Volume 87, Issue 5, May (2002), pp. 471-475 © The Author 2002
doi:10.1079/BJN2002566

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β-Carotene and α-tocopherol concentration and antioxidant status in buccal mucosal cells and plasma after oral supplementation

Jürgen G. Erhardt^*, Heidrun Mack, Ulrike Sobeck and Hans K. Biesalski
Institute of Biological Chemistry and Nutrition, University of Hohenheim, Fruwirthstrasse 12, 70599 Stuttgart, Germany

 (Received 22 August 2001–Revised 7 January 2002–Accepted 15 January 2002)

The uptake of α-tocopherol and β-carotene and their antioxidative effect in plasma and buccal mucosal cells after oral application in twelve subjects is demonstrated in our study. The effect on the antioxidative status was evaluated using a modified thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) method. As expected, the supplement of 134·2 mg α-tocopherol/d and 25 mg β-carotene/d for 7 d resulted in a significant increase of α-tocopherol and β-carotene concentration in plasma (P<0·05). In buccal mucosal cells, the concentration of β-carotene increased after supplementation (P<0·05), whereas the concentration of α-tocopherol remained constant. A decrease in TBARS (P<0·05) was found in buccal mucosal cells but not in plasma. In conclusion, an uptake of the supplemented antioxidants was detected in plasma and in buccal mucosal cells. There was significant change in β-carotene concentration and oxidative stress as measured using a modified TBARS test in buccal mucosal cells, but not in the plasma.

Keywords:
Buccal mucosal cells: Supplementation: α-Tocopherol: β-Carotene: Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances