Decrease of serum carotenoids in Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease (CD) is frequently complicated by various nutritional distu rbances. Although it is important to correct these disturbances, the nutrit ional status of CD patients has been poorly documented, especially concerni ng vitamin status. The aims of this study were (a) to measure the serum con centrations of vitamin A and six other carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, alp ha-, beta-carotene, alpha-, beta-cryptoxanthin) in patients with CD and to compare them with those in healthy controls and (b) to follow the changes o f serum carotenoid levels in CD patients during treatment. Twenty-eight pat ients with CD and 23 healthy persons were included in this study. The resul ts of twelve patients were followed up through one year. The patients were free of any nutritional treatment. The serum concentrations of carotenoids were measured with high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The serum co ncentrations of five carotenoids were significantly lower in the patients t han in the controls (vitamin A, zeaxanthin: P < 0.001; alpha-, beta-caroten e: p < 0.01; lutein: P < 0.05). The carotenoid status of the followed patie nts advanced to the normal range, but this increase was not significant. Th ese findings suggest that there is a deficiency of vitamin A and its provit amins in Crohn's disease prior to treatment. However, because we did not ev aluate the vitamin intake in this study, we could not conclude which of the factors - poor intake, increased requirement, or malabsorption - was more important in decreasing of carotenoid levels. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Lid . Published by Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.