Effects of lycopene and lutein supplementation on the expression of functionally associated surface molecules on blood monocytes from healthy male nonsmokers
Da. Hughes et al., Effects of lycopene and lutein supplementation on the expression of functionally associated surface molecules on blood monocytes from healthy male nonsmokers, J INFEC DIS, 182, 2000, pp. S11-S15
It has been suggested that dietary carotenoids can enhance immune function.
Supplementation with beta-carotene (15 mg daily) was previously shown to e
nhance human monocyte function. To examine the effect of other dietary caro
tenoids, two similar independent studies were done. Healthy adult male nons
mokers were randomly assigned to receive lycopene (study 1), lutein (study
2), or placebo for 26 days, followed by the alternative treatment for anoth
er 26 days. The expression of functionally related monocyte surface molecul
es was quantified by laser flow cytometry before and after each treatment p
eriod, There was a significant increase in plasma levels of each carotenoid
following dietary supplementation, but the effects on monocyte surface mol
ecule expression were not as striking as those observed after beta-carotene
supplementation. These findings emphasize that it cannot be assumed that t
he effect of one carotenoid will be the same as another, even at the same l
evel of intake.