Effect of β-carotene supplementation on proliferation of lymphocytes and red blood cell hemolyses in young people.

Objective: To investigate the effect of beta-carotene supplementation on proliferation of lymphocytes and red blood cell (RBC) hemolyses in young people. Method: One hundred and eighty-eight young subjects were randomly divided into 4 groups, the fourth group was only supplemented with 5mg/d vitamin E as a placebo. The first, second and third groups were daily supplemented with 5mg/d vitamin E + 16.7mg/d, 8.35mg/d and 5.57mg/d beta-carotene respectively for 8 weeks. The proliferation of peripheral-blood lymphocytes (PPL) and the hemolytic degree of RBC induced with H202 were measured at the beginning and the end of the trial. Results: After 8 week supplementation, the proliferation of PPL in the first group increased by 30.4% (P<0.05); compared with the control group, it increased by 25.0%(P<0.05). The RBC hemolyses in the middling-dose group (8.35mg/d) was significantly lower after the trial (P<0.05). Conclusion: The moderate supplementation of beta-carotene could improve the proliferation of lymphocytes and decrease RBC hemolyses against H2O2 oxidation in young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]