Possible Interaction: Beta Carotene and Canthaxanthin

“These findings suggest distinct mechanisms of incorporation into lipoproteins and specific interactions of beta-carotene and canthaxanthin during intestinal absorption in humans.”

“… beta-carotene … canthaxanthin inhibited the appearance of canthaxanthin in plasma, chylomicrons, and each VLDL subfraction (P < 0.05), but did not significantly affect the rapid accumulation … 10 h. In contrast, ingestion of the combined dose did not significantly affect the appearance of beta-carotene in plasma or plasma lipoproteins.”

“RESULTS Ingestion of a concurrent be a-carotene dose re duced the pea k serum canthaxanthin co ncentration by 38.8 +/- 6.5%, and the 24- and 72-hour areas under the serum canthaxanthin concentration-time curves by 38.1 +/- 6.4 and 34.4 +/- 7.4%, respectively.”

“The suggested antagonism between beta-carotene and canthaxanthin was not reciprocal; beta-carotene inhibited the appearance of canthaxanthin in serum but canthaxanthin did not inhibit the appearance of beta-carotene.”

“Much of the evidence suggests an interaction between beta-carotene and oxycarotenoids such as canthaxanthin and lutein, and between the hydrocarbon carotenoids beta-carotene and lycopene.”

“However, in tumor tissues, the concentration of canthaxanthin (4.9 to 6.0 nmol/g) was higher than that of beta-carotene (0.2 to 0.5 nmol/g) and astaxanthin (1.2 to 2.7 nmol/g).”

“ Canthaxanthin and bixin had higher suppressive activity that beta-carotene and lutein.”

“In vivo, dietary combinations of canthaxanthin and beta-carotene resulted in lower liver levels of both carotenoids and vitamin A and in a higher beta-carotene/vitamin A ratio as compared to groups supplemented with the compounds separately.”

“This … that canthaxanthin at … with beta-carotene for intestinal absorption and inhibits the conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A. Thus, we suggest that although canthaxanthin is not … for beta-carotene dioxygenase, it is likely to affect the activity of provitamin A carotenoids by direct interaction with the enzyme.”

“In Experiment 1, ferrets … combined dose of beta-carotene … canthaxanthin had serum beta-carotene concentrations that were significantly lower at 8, 12 and 24 h post-dosing (P < 0.05), … that received an individual dose of beta-carotene; liver, adrenal and kidney beta-carotene concentrations were also significantly reduced.”

“The results suggest that, at the doses given, a concurrent oral canthaxanthin dose has a specific antagonistic effect on the bioavailability of a beta-carotene dose in ferrets.”