Carotenoids in human buccal mucosa cells after 4 wk of supplementation with tomato juice or lycopene supplements

Abstract

Background: Lycopene has been identified as a phytochemical with potentially protective health benefits. Objective: Our objective was to monitor lycopene changes in buccal mucosa cells (BMCs) in response to 3 vehicles for oral delivery of lycopene. Design: Fifteen healthy subjects ingested lycopene-rich tomato juice, tomato oleoresin, lycopene beadlets (each containing 70-75 mg lycopene) and a placebo for 4 wk each in a randomized crossover design while consuming self-selected diets. A 6-wk washout period separated the treatment periods. BMCs were collected at baseline and after 4 wk of supplementation. Results: Lycopene in BMCs increased significantly (≃2-fold) after 4 wk of ingestion of oleoresin and of beadlets to 4.95 (P < 0.001) and 3.75 μg/g protein (P = 0.053), respectively, but was not significantly affected by tomato juice treatment. The placebo treatment produced a significant decrease in BMC lycopene concentrations (P = 0.018). We observed significant treatment differences between oleoresin and tomato juice, oleoresin and placebo, and beadlets and placebo. BMC concentrations of phytofluene and β-carotene, which were present in small amounts in the lycopene-containing treatments, increased significantly with ingestion of these products. Strong correlations were found between plasma and BMC concentrations of lutein, β-cryptoxanthin, α- carotene, and β-carotene. In contrast, correlations between lycopene concentrations in plasma and in BMCs were weak and not significant for any treatment. Conclusions: The cellular content of lycopene and other tomato- related carotenoids with proposed beneficial health effects can be increased through prolonged supplementation.