Abstract
Objective: To assess the effects of supplementation with the carotenoids, β-carotene or lycopene, at levels achievable within a diet rich in fruit and vegetables, on immune function in a group of free-living healthy elderly.
Design: A double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. T cell subsets and the expression of functionally associated cell surface molecules, quantified by flow cytometry, and lectin-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, were compared before and following the treatment period.
Subjects: Fifty-eight subjects aged over 65 y were recruited; 52 were included in the final analysis.
Interventions: Participants received one placebo, one lycopene (13.3 mg) or one β-carotene (8.2 mg) capsule daily for 12 weeks.
Results: No significant differences were observed in any of the parameters examined following either lycopene or β-carotene supplementation.
Conclusions: In well-nourished, free-living, healthy elderly individuals, supplementation with relatively low levels of β-carotene or lycopene is not associated with either a beneficial or detrimental effects on several aspects of cell-mediated immunity.
Sponsorship: Financial support was provided by the Commission of the European Communities, specific programme AIR2 CT93-0888 DGXII SSMA, ‘Increased fruit and vegetable consumption within the EC: potential health benefits’, co-ordinated by Professor S Southon, Institute of Food Research, Norwich, UK.
European Journal Clinical Nutrition (2001) 55, 627–635
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Acknowledgements
β-Cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin standards for HPLC analysis were provided free of charge by Hoffman La Roche, Switzerland. The technical assistance of Siobha´n Higgins, Yvonne Carroll and Sine´ad McCarthy are gratefully acknowledged.
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Corridan, B., O’Donoghue, M., Hughes, D. et al. Low-dose supplementation with lycopene or β-carotene does not enhance cell-mediated immunity in healthy free-living elderly humans. Eur J Clin Nutr 55, 627–635 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601187
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601187