, Lycopene or β-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. They received daily supplements of β-carotene (15 mg), lutein (15 mg), lycopene (15 mg) and placebo for three months. The effects of the supplementation on antioxidant status were monitored by plasma carotenoid, vitamin C and A levels, glutathione (GSH and GSSG) concentrations, protein SH groups, erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities (Cu-Zn SOD, Se-GSH-Px) and susceptibility of LDL to copper-induced oxidation. Results:β-carotene, lycopene and lutein supplementation led to significant plasma and LDL increases in each of these carotenoids, without modifications of other carotenoid levels in plasma or in LDL. The supplementation failed to enhance the resistance of LDL to oxidation or to modify the LDL polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio. Vitamin C, GSH, protein SH groups and antioxidant metalloenzyme activities were also unchanged. Conclusion: We did not observe beneficial or adverse effects of lutein, lycopene or β-carotene supplementation on biomarkers of oxidative stress. In apparently healthy subjects, carotenoid supplementation does not lead to significantly measurable improvement in antioxidant defenses.

Effect of increased fruit and vegetable intake on the susceptibility of lipoprotein to oxidation in smokers

Objective: To evaluate the effect of an increased dietary intake of fruit and vegetables on susceptibility of LDL to oxidation in smokers and nonsmokers. Design: A descriptive and prospective study. Setting: Joseph Fourier University, Grenoble. Subjects: Volunteers were age and sex matched in the smoking and nonsmoking groups and were recruited by announcement. Interventions: Increased intake of fruits and vegetables for two weeks providing 30 mg/day of carotenoids. Main outcome measures: Circulating levels of beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, α-tocopherol; susceptibility of LDL to oxidation. Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD), and Se glutathione peroxidase (Se-GSH-Px) activities and reduced (GSH) and oxidized (GSSG) glutathione. Results: At entry (week 0: W0) smokers exhibited a lower plasma carotene level but the plasma parameters of oxidative stress and LDL oxidizability were not different from nonsmokers. After two weeks of increased intake of fruits and vegetables the circulating levels of carotenoids increased in smokers 23% and 11% in nonsmokers. At the same time the resistance of LDL to oxidation increased by 14% in smokers (P≤0.05) and by 28% in nonsmokers (P≤0.025). The mean whole bloodGSH level was higher in smokers at entry but returned to a concentration similar to nonsmokers at the end of the study. Conclusion: This pilot study indicates that an increased, carotenoid rich food intake through its inhibitory effect on the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation may be an interesting approach to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis both in smokers and nonsmokers. Sponsorship: This research has been supported by the European Union: AAIR project (AIR2-CT93-0888, DG 12SSMA).

Effects of a combined micronutrient supplementation on maternal biological status and newborn anthropometrics measurements: a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in apparently healthy pregnant women

Objective: To investigate the possible beneficial effects of a micronutrient supplementation to apparently healthy pregnant women on maternal biological status and new born anthropometric characteristics.Setting: Departments of Obstetric of the University Hospital of Grenoble (France) and Lyon (France), Laboratoire of Biology of Oxidative Stress, UFR de Pharmacie. Grenoble (France).Study design: Double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled intervention trial.Subjects: A total of 100 apparently healthy pregnant women were recruited at 14±2 weeks of gestation to delivery. At the end, they were 65 women to follow out the study.Interventions: Daily consumption over gestation of a miconutrients supplement or placebo.Main outcome measures: Plasma micronutrient levels and oxidative stress parameters were measured in mothers at 14 and 38 weeks of gestation. New borns anthropometric characteristics were measured at delivery.Results: In the supplemented group, folic acid, vitamin C, E, B2, B6 and β-carotene levels were higher than in the placebo group. Oxidative stress parameters were not different between the groups. Birth weights were increased by 10% and the number of low newborn weights (<2700g) decreased significantly when the mother received the supplementation. Maternal plasma Zn levels were positively correlated to the newborn heights.Conclusion: A regular intake of a micronutrient supplement at nutritional dose may be sufficient to improve micronutrient status of apparently healthy pregnant women and could prevent low birth weight of newborn.Sponsorship: The supplement and placebo were supplied and the study was partially funded by BOIRON Pharmaceutical Company.

Trace Element and Vitamin Deficiencies in French Pregnant Women

Until now the major trace element which was considered during pregnancy was iron and iron supplementation was quite systemic among clinical pratician. Our findings indicate that the proportion of pregnant women at risk of Zn deficiency is around 20 times more important than iron. Considering the role of zinc in the replication protein a particular attention to this trace element must be considered during pregnancy.