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Published on: January 29, 2020
Carotenoids, retinol, and intestinal barrier function in children from northeastern Brazil
Milena M Vieira1, Jisun Paik, William S Blaner
1Clinical Research Unit and Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará, Brazil.
Insights
Low serum carotenoid levels are linked to impaired intestinal barrier function in Brazilian children. Carotenoids may serve as better indicators of gut health issues than vitamin A or retinol-binding protein.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Gastroenterology
- Pediatric Health
Background:
- Intestinal barrier dysfunction is a concern in pediatric populations.
- Vitamins and carotenoids play crucial roles in maintaining gut health.
- Understanding nutrient associations with intestinal permeability is vital for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between serum carotenoid and retinol (vitamin A) levels and intestinal barrier function.
- To assess these associations in children residing in an urban area of Fortaleza, Brazil.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive analysis was conducted on 102 children.
- Serum concentrations of carotenoids and retinol were measured.
- Intestinal barrier function was assessed using the lactulose:mannitol (L/M) ratio.
Main Results:
- Nearly half of the children exhibited elevated L/M ratios, indicating compromised intestinal barrier function.
- Serum carotenoids (lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin, beta-carotene) showed significant inverse correlations with the L/M ratio.
- Retinol and retinol-binding protein were not significantly associated with the L/M ratio, though retinol correlated with acute phase proteins.
Conclusions:
- Low serum carotenoid concentrations are associated with disrupted intestinal barrier function, particularly in the paracellular pathway.
- Carotenoids may be more effective biomarkers for intestinal barrier dysfunction than retinol or retinol-binding protein.
- These findings highlight the importance of carotenoid status for maintaining gut integrity in children.
Objectives:
To investigate the association of carotenoids and retinol (vitamin A) with intestinal barrier function in children in an urban community in Fortaleza, northeastern Brazil.
Methods:
Descriptive analysis of serum carotenoids and retinol concentrations with intestinal barrier function in 102 children from an urban community, July 2000 to August 2001.
Results:
The weight for height z score (wasting) showed that 19.6% (20/102) had mild malnutrition (-1 to -2 z score). All of the children's serum retinol concentrations were determined and none were severely deficient (< or =0.35 micromol/L), 2.9% (3/102) were moderately (0.36-0.70 micromol/L) deficient, 20.6% (21/102) were mildly (0.71-1.05 micromol/L) deficient; 76.5% (78/102) were vitamin A sufficient (>1.05 micromol/L). The lactulose:mannitol (L/M) ratio was elevated (> or =0.0864) in 49% (47/97) of children when compared with healthy children with normal L/M ratio (<0.0864) in the same geographic area. Serum carotenoids, lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin and beta-carotene showed significant inverse correlations with the L/M ratio, but not lutein after adjusting for age. Acute phase proteins (C-reactive protein and alpha-acid glycoprotein) were significantly inversely correlated with retinol but not with carotenoids. Retinol and retinol-binding protein were not significantly associated with L/M ratio.
Conclusions:
These data suggest a disruption of intestinal barrier function in the paracellular pathway with low serum concentrations of carotenoids. Carotenoids may provide a better marker for disrupted intestinal barrier function than retinol-binding protein or retinol.
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