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Carotenoids, Retinol, and Intestinal Barrier Function in Children From Northeastern Brazil

2008; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; Volume: 47; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1097/mpg.0b013e31816bf4bf

1536-4801

Milena Morais Vieira, Jisun Paik, William S. Blaner, Alberto M. Soares, Rosa MS Mota, Richard L. Guerrant, Aldo Â. M. Lima,

Retinoids in leukemia and cellular processes

ABSTRACT Objectives: To investigate the association of carotenoids and retinol (vitamin A) with intestinal barrier function in children in an urban community in Fortaleza, northeastern Brazil. Methods: Descriptive analysis of serum carotenoids and retinol concentrations with intestinal barrier function in 102 children from an urban community, July 2000 to August 2001. Results: The weight for height z score (wasting) showed that 19.6% (20/102) had mild malnutrition (−1 to −2 z score). All of the children's serum retinol concentrations were determined and none were severely deficient (≤0.35 μmol/L), 2.9% (3/102) were moderately (0.36–0.70 μmol/L) deficient, 20.6% (21/102) were mildly (0.71–1.05 μmol/L) deficient; 76.5% (78/102) were vitamin A sufficient (>1.05 μmol/L). The lactulose:mannitol (L/M) ratio was elevated (≥0.0864) in 49% (47/97) of children when compared with healthy children with normal L/M ratio (<0.0864) in the same geographic area. Serum carotenoids, lutein, β‐cryptoxanthin and β‐carotene showed significant inverse correlations with the L/M ratio, but not lutein after adjusting for age. Acute phase proteins (C‐reactive protein and α‐acid glycoprotein) were significantly inversely correlated with retinol but not with carotenoids. Retinol and retinol‐binding protein were not significantly associated with L/M ratio. Conclusions: These data suggest a disruption of intestinal barrier function in the paracellular pathway with low serum concentrations of carotenoids. Carotenoids may provide a better marker for disrupted intestinal barrier function than retinol‐binding protein or retinol.