Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Clinical Trial
. 1992 Oct;56(4):684-90.
doi: 10.1093/ajcn/56.4.684.

Effect of beta-carotene supplementation on photosuppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity in normal young men

Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Effect of beta-carotene supplementation on photosuppression of delayed-type hypersensitivity in normal young men

C J Fuller et al. Am J Clin Nutr. 1992 Oct.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine whether beta-carotene protects against the immunosuppression seen with long-wave ultraviolet-light (UV-A) exposure. Free-living, healthy men, aged 19-39 y received 30 mg beta-carotene/d or a placebo while on a single-menu, low-carotenoid diet. After 28 d all subjects received 12 exposures to a UV-A/B light source over a 16-d period. The total UV-A dose received ranged from 15.9 to 19.3 J/cm2. The total shorter-wave ultraviolet-light (UV-B) dose varied from 1.59 to 1.96 J/cm2. Follow-up continued for 21 d. Carotenoid assays and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) tests were performed at baseline, pre-UV, post-UV, and after follow-up. The DTH-test responses were significantly suppressed in the placebo group after UV treatments. The suppression was inversely related to plasma beta-carotene concentrations in this group. There was no significant suppression of DTH test responses in the beta-carotene group. It is concluded that beta-carotene protects against photosuppression of immune function.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

Cited by

Publication types