Carotenoids and alcoholic liver disease

Chronic and excessive consumption of alcohol leads to the development of alcoholic liver disease. The depletion of vitamin A is a well-known consequence of alcohol consumption, and may be associated with the observed alcohol-induced hepatic injury. The provitamin A carotenoid β-carotene has been demonstrated to increase alcohol-induced hepatic injury when given in high doses, while low dose supplementation provides protection against hepatic injury. However, it is unknown if the hepatoprotective effects of low dose β-carotene are due to the protective actions of β-carotene itself or if the alterations are due to restored vitamin A levels. Future studies are needed to provide further insight into the specific mechanisms by which β-carotene exerts its protective effect. Further, supplementation studies utilizing high doses of β-carotene in the presence of alcohol must be done with caution.