Protective Effects of Serum Carotenoid Status on Respiratory Health Among Low-Income Individuals With COPD

COPD is a chronic inflammatory disease where diet-derived carotenoids may counteract inflammation and improve COPD outcomes. Our objective was to evaluate associations between serum carotenoid levels and COPD outcomes.

Low-income individuals with COPD in the Baltimore, Maryland area completed longitudinal assessment including a panel of 10 serum carotenoids, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers and COPD outcomes. A total carotenoid level was created by summing the individual value for each carotenoid. Adjusted regression analyses were performed to analyze the association between total and individual carotenoids and COPD outcomes.

Of 98 participants, two-thirds had a household income less than $30,000. In adjusted analyses, each SD increase of total and individual carotenoid levels was significantly associated with better COPD-related health scores and associated with lower frequency of severe exacerbations. Total carotenoid levels had an inverse relationship with tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α: -3.0% (-5.1, -0.8)], and interleukin-6 [IL-6: -9.5% (-16.0, -2.5)].

Higher serum carotenoid levels had a positive impact on COPD health status scores, inflammatory markers, and may lower the incidence of exacerbations. Future research should continue to investigate the role of nutrition as a complementary therapy for lung health.