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In a study involving 57 patients with biopsy-proven non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and 40 healthy controls, significantly decreased levels of alpha-tocopherol (22.4 vs. 26.8 nmol/l), lutein (0.19 vs. 0.33 nmol/ml), zeaxanthin (0.04 vs. 0.08 nmol/ml), lycopene (0.15 vs. 0.42 nmol/ml), alpha-carotene (0.03 vs. 0.06 nmol/ml), and beta-carotene (0.25 vs. 0.39 nmol/ml) were found in patients with NASH, as compared to controls. Given these results, the authors state, "…supplementation of lipophilic antioxidants might be a rational treatment option for patients with NASH." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a study involving data from 82 male airplane pilots exposed to ionizing radiation (IR), chromosome translocations (a biomarker for cumulative DNA damage) were found to be inversely associated with dietary intakes of vitamin C and E, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lutein-zeaxanthin. Subjects consuming >/= median high-vitamin C fruit and vegetables, citrus fruit, and green leafy vegetables were found to have adjusted rate ratios of: 0.61, 0.64, and 0.59, respectively. Subjects consuming >/= median combined intakes of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lutein-zeaxanthin were found to have an adjusted rate ratio of 0.27. These results suggest that, "High combined intakes of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lutein-zeaxanthin from food, or a diet high in their food sources, may protect against cumulative DNA damage in IR-exposed persons." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a community-based, cross-sectional study involving 762 subjects aged 65 years or older, serum levels of retinol and provitamin A carotenoids (beta-cryptoxanthin, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene) were inversely associated with hearing impairment. Compared to the lowest quartile, subjects in the highest quartile of retinol were found to have significantly reduced odds of hearing impairment (OR of 0.51), as were those in the highest quartile of provitamin A carotenoids (OR of 0.53). Dose-response relationships were observed for both retinol and provitamin A with hearing impairment. The authors conclude, "Increased serum levels of retinol and provitamin A carotenoids were clearly associated with a decreased prevalence of hearing impairment." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a study involving data from 5,450 women, out of which 190 incident cases of breast cancer were identified over an 8-year follow-up, risk of invasive breast cancer was found to be inversely associated with serum alpha-carotene concentration (HR=0.55 comparing the highest to the lowest tertiles), after multivariable adjustment. In addition, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene were found to be inversely associated with breast cancer, according to analysis of repeated measurements. Lycopene was positively associated with breast cancer risk (HR=1.47), as was gamma-tocopherol. The authors conclude, "The present study, which was the first to assess repeated measurements of serum carotenoids and micronutrients in relation to breast cancer, adds to the evidence of an inverse association of specific carotenoids with breast cancer." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a population-based, cross-sectional study involving 374 men between the ages of 40 and 80 years, total carotenoid intake and lycopene intake were found to be inversely associated with presence of the metabolic syndrome. Of the study population, 22% were found to have the metabolic syndrome. Compared to the lowest quartile, subjects in the highest quartile of total carotenoid intake were found to have a 0.42 relative risk of the metabolic syndrome, and those in the highest quartile of lycopene intake were found to have a 0.55 relative risk of the metabolic syndrome. Lycopene intake was also found to be associated with lower triglyceride concentrations. In addition, higher intakes of total carotenoids, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and lycopene were found to be associated with lower waist circumference and lower visceral and subcutaneous fat mass. These results suggest that intake of carotenoids may help to protect against the metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a community-based, cross-sectional study involving 111 subjects with type 2 diabetes, combined lycopene and lutein/zeaxanthin (non-pro-vitamin A carotenoid) concentration when compared with the pro-vitamin A carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin), was significantly lower among subjects with diabetic retinopathy, as compared to those without retinopathy (OR=1.2 vs. 1.6). In addition, after adjusting for potential confounders, a higher non-PVA:PVA ratio was also found to predict a lower risk of diabetic retinopathy (OR=0.33). The authors conclude, "We suggest synergies between carotenoids are implicated in diabetic retinopathy, independent of established risk factors. Importantly, our observations indicate dietary modulation of retinopathy risk may be possible by increasing intakes of lutein- and lycopene-rich foods." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a study involving data from a U.S. population-based, cross-sectional study (Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), higher serum concentraions of various antioxidant vitamins (vitamin A, beta-cryptoxanthin, vitamin C, vitamin E), as well as selenium, normalized calcium, chloride, and iron, were independently associated with higher levels of FEV1, while higher concentrations of potassium and sodium were associated with lower FEV1. These results suggest that maintaining high serum concentrations of various antioxidants may benefit the lungs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Plasma Carotenoids and Prostate Cancer: A Population-Based Case-Control Study in Arkansas," by J. Zhang, I. Dhakal et al is presented.

An abstract of the study "Intake of Specific Carotenoids and the Risk of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer," is presented.

An abstract of the study "Effect of Antioxidants on Knee Cartilage and Bone in Healthy, Middle-Aged Subjects: A Cross-Sectional Study," by Y. Wang, A. M. Hodge et al, which explored the beneficial effects of fruit consumption and vitamin C intake on knee structure, is presented.

An abstract of the article "Serum Concentrations of Antioxidant Vitamins and Carotenoids Are Low in Individuals With a History of Attempted Suicide," by Y. Li and J. Zhang is presented.

An abstract of the article "Dietary Carotenoids and Risk of Breast Cancer in Chinese Women," by J. P. Huang and M. Zhang is presented.

An abstract of the study "Associations Between Body Mass Index and the Prevalence of Low Micronutrient Levels Among U.S. Adults" is presented.

The article presents an abstract of the study "Prospective Study of Vitamins C, E and Carotenoids and Risk of Oral Premalignant Lesions in Men," by N. N. Maserejian, E. Giovannucci et al., which was published in a 2006 issue of the "International Journal of Cancer."

The article discusses research being done on the association of maternal antioxidant intake during pregnancy with reduced risk of wheezing in children, with reference to a study by A. A. Litonjua, S. L. Rifas-Shiman, et al in a 2006 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition."

The article presents an abstract of the study "Protective Effects of Plasma Carotenoids on the Risk of Bladder Cancer," by R. J. Hung and Z. F. Zhang.

The article presents a study of 218 subjects with chronic airflow limitation which shows an imbalance in antioxidant/oxidant status which was associated with chronic airflow limitation. The findings of the study also show that an imbalance in antioxidant/oxidant status may be associated with chronic airflow limitation.

The article presents an abstract of the study "Low plasma levels of oxygenated carotenoids in patients with coronary artery disease," by C. Lidebjer, P. Leanderson, et al.