Safety evaluation of synthetic beta-carotene.
Crit Rev Toxicol
; 29(6): 515-42, 1999 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-10628775
ABSTRACT
The safety of beta-carotene was reassessed by evaluating the relevant literature on the beneficial and adverse effects of beta-carotene on cancer and, in particular, by evaluating the results of toxicity studies. Beta-carotene appeared neither genotoxic nor reprotoxic or teratogenic, and no signs of organ toxicity have been found in subacute, subchronic, or chronic oral toxicity studies in experimental animals receiving doses of up to 1000 mg/day beta-carotene per kg body weight via the diet. Synthetic beta-carotene did not exert any carcinogenic effect in Sprague-Dawley rats or in CD1 mice. An enhanced risk of lung cancer was found in two human intervention studies. Although dose and (timing of) exposure, smoking status, and imbalance of antioxidant defense have been recognized as potential factors accounting for the outcome of these studies, a conclusive explanation has not yet been found. It is concluded that exposure to beta-carotene resulting in mean plasma concentrations of no more than 2.2 micromol/l (1.2 microg/ml) is safe to the general population. By contrast, in heavy smokers higher plasma concentrations may be associated with a higher lung cancer risk.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Beta Caroteno
/
Neoplasias Pulmonares
/
Antioxidantes
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Crit Rev Toxicol
Assunto da revista:
TOXICOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
1999
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Holanda