Estudo in vivo de uma suplementação rica em betacaroteno: biodisponibilidade e efeito antioxidativo no plasma humano.

Abstract

Carotenoids are natural pigments synthesized by plants and responsable for many color of various vegetables and fruits. Carotenoids attracted attention because their preventive effects against cronics diseases associated with their antioxidant activity. This study evaluated the bioavailability of b-carotene from tucumã fruits and the effects of a daily supplementation in vivo. 32 volunteers were divided in two groups: group 1 (n=21) received a suplementation of 5 mg b-carotene per day for 52 days and group 2 (n=11) did not have any supplementation and was denominated control group. It was realized 5 blood collections, with 13 days bettewen them. Biochemists parameters such as cholesterol (CT), HDL and LDL, triglycerides (TG), blood glucose (GLU) alkaline phosphatase (AF), TGP were enzimatically analized. The plasma oxidability was measured by TBARS method and the antioxidant capacity was measured by ORAC method. A methodology for carotenoids quantification in matrix biological and foods was developed. The bioavailability study of the b-carotene from tucumã fruits showed a low absorption and greater availability 5 hours later the ingestion. In the supplementation study was observed a significantly increase (p<0,05) on the plasma b-carotene concentration in group 1 and a significantly decrease in the TBARS formation, showing the b-carotene action in biological systems. HDL was significantly higher in the supplemented group (p<0,05) during 28 days after the beginning of the study. AF significantly decrease (p<0,05) in both groups. The ORAC values did not changed significantly, the same way CT concentration, LDL, TG, GLU and TGP didn’t. These results show the beneffic effects of b-carotene in humans in a short time and low concentration.