Reduction in Serum Carotenoid Levels Following One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass.

Given the health benefits of carotenoids, it is crucial to evaluate their levels in patients undergoing malabsorptive procedures like one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB). This study aimed to assess serum carotenoid levels before and 6 months following OAGB. Prospectively collected data from patients who underwent primary OAGB were analyzed. Data included anthropometrics, dietary intake assessments, and biochemical tests. Serum samples were analyzed for lipid profile and serum carotenoids, including lutein, zeaxanthin, α-carotene, ß-carotene, phytofluene, ζ-carotene, and lycopene. Data from 27 patients (median age 47.0 years and 55.6% female) were available before and 6 months post-OAGB. The median pre-surgical BMI was 39.5 kg/m2, and the median excess weight loss at 6 months post-surgery was 63.9%. Significant decreases in all carotenoid levels were observed over time (p < 0.001 for all). A median relative decline of 65.1% in absolute total carotenoid levels and 12.7% in total cholesterol levels were found. No associations were observed between changes in clinical outcomes and carotenoid levels during the study period. This study reveals significant decreases in carotenoid levels within the first 6 months following OAGB. Nutritional intervention studies are needed to explore how incorporating carotenoid-rich foods affects post-surgery carotenoid levels and clinical outcomes.

The Carotenoid Composition of Larvae Feed Is Reflected in Adult House Fly (Musca domestica) Body.

Carotenoids are common and diverse organic compounds with various functional roles in animals. Except for certain aphids, mites, and gall midges, all animals only acquire necessary carotenoids through their diet. The house fly (Musca domestica) is a cosmopolitan pest insect that populates diverse habitats. Its larvae feed on organic substrates that may vary in carotenoid composition according to their specific content. We hypothesized that the carotenoid composition in the adult house fly's body would reflect the carotenoid composition in the larval feed. House fly larvae were reared on diets that differed in carotenoid composition. HPLC analysis of the emerging adult flies indicate that the carotenoid composition of adult house flies is related, but not identical, to the carotenoid composition in its natal substrate. These findings may be developed to help identify potential sources of house fly infestations. Also, it is recommended that rearing substrates of house fly larvae, used for animal feed, should be carefully considered.

9-cis beta-carotene-enriched diet significantly improved cognition and decreased Alzheimer's disease neuropathology and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease-like mouse models.

A significant progressive decline in beta-carotene (ßC) levels in the brain is associated with cognitive impairment and a higher prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we investigated whether the administration of 9-cis beta-carotene (9CBC)-rich powder of the alga Dunaliella bardawil, the best-known source of ßC in nature, inhibits the development of AD-like neuropathology and cognitive deficits. We demonstrated that in 3 AD mouse models, Tg2576, 5xFAD, and apoE4, 9CBC treatment improved long- and short-term memory, decreased neuroinflammation, and reduced the prevalence of ß-amyloid plaques and tau hyperphosphorylation. These findings suggest that 9CBC has the potential to be an effective preventive and symptomatic AD therapy.

ß-Carotene from the Alga Dunaliella bardawil Decreases Gene Expression of Adipose Tissue Macrophage Recruitment Markers and Plasma Lipid Concentrations in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet.

Vitamin A and provitamin A carotenoids are involved in the regulation of adipose tissue metabolism and inflammation. We examined the effect of dietary supplementation using all-trans and 9-cis ß-carotene-rich Dunaliella bardawil alga as the sole source of vitamin A on obesity-associated comorbidities and adipose tissue dysfunction in a diet-induced obesity mouse model. Three-week-old male mice (C57BL/6) were randomly allocated into two groups and fed a high-fat, vitamin A-deficient diet supplemented with either vitamin A (HFD) or ß-carotene (BC) (HFD-BC). Vitamin A levels in the liver, WATs, and BAT of the HFD-BC group were 1.5-2.4-fold higher than of the HFD group. BC concentrations were 5-6-fold greater in BAT compared to WAT in the HFD-BC group. The eWAT mRNA levels of the Mcp-1 and Cd68 were 1.6- and 2.1-fold lower, respectively, and the plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were 30% and 28% lower in the HFD-BC group compared with the HFD group. Dietary BC can be the exclusive vitamin A source in mice fed a high-fat diet, as shown by the vitamin A concentration in the plasma and tissues. Feeding BC rather than vitamin A reduces adipose tissue macrophage recruitment markers and plasma lipid concentrations.

Blood fatty acid analysis reveals similar n-3 fatty acid composition in non-pregnant and pregnant women and their neonates in an Israeli pilot study.

Maternal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is required during pregnancy to supply for normal fetal growth and development. This pilot study aimed to assess the unknown fatty acid (FA) composition in a cohort of non-pregnant and pregnant Israeli women at term and their offspring on a normal diet without n-3 FA supplementation. The fatty acid profile, analyzed using gas chromatography, showed significantly higher plasma monounsaturated (MUFA) and lower n-6 FA percent distribution with similar n-3 index, in pregnant compared to non-pregnant women. RBC exhibited significantly higher MUFA with similar n-3 index, in pregnant compared to non-pregnant women. N-3 FA significantly correlated between neonates' plasma, with higher n-3 index, and pregnant women's DHA. Conclusion: DHA levels in non-pregnant and pregnant Israeli women at term were comparable and the DHA in pregnant women's plasma positively correlated with their neonate's level, suggesting an efficient mother-fetus FA transfer and/or fetal fatty acid metabolism to longer FA products.

Dietary ß-Carotene Rescues Vitamin A Deficiency and Inhibits Atherogenesis in Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice.

Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a major health problem, especially in developing countries. In this study, we investigated the effect of VAD from weaning to adulthood in apoE-/- mice. Three-week-old male mice were allocated into four diet groups: I. VAD II. VAD+vitamin A (VA), 1500 IU retinyl-palmitate; III. VAD+ß-carotene (BC), 6 g/kg feed, containing 50% all-trans and 50% 9-cis BC. IV. VAD with BC and VA (BC+VA). After 13 weeks, we assessed the size of atherosclerotic plaques and measured VA in tissues and BC in plasma and tissues. VAD resulted in diminished hepatic VA levels and undetectable brain VA levels compared to the other groups. BC completely replenished VA levels in the liver, and BC+VA led to a two-fold elevation of hepatic VA accumulation. In adipose tissue, mice fed BC+VA accumulated only 13% BC compared to mice fed BC alone. Atherosclerotic lesion area of BC group was 73% lower compared to VAD group (p < 0.05). These results suggest that BC can be a sole source for VA and inhibits atherogenesis.

Addition of fish oil to atherogenic high fat diet inhibited atherogenesis while olive oil did not, in LDL receptor KO mice.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mediterranean diet has been associated with decreased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Both fish and olive oil are key components of this diet. Therefore, we compared their effects on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and atherogenesis in a mouse model, fed a high fat diet. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty nine, female LDL receptor knockout (LDLR KO) mice were allocated into 3 groups and fed an atherogenic high fat (HF) diet for 9 weeks. The HF group was fed a high fat diet alone. A HF + OO group was fed a HF diet with added olive oil (60 ml/kg feed), and the third group (HF + FO) was fed a HF diet with added fish oil (60 ml/kg feed). Both additions of fish and olive oil, significantly decreased plasma cholesterol elevation compared to HF diet. Nevertheless, only fish oil addition reduced significantly atherosclerotic lesion area by 51% compared to HF group. Liver levels of eicosapentenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids were several folds higher in HF + FO group than in HF and HF + OO groups. Liver levels of oleic acid were higher in HF + OO compared to the other groups. Moreover, Fish oil addition significantly decreased NAFLD scores related to steatosis and inflammation and lowered the expression of the inflammatory genes interleukin 6 (IL6) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that fish oil addition on top of an atherogenic, HF diet, is beneficial, while olive oil is not, in its effect on plaque formation and NAFLD in LDLR KO mice.

Obesity and Insulin Resistance Are Inversely Associated with Serum and Adipose Tissue Carotenoid Concentrations in Adults.

BACKGROUND: Low tissue concentrations of carotenoids have been suggested to contribute to insulin resistance in obesity. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to 1) evaluate the relations of adipose tissue and serum carotenoids with body fat, abdominal fat distribution, muscle, adipose tissue and liver insulin resistance, and dietary intake; 2) evaluate the relations and distributions of carotenoids detected in adipose tissue and serum; and 3) compare serum carotenoids and retinol concentrations in subjects with and without obesity. METHODS: Post hoc analysis of serum and adipose tissue carotenoids in individuals [n = 80; 31 men, 49 women; age (mean ± SEM): 51.4 ± 1.1 y] who participated in 2 separate studies conducted at the Clinical Research Facility at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research (Sydney) between 2008 and 2013. Retinol, α-carotene, ß-carotene, ζ-carotene, lutein, lycopene, phytoene, and phytofluene were measured using HPLC. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Insulin resistance was measured by 2-step hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps with deuterated glucose (n = 64), and subcutaneous and visceral abdominal volume and liver and pancreatic fat by MRI (n = 60). Periumbilical subcutaneous fat biopsy was performed and carotenoids and retinol measured in the tissue (n = 16). RESULTS: We found that ζ-carotene, phytoene, and phytofluene were stored in considerable amounts in adipose tissue (25% of adipose tissue carotenoids). Carotenoid concentrations in adipose tissue and serum correlated significantly, but they followed different distributions: ζ-carotene was 3-fold higher in adipose tissue compared with serum, while lutein and lycopene made up 20% and 21% of serum carotenoids compared with 2% and 12% of adipose tissue carotenoids, respectively. Liver (P ≤ 0.028) and adipose tissue (P = 0.023), but not muscle (P ≥ 0.16), insulin resistance correlated inversely with many of the serum carotenoids. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple serum and adipose tissue carotenoids are associated with favorable metabolic traits, including insulin sensitivity in liver and adipose tissue in humans.

Interleukin-1α deficiency reduces adiposity, glucose intolerance and hepatic de-novo lipogenesis in diet-induced obese mice.

Objective: While extensive research revealed that interleukin (IL)-1ß contributes to insulin resistance (IR) development, the role of IL-1α in obesity and IR was scarcely studied. Using control, whole body IL-1α knockout (KO) or myeloid-cell-specific IL-1α-deficient mice, we tested the hypothesis that IL-1α deficiency would protect against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and its metabolic consequences. Research design and methods: To induce obesity and IR, control and IL-1α KO mice were given either chow or HFD for 16 weeks. Glucose tolerance test was performed at 10 and 15 weeks, representing early and progressive stages of glucose intolerance, respectively. Liver and epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) samples were analyzed for general morphology and adipocyte size. Plasma levels of adiponectin, insulin, total cholesterol and triglyceride (TG), lipoprotein profile as well as hepatic lipids were analyzed. Expression of lipid and inflammation-related genes in liver and eWAT was analyzed. Primary mouse hepatocytes isolated from control mice were treated either with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (control) or 20 ng/mL recombinant IL-1α for 24 hours and subjected to gene expression analysis. Results: Although total body weight gain was similar, IL-1α KO mice showed reduced adiposity and were completely protected from HFD-induced glucose intolerance. In addition, plasma total cholesterol and TG levels were lower and HFD-induced accumulation of liver TGs was completely inhibited in IL-1α KO compared with control mice. Expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase1 (SCD1), fatty acid synthase (FASN), elongation of long-chain fatty acids family member 6 (ELOVL6), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), key enzymes that promote de-novo lipogenesis, was lower in livers of IL-1α KO mice. Treatment with recombinant IL-1α elevated the expression of ELOVL6 and FASN in mouse primary hepatocytes. Finally, mice with myeloid-cell-specific deletion of IL-1α did not show reduced adiposity and improved glucose tolerance. Conclusions: We demonstrate a novel role of IL-1α in promoting adiposity, obesity-induced glucose intolerance and liver TG accumulation and suggest that IL-1α blockade could be used for treatment of obesity and its metabolic consequences.

9-cis ß-Carotene Increased Cholesterol Efflux to HDL in Macrophages.

Cholesterol efflux from macrophages is a key process in reverse cholesterol transport and, therefore, might inhibit atherogenesis. 9-cis-ß-carotene (9-cis-ßc) is a precursor for 9-cis-retinoic-acid (9-cis-RA), which regulates macrophage cholesterol efflux. Our objective was to assess whether 9-cis-ßc increases macrophage cholesterol efflux and induces the expression of cholesterol transporters. Enrichment of a mouse diet with ßc from the alga Dunaliella led to ßc accumulation in peritoneal macrophages. 9-cis-ßc increased the mRNA levels of CYP26B1, an enzyme that regulates RA cellular levels, indicating the formation of RA from ßc in RAW264.7 macrophages. Furthermore, 9-cis-ßc, as well as all-trans-ßc, significantly increased cholesterol efflux to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) by 50% in RAW264.7 macrophages. Likewise, food fortification with 9-cis-ßc augmented cholesterol efflux from macrophages ex vivo. 9-cis-ßc increased both the mRNA and protein levels of ABCA1 and apolipoprotein E (APOE) and the mRNA level of ABCG1. Our study shows, for the first time, that 9-cis-ßc from the diet accumulates in peritoneal macrophages and increases cholesterol efflux to HDL. These effects might be ascribed to transcriptional induction of ABCA1, ABCG1, and APOE. These results highlight the beneficial effect of ßc in inhibition of atherosclerosis by improving cholesterol efflux from macrophages.

Lens epithelial cell growth on the anterior optic of 2 hydrophobic intraocular lens models.

PURPOSE: To evaluate lens epithelial cell (LEC) proliferation on the anterior optic of 2 types of hydrophobic intraocular lenses (IOLs). SETTING: Harlan Biotech Israel and Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: Ten New Zealand white rabbits had crystalline lens removal and implantation of an Acrysof IOL in 1 eye (Group 1) and a Tecnis IOL in the fellow eye (Group 2). A weekly biomicroscopy examination was performed during the 2-week study duration, after which the rabbits were humanely killed. The eyes were enucleated, and the complexes containing the IOL and the capsular bag were evaluated for the presence of LECs and large cells (macrophages and giant cells) on the IOL anterior optic and for proteinaceous matrix deposits along the capsulorhexis margin. RESULTS: Lens epithelial cell were detected on all of the IOLs in Group 1 and on none in Group 2 (P < .001). Areas of proteinaceous matrix deposits adjacent to the edge of the capsulorhexis were detected on 8 IOLs in Group 1 and on none in Group 2 (P < .001). Large cells were identified on all IOLs in Group 1 and on 9 IOLs in Group 2 (P = 1.0). No difference in the general inflammation markers was found between the 2 IOL types (P = .234). CONCLUSIONS: Lens epithelial cell with corresponding proteinaceous matrix deposits were significantly more abundant on the IOLs in Group 1 than on the IOLs in Group 2. There was no difference in the presence of large cells or in general inflammation markers between the 2 IOL types. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Vitamin A-deficient diet accelerated atherogenesis in apolipoprotein E(-/-) mice and dietary ß-carotene prevents this consequence.

Vitamin A is involved in regulation of glucose concentrations, lipid metabolism, and inflammation, which are major risk factors for atherogenesis. However, the effect of vitamin A deficiency on atherogenesis has not been investigated. Therefore, the objective of the current study was to examine whether vitamin A deficiency accelerates atherogenesis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (apoE(-/-)). ApoE(-/-) mice were allocated into the following groups: control, fed vitamin A-containing chow diet; BC, fed chow diet fortified with Dunaliella powder containing ßc isomers; VAD, fed vitamin A-deficient diet; and VAD-BC group, fed vitamin A-deficient diet fortified with a Dunaliella powder. Following 15 weeks of treatment, liver retinol concentration had decreased significantly in the VAD group to about 30% that of control group. Vitamin A-deficient diet significantly increased both plasma cholesterol concentrations and the atherosclerotic lesion area at the aortic sinus (+61%) compared to the control group. Dietary ßc fortification inhibited the elevation in plasma cholesterol and retarded atherogenesis in mice fed the vitamin A-deficient diet. The results imply that dietary vitamin A deficiency should be examined as a risk factor for atherosclerosis and that dietary ßc, as a sole source of retinoids, can compensate for vitamin A deficiency.

The inhibition of macrophage foam cell formation by 9-cis ß-carotene is driven by BCMO1 activity.

Atherosclerosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in developed societies, and begins when activated endothelial cells recruit monocytes and T-cells from the bloodstream into the arterial wall. Macrophages that accumulate cholesterol and other fatty materials are transformed into foam cells. Several epidemiological studies have demonstrated that a diet rich in carotenoids is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease; while previous work in our laboratory has shown that the 9-cis ß-carotene rich alga Dunaliella inhibits atherogenesis in mice. The effect of 9-cis ß-carotene on macrophage foam cell formation has not yet been investigated. In the present work, we sought to study whether the 9-cis ß-carotene isomer, isolated from the alga Dunaliella, can inhibit macrophage foam cell formation upon its conversion to retinoids. The 9-cis ß-carotene and Dunaliella lipid extract inhibited foam cell formation in the RAW264.7 cell line, similar to 9-cis retinoic acid. Furthermore, dietary enrichment with the algal powder in mice resulted in carotenoid accumulation in the peritoneal macrophages and in the inhibition of foam cell formation ex-vivo and in-vivo. We also found that the ß-carotene cleavage enzyme ß-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase (BCMO1) is expressed and active in macrophages. Finally, 9-cis ß-carotene, as well as the Dunaliella extract, activated the nuclear receptor RXR in hepa1-6 cells. These results indicate that dietary carotenoids, such as 9-cis ß-carotene, accumulate in macrophages and can be locally cleaved by endogenous BCMO1 to form 9-cis retinoic acid and other retinoids. Subsequently, these retinoids activate the nuclear receptor RXR that, along with additional nuclear receptors, can affect various metabolic pathways, including those involved in foam cell formation and atherosclerosis.

L1CAM is expressed in triple-negative breast cancers and is inversely correlated with androgen receptor.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease displaying distinct molecular features and clinical outcome. The molecular profile of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) overlaps with that of basal-like breast cancers that in turn show similarities with high-grade serous ovarian and endometrial carcinoma. L1CAM is an established biomarker for the latter cancers and we showed before that approximately 18% of primary breast cancers are positive for L1CAM and have a bad prognosis. Here we analysed the expression of L1CAM breast cancer subtypes. METHODS: We analyzed mRNA and protein expression data from different breast cancer cohorts for L1CAM, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, Her-2 and Androgen receptor (AR) and correlated the data. We performed Western blot analysis on tumor cell lysates and carried out chromatin-immuno-precipitation (CHIP) after AR overexpression. RESULTS: We find that L1CAM is expressed preferentially though not exclusively in TNBCs. Using the human cancer genome atlas database and two independent breast cancer cohorts we find that L1CAM is inversely correlated with androgen receptor (AR) expression. We found that L1CAM(high)AR(low) primary breast tumors have the worst clinical outcome. Overexpression of AR in MDA-MB436 breast cancer cells decreased L1CAM expression at the protein and mRNA level and CHIP-analysis revealed binding of AR to the L1CAM promoter region. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that L1CAM in breast cancer is under AR control. The data also strongly advocate the use of L1CAM assessment in breast cancer diagnosis. We suggest that L1CAM expression could be causally related to the bad prognosis of TNBCs.

A standardized staining protocol for L1CAM on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues using automated platforms.

The L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) is overexpressed in many human cancers and can serve as a biomarker for prognosis in most of these cancers (including type I endometrial carcinomas). Here we provide an optimized immunohistochemical staining procedure for a widely used automated platform (VENTANA™), which has recourse to commercially available primary antibody and detection reagents. In parallel, we optimized the staining on a semi-automated BioGenix (i6000) immunostainer. These protocols yield good stainings and should represent the basis for a reliable and standardized immunohistochemical detection of L1CAM in a variety of malignancies in different laboratories.

Prevention of atherosclerosis progression by 9-cis-ß-carotene rich alga Dunaliella in apoE-deficient mice.

INTRODUCTION: ß-Carotene-rich diet has been shown to be inversely associated with the risk of coronary heart disease. However, clinical trials using synthetic all-trans-ß-carotene failed to demonstrate a beneficial effect. We therefore sought to study the effect of natural source of ß-carotene, the alga Dunaliella, containing both all-trans and 9-cis-ß-carotene on atherosclerosis. In a previous study we showed that 9-cis-ß-carotene-rich powder of the alga Dunaliella inhibits early atherogenesis in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice. AIMS: The aims of the current work were to study whether diet enriched with Dunaliella powder would inhibit the progression of established atherosclerosis in old male apoE-deficient mice and to compare the effect of Dunaliella on lipid profile and atherosclerosis in a low-versus high-fat diet fed mice. METHODS: In the first experiment, young mice (12 weeks old) were allocated into 3 groups: (1) low-fat diet; (2) low-fat diet + Dunaliella powder (8%); (3) low-fat diet + ß-carotene-deficient Dunaliella. In the second experiment, old mice (7 months old) with established atherosclerotic lesions were allocated into 4 groups: (1) low-fat diet; (2) low-fat diet + Dunaliella; (3) high fat-diet; (4) high-fat diet + Dunaliella. RESULTS: In young mice fed a low-fat diet, a trend toward lower atherosclerotic lesion area in the aortic sinus was found in the Dunaliella group compared with the control group. In old mice with established atherosclerotic lesion, Dunaliella inhibited significantly plasma cholesterol elevation and atherosclerosis progression in mice fed a high-fat diet. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that a diet containing natural carotenoids, rich in 9-cis-ß-carotene, has the potential to inhibit atherosclerosis progression, particularly in high-fat diet regime.

Treatment with 9-cis ß-carotene-rich powder in patients with retinitis pigmentosa: a randomized crossover trial.

IMPORTANCE: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the leading cause of incurable inherited blindness in the developed world, with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 3500 individuals. Therefore, it is important to develop new treatments for this disease. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of oral treatment with 9-cis ß-carotene on visual function of patients with RP. DESIGN: Randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial. SETTING: University tertiary medical facility. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-four patients with RP who were at least 18 years of age. Twenty-nine patients completed the study and were included in the analysis. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were treated daily for 90 days with capsules containing 300 mg of 9-cis ß-carotene-ich alga Dunaliella bardawil (ß-carotene, approximately 20 mg) or placebo (starch). Following a 90-day washout period, they were treated for 90 days with the other capsules. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcomewas the change for both eyes from baseline to the end of each treatment in dark-adapted maximal electroretinographic b-wave amplitude. The secondary outcomes were the changes in light-adapted maximal b-wave amplitude, dark- and light-adapted visual field, and best-corrected visual acuity. RESULTS: The mean change in dark-adapted maximal b-wave amplitude relative to initial baseline was +8.4 µV for 9-cis ß-carotene vs −.9 µV for placebo (P = .001). Ten participants (34.5%) had an increase of more than 10 µV for both eyes (range, 11-42 µV) after 9-cis ß-carotene treatment compared with no participants after placebo treatment. The percentage change in light-adapted b-wave response was +17.8%for 9-cis ß-carotene vs −.0% for placebo (P = .01). No significant differences were found between the groups for visual field and best-corrected visual acuity. No adverse effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Treatment with 9-cis ß-carotene significantly increased retinal function in patients with RP under the tested conditions. The optimal therapeutic regimen will be determined in future, larger clinical trials. 9-cis ß-Carotene may represent a new therapeutic approach for some patients with RP. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01256697.

9-cis-rich ß-carotene powder of the alga Dunaliella reduces the severity of chronic plaque psoriasis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Synthetic retinoids are one of the mainstay treatments of psoriasis. However, their use is occasionally limited by adverse effects, especially mucocutaneous, hepatic, and lipid profile toxicity. Thus, a search for retinoid metabolites that are both safe and active is essential. The alga Dunaliella bardawil is a natural source of the retinoid precursor 9-cis ß-carotene that has a good adverse effect profile. OBJECTIVE: To test the effect of the alga Dunaliella bardawil on psoriasis. METHODS: Thirty-four adult patients with mild, chronic, plaque-type psoriasis were included in this monocentric, prospective, randomized, double-blinded pilot study. Patients received either capsules of the alga D. bardawil or starch powder capsules, as the placebo, for 12 weeks. The response to treatment was evaluated by changes in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) scores. Safety of the treatment was evaluated. RESULTS: At the end of 6 weeks, the reduction in the mean PASI score was significantly higher in the Dunaliella group than in the placebo group (61.3% vs 34%, respectively, p = 0.002). The DLQI change did not reach significance (8.5% and 5.9% in the Dunaliella and in the control group, respectively, p = 0.9). We observed no significant change in the liver function tests or in the lipid profile. CONCLUSIONS: 9-cis ß-carotene, in the form of D. bardawil, is an effective and safe treatment for patients with mild, chronic, plaque-type psoriasis. A larger study is warranted.

A 9-cis beta-carotene-enriched diet inhibits atherogenesis and fatty liver formation in LDL receptor knockout mice.

Our aim was to study the effect of 9-cis beta-carotene-rich powder of the alga Dunaliella bardawil on lipid profile, atherogenesis, and liver steatosis in high-fat diet-fed LDL receptor knockout mice. In 4 sets of experiments, mice were distributed into the following groups: control, fed an unfortified diet; Dunaliella 50, fed a diet composed of 50% 9-cis and 50% all-trans beta-carotene; Dunaliella 25, fed a diet containing 25% 9-cis and 75% all-trans beta-carotene; beta-carotene-deficient Dunaliella, fed beta-carotene-deficient Dunaliella powder; and all-trans beta-carotene, fed a synthetic all-trans beta-carotene. All fortified diets contained 0.6% total beta-carotene. Algal 9-cis beta-carotene was absorbed by the mice and accumulated in the liver. Synthetic all-trans beta-carotene was not converted to 9-cis beta-carotene. Dunaliella 50 inhibited high-fat diet-induced plasma cholesterol elevation by 40-63% and reduced cholesterol concentrations in the atherogenic VLDL and LDL. Atherosclerotic lesion area in mice treated with Dunaliella 50 was 60-83% lower compared with mice fed the high-fat diet alone. beta-Carotene-deficient Dunaliella did not influence plasma cholesterol and atherogenesis, suggesting that beta-carotene is essential for a Dunaliella protective effect. Moreover, by administrating Dunaliella powder containing different levels of 9-cis and all-trans beta-carotene isomers, we found that the effect on plasma cholesterol concentration and atherogenesis is 9-cis-dependent. Dunaliella 50 also inhibited fat accumulation and inflammation in the livers of mice fed a high-fat diet, which was accompanied by reduced mRNA levels of inflammatory genes. These results in mice suggest that 9-cis beta-carotene may have the potential to inhibit atherogenesis in humans.

A carotenoid algal preparation containing phytoene and phytofluene inhibited LDL oxidation in vitro.

The antioxidative effect of the carotenoids phytoene and phytofluene in biological systems has not yet been studied. We therefore sought to investigate the effect of these carotenoids, isolated from the alga Dunaliella bardawil, in a biological system and used the in vitro low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation method to assay their antioxidative effects. We found that similar to beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol, a carotenoid algal preparation containing phytoene and phytofluene inhibited LDL oxidation. These findings and the presence of phytoene and phytofluene in human tissues suggest that they can be part of the defense system against oxidative stress.