BETA-CAROTENE ACCUMULATION IN MOUSE-TISSUES AND A PROTECTIVE ROLE AGAINST LIPID-PEROXIDATION

Mice were supplemented with beta-carotene in beverage for 10 days. Aft er the supplement, beta-carotene accumulated mainly in the liver and t o some extent in the blood plasma, kidney and lung. The beta-carotene. administration was associated with an increase in the amount of retin yl ester and retinol in the liver; but not in the amount of retinol in blood plasma. Lipid peroxidation in vivo was induced by the injection of carbon tetrachloride under the dorsal skirt of mice. As an index o f lipid peroxidation, thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TEARS) were assayed in urine and tissue homogenates. Urine and kidney TEARS w ere reduced by the supplementation of beta-carotene. The amounts of TB ARS in kidney, liver and lung, decreased with increasing amounts of be ta-carotene accumulated in these tissues, i.e. inverse correlations we re obtained. These results indicate that beta-carotene can suppress li pid peroxidation in mouse tissue.