Review: absorption and metabolism of beta-carotene.
- 1 August 1994
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of the American College of Nutrition
- Vol. 13 (4) , 314-325
- https://doi.org/10.1080/07315724.1994.10718416
Abstract
To better understand the potential function of beta-carotene (beta-C) in the prevention of cancer, greater knowledge of beta-C metabolism and a suitable animal model to mimic human beta-C metabolism are necessary. The small intestinal mucosa contains beta-C cleavage enzyme(s), thereby playing an important role in both the provitamin A activity and anti-cancer properties of beta-C. The ability of the ferret (Mustela putorius furo) to absorb intact beta-C makes it an appropriate model for studying human beta-C absorption. This article reviews the absorption and cleavage mechanisms of beta-C in both the human and the ferret. The biosynthesis of retinoic acid (RA) from beta-C via central and eccentric cleavage pathways is reviewed. The possible significance of the conversion of beta-C to RA as an anticancer mechanism is discussed.Keywords
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