Β-Carotene in the human body: metabolic bioactivation pathways – from digestion to tissue distribution and excretion. Issue 1 (12th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bohn, Torsten; Desmarchelier, Charles; El, Sedef N.; Keijer, Jaap; van Schothorst, Evert; Rühl, Ralph; Borel, Patrick
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. Volume 78:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 68
• Page End: 87
• Publication Date: 2019-02-12
• Subjects: Micellisation, -- Absorption, -- SNPs, -- Apo-carotenoids, -- Retinoic acid, -- Vitamin A, -- Nuclear hormone receptor; Nutrition -- Congresses; 612.30993
• DOI: 10.1017/S0029665118002641
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0029-6651

Abstract

Abstract : β-Carotene intake and tissue/blood concentrations have been associated with reduced incidence of several chronic diseases. Further bioactive carotenoid-metabolites can modulate the expression of specific genes mainly via the nuclear hormone receptors: retinoic acid receptor- and retinoid X receptor-mediated signalling. To better understand the metabolic conversion of β-carotene, inter-individual differences regarding β-carotene bioavailability and bioactivity are key steps that determine its further metabolism and bioactivation and mediated signalling. Major carotenoid metabolites, the retinoids, can be stored as esters or further oxidised and excreted via phase 2 metabolism pathways. In this review, we aim to highlight the major critical control points that determine the fate of β-carotene in the human body, with a special emphasis on β-carotene oxygenase 1. The hypothesis that higher dietary β-carotene intake and serum level results in higher β-carotene-mediated signalling is partly questioned. Alternative autoregulatory mechanisms in β-carotene / retinoid-mediated signalling are highlighted to better predict and optimise nutritional strategies involving β-carotene-related health beneficial mediated effects.