CA Redlich, JN Grauer, AM Van Bennekum, SL Clever, RB Ponn and WS Blaner
Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.

Increasing evidence suggests that beta-carotene, retinol (vitamin A), and alpha-tocopheral (vitamin E) may have important protective effects in the lung. However, surprisingly little is known about their storage and metabolism in human lung. Levels of beta-carotene, retinol, and alpha-tocopherol in human lung tissues and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells were determined with reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Fresh lung tissue, serum, and dietary questionnaires were obtained from 21 patients undergoing open lung surgery, and BAL cells from 12 of these patients. Dietary and serum levels of carotenoids, beta-carotene, retinol, and alpha-tocopherol were consistent with previously reported values. Lung tissue levels of total carotenoids, beta-carotene, retinol, and alpha-tocopherol were respectively 0.34 +/- 0.36 microg/g, 0.13 +/- 0.27 microg/g, 0.15 +/- 0.06 microg/g, and 9.60 +/- 4.86 microg/g tissue. Levels of these nutrients were also measured in BAL cells to establish potential markers for their lung tissue levels. Correlations between serum, BAL- cell, tissue, and dietary levels of the nutrients were determined. Lung tissue levels of total carotenoids, beta-carotene, and alpha- tocopherol, but not retinol, correlated well with their serum levels. Lung tissue levels of retinol and alpha-tocopherol correlated with their BAL-cell levels. These studies demonstrate quantifiable levels of retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and total carotenoids or beta-carotene in human lung tissue and BAL cells, and show that serum and/or BAL-cell levels of these nutrients can potentially be used to predict their lung tissue levels.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. W. Castellani, C. N. Nguyen, S. Charugundla, M. M. Weinstein, C. X. Doan, W. S. Blaner, N. Wongsiriroj, and A. J. Lusis Apolipoprotein AII Is a Regulator of Very Low Density Lipoprotein Metabolism and Insulin Resistance J. Biol. Chem., April 25, 2008; 283(17): 11633 - 11644. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A Guenegou, B Leynaert, I Pin, G Le Moel, M Zureik, and F Neukirch Serum carotenoids, vitamins A and E, and 8 year lung function decline in a general population. Thorax, April 1, 2006; 61(4): 320 - 326. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. L. Coles, D. Fraser, N. Givon-Lavi, D. Greenberg, R. Gorodischer, J. Bar-Ziv, and R. Dagan Nutritional Status and Diarrheal Illness as Independent Risk Factors for Alveolar Pneumonia Am. J. Epidemiol., November 15, 2005; 162(10): 999 - 1007. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Quadro, W. S. Blaner, L. Hamberger, P. M. Novikoff, S. Vogel, R. Piantedosi, M. E. Gottesman, and V. Colantuoni The role of extrahepatic retinol binding protein in the mobilization of retinoid stores J. Lipid Res., November 1, 2004; 45(11): 1975 - 1982. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. L. Toepfer-Berg, J. Escobar, W. G. Van Alstine, D. H. Baker, J. Salak-Johnson, and R. W. Johnson Vitamin E supplementation does not mitigate the acute morbidity effects of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in nursery pigs J Anim Sci, July 1, 2004; 82(7): 1942 - 1951. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Arab, S. Steck-Scott, and A. T. Fleishauer Lycopene and the Lung Experimental Biology and Medicine, November 1, 2002; 227(10): 894 - 899. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. L. Dixon, S. Shen, J. P. Vuchetich, E. Wysocka, G. Y. Sun, and M. Sturek Increased atherosclerosis in diabetic dyslipidemic swine: protection by atorvastatin involves decreased VLDL triglycerides but minimal effects on the lipoprotein profile J. Lipid Res., October 1, 2002; 43(10): 1618 - 1629. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Reifen, T. Nur, K. Ghebermeskel, G. Zaiger, R. Urizky, and M. Pines Vitamin A Deficiency Exacerbates Inflammation in a Rat Model of Colitis through Activation of Nuclear Factor-{kappa}B and Collagen Formation J. Nutr., September 1, 2002; 132(9): 2743 - 2747. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				H. J. SCHÜNEMANN, B. J. B. GRANT, J. L. FREUDENHEIM, P. MUTI, R. W. BROWNE, J. A. DRAKE, R. A. KLOCKE, and M. TREVISAN The Relation of Serum Levels of Antioxidant Vitamins C and E, Retinol and Carotenoids with Pulmonary Function in the General Population Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., April 1, 2001; 163(5): 1246 - 1255. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				M. V Gamble, R. Ramakrishnan, N. A Palafox, K. Briand, L. Berglund, and W. S Blaner Retinol binding protein as a surrogate measure for serum retinol: studies in vitamin A-deficient children from the Republic of the Marshall Islands Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, March 1, 2001; 73(3): 594 - 601. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. GRIEVINK, F. G. de WAART, E. G. SCHOUTEN, and F. J. KOK Serum Carotenoids, alpha -Tocopherol, and Lung Function among Dutch Elderly Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., March 1, 2000; 161(3): 790 - 795. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. A. Redlich, S. Rockwell, J. S. Chung, A. G. Sikora, M. Kelley, and S. T. Mayne Vitamin A Inhibits Radiation-Induced Pneumonitis in Rats J. Nutr., October 1, 1998; 128(10): 1661 - 1664. [Abstract] [Full Text]