Circulating levels of retinol, tocopherol and carotenoid in Nepali pregnant and postpartum women following long-term β-carotene and vitamin A supplementation

• Published in: European journal of clinical nutrition 2001-04, Vol.55 (4), p.252-259
• Main Authors: YAMINI, S, WEST, K. P, WU, L, DREYFUSS, M. L, YANG, D.-X, KHATRY, S. K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; beta Carotene - administration & dosage; Biological and medical sciences; Blindness; Carotene; Carotenoids; Carotenoids - blood; Charities; Clinical nutrition; Dietary Supplements; Female; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Human nutrition; Humans; Lutein; Lycopene; Management. Prenatal diagnosis; Medical sciences; Nepal; Nutrient interactions; Nutrition; Placebos; Population studies; Postpartum; Postpartum Period - blood; Pregnancy; Pregnancy - blood; Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta; Properties; Public health; Retinene; Rural Population; Tocopherol; Tropical medicine; Vitamin A; Vitamin A - administration & dosage; Vitamin A - blood; Vitamin E; Vitamin E - blood; Vitamin metabolism; Women; Womens health; Zeaxanthin; β-Carotene
• ISSN: 0954-3007; 1476-5640
• DOI: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601152

To characterize circulating carotenoid and tocopherol levels in Nepali women during pregnancy and post-partum and to determine the effects of beta-carotene and vitamin A supplementation on their concentration in serum. Randomized community supplementation trial. The study was carried out from 1994 to 1997 in the Southern, rural plains District of Sarlahi, Nepal. A total of 1431 married women had an ascertained pregnancy, of whom 1186 (83%) provided an analyzable serum sample during pregnancy; 1098 (77%) provided an analyzable 3-4 months post-partum serum sample. Women received a weekly dose of vitamin A (7000 microg RE), beta-carotene (42 mg) or placebo before, during and after pregnancy. Serum was analyzed for retinol, alpha-tocopherol, gamma-tocopherol, beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, lycopene, lutein + zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin concentrations during mid-pregnancy and at approximately 3 months post-partum. Compared to placebo, serum retinol, beta-carotene, gamma-tocopherol, beta-cryptoxanthin and lutein + zeaxanthin concentrations were higher among beta-carotene recipients during pregnancy and, except for beta-cryptoxanthin, at postpartum. In the vitamin A group, serum retinol and beta-cryptoxanthin were higher during pregnancy, and retinol and gamma-tocopherol higher at postpartum. Lutein + zeaxanthin was the dominant carotenoid, regardless of treatment group, followed by serum beta-carotene. Serum lycopene level was lowest, and very low compared to the US population. Serum retinol was higher, and carotenoid and alpha-tocopherol lower, at postpartum than during pregnancy in all groups. Pregnant and lactating Nepali women have lower serum carotenoid and tocopherol levels than well-nourished populations. beta-carotene supplementation appeared to increase levels of tocopherol and other carotenoids in this population.