Background. Carotenoids are natural pigments known for their potent antioxidant properties. Thus they are objects of interest in a variety of human diseases whose etiopathology involves oxidative damage. However, little is known about the levels of these compounds in the Lithuanian population.
Objectives. The aim ofthe study was to assess the mean concentration of serum carotenoids and evaluate the effect of lifestyle and demographic factors on variability of carotenoid status in ethnic Lithuanians.
Material and methods. Serum concentrations of six carotenoids - lutein, zeaxanthin, a- and P-carotene, P-cryptoxanthin and lycopene - were measured in 232 (47.2% male, 52.8% female) study individuals (45-65y) using HPLC method. Participants were interviewed using validated questionnaire. Associations between serum carotenoid levels and gender, season, BMI, alcohol intake and smoking status were assessed by linear regression method. ANOVA was used to determine the mean differences. The statistical software IBM SPSS (v.21) was used for the statistical analysis.
Results. Mean concentrations (pmol/l) were calculated for the following serum carotenoids: lutein + zeaxanthin (0.277±0.144), a-carotene (0.165±0.124), P-carotene (0.526±0.414), P-cryptoxanthin (0.128±0.128), lycopene (0.56±0.305), total (1.57±0.76). Season and gender were statistically significant in the regression model for all carotenoids (p<0.005). Females had significantly higher total carotenoid levels than males (1.75±0.8 vs. 1.41±0.69). The lowest total carotenoid levels were in spring (1.31±0.64), the highest in autumn (1.76±0.85). a- and P-carotene levels were lower in study group with very high physical activtty, overweight and obese individuals.
Conclusions. In the study population total and individual carotenoid levels were one of the lowest compared to the concentrations reported in other European countries. Season and gender were the most important predictors of individual and total plasma carotenoid level among others demographic and lifestyle factors.
