The carotenoids beta-carotene, canthaxanthin and zeaxanthin inhibit macrophage-mediated LDL oxidation

Human monocyte-macrophages were incubated for 24 h in Ham's F-10 medium with human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the presence or absence of beta-carotene, canthaxanthin or zeaxanthin, at final concentrations of 2.5, 12.5 and 25 mg/l. LDL oxidation, measured by agarose gel electrophoresis, the thiobarbituric acid assay and gas chromatography, was inhibited by each of the carotenoids in a concentration-dependent manner. Canthaxanthin was more effective when incorporated into LDL before addition to the cultures whereas beta-carotene and zeaxanthin were more effective when added simultaneously with LDL. The results suggest that dietary carotenoids might help slow atherosclerosis progression.