[Interaction of beta-carotene on lipid peroxidation induced by cigarette smoke]

To study the interaction of beta-carotene on lipid peroxidation induced by the smoke of cigarette.

Rat type II pneumocytes were isolated, cultured and then exposed to particles extracted from cigarette smoke and/or beta-carotene for 24 h. Malondialdehyde (MDA) in the cells was measured by TBA method. On the other hand, serum MDA of mice given beta-carotene supplements and/or exposed to cigarette smoke for 10 days was measured.

The particles extracted from cigarette smoke increased the content of MDA in the rate type II pneumocytes, and the lipid peroxidation was antagonized by adding 0.5 microgram/ml of beta-carotene to the cells simultaneously. The results from the in vivo study showed that serum MDA levels were increased in the cigarette smoke-treated groups, and the lipid peroxidation was reduced by treating mice with 2.5 mg per kg body weight of beta-carotene.

beta-carotene had an antagonistic effect on lipid peroxidation induced by cigarette smoke. The effective dosage of beta-carotene was 0.5 microgram/ml for rat pneumocytes and 2.5 mg/kg BW weight for mice.