PROOXIDANT ACTIONS OF CAROTENOIDS IN BIOLOGIC SYSTEMS

The potential for carotenoids to modulate chronic disease risk is curr ently under investigation, and renewed interest has been placed on ach ieving a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of carotenoi ds in biologic systems. Available data currently show that the antioxi dant activity of these compounds may shift into prooxidant activity, d epending on the redox potential of the carotenoid molecules as well as on the biologic environment in which they act The prooxidant potency of these compounds is determined by several factors, including oxygen tension, carotenoid concentration, and interactions with other antioxi dants. Prooxidant activity can induce either beneficial or harmful res ults in biologic systems and influence the development of human chroni c diseases.