Plasma response to oral beta-carotene in Guatemalan schoolchildren

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Abstract
The response to oral doses of β-carotene (0 mg, n= 10; 15 mg, n= 20; and 30 mg, n= 21) was studied in 51 Guatemalan children aged 8–15 y, with mean fasting plasma retinol concentrations of 1.72 ± 0.38 µmol/L. Beta-carotene was delivered with a chocolate drink containing 8.4 g fat. Serial blood sampling was performed at intervals up to 48 h. Circulating retinol concentrations remained relatively constant. The maximum increases in plasma β-carotene after the 30- and 15-mg doses for all subjects occurred at 24 h and were 0.29 and 0.23 µmol/L, respectively. Time of maximum increase for individuals varied and average maxima over the 48-h period for individuals were 0.13 and 0.26 µmol/L for the 15- and 30-mg-treatment groups, respectively. Increased plasma β-carotene concentrations were not predicted by recent intake of dietary vitamin A, fasting plasma concentrations, or anthropometric measurements.