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Carotenoids and the immune response.

A Bendich1

  • 1Clinical Nutrition, Hoffmann-LaRoche Inc., Nutley, NJ 07110.

The Journal of Nutrition
|January 1, 1989
PubMed
Summary

Beta-carotene enhances immune cell function and tumoricidal capacity in animal studies. This suggests carotenoids may play a role in cancer prevention beyond their vitamin A precursor function.

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A STUDY OF THE PENETRATION OF MAMMALIAN CELLS BY DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACIDS.

The Journal of biophysical and biochemical cytology·2009

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Nutritional Science
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Growing evidence suggests beta-carotene impacts immune cell function.
  • Carotenoids possess antioxidant and singlet oxygen quenching properties.
  • Epidemiological studies link lower carotenoid status to higher cancer incidence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the immunomodulatory effects of beta-carotene.
  • To explore the role of carotenoids in immune enhancement and tumoricidal capacity.
  • To determine if beta-carotene's benefits extend beyond its role as a vitamin A precursor.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro and in vivo laboratory animal studies.
  • Assessment of phagocytic cell protection from autooxidative damage.
  • Evaluation of T and B lymphocyte responses, effector T cell functions, and natural killer cell activity.

Main Results:

  • Beta-carotene protects phagocytic cells and enhances lymphocyte proliferation.
  • It stimulates effector T cell functions and increases tumoricidal capacities of macrophages and natural killer cells.
  • Carotenoids lacking provitamin A activity show similar immunoenhancing effects.

Conclusions:

  • Beta-carotene and other carotenoids enhance multiple aspects of immune function.
  • Immunoenhancement correlates with reduced tumor burden in animal models.
  • Beta-carotene's importance may lie in its antioxidant and immune-modulating properties, not solely as a vitamin A precursor.

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