Carotenoids and Their Interaction with the Immune System.

IF 6.6 2区 医学 Q1 BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Miguel Medina-García, Andrés Baeza-Morales, Pascual Martínez-Peinado, Sandra Pascual-García, Carolina Pujalte-Satorre, Rosa María Martínez-Espinosa, José Miguel Sempere-Ortells
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Abstract

Carotenoids are lipophilic pigments naturally occurring in plants and, to a lesser extent, in certain non-photosynthetic organisms. They play a critical role in human health due to their antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties. Key carotenoids such as β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin are capable of neutralizing reactive oxygen species, thereby mitigating oxidative stress-a major contributor to the onset and progression of chronic diseases. These compounds also modulate immune responses by influencing lymphocyte proliferation, enhancing natural killer cell activity, and regulating the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Such immunomodulatory effects are associated with a reduced risk of infectious diseases and have shown potential protective roles against inflammatory conditions, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders, and certain types of cancer. Moreover, diets rich in carotenoids are linked to improved immune status, particularly in vulnerable populations such as the elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Despite strong epidemiological evidence, clinical trials involving carotenoid supplementation have produced mixed results, indicating that their effectiveness may depend on the broader dietary context and interactions with other nutrients. In summary, carotenoids are important dietary compounds that contribute to immune regulation and the prevention of various diseases, although further clinical research is needed to determine optimal intake levels and assess their full therapeutic potential.

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类胡萝卜素及其与免疫系统的相互作用。
类胡萝卜素是天然存在于植物中的亲脂色素,在较小程度上也存在于某些非光合生物中。由于其抗氧化和免疫调节特性,它们在人体健康中起着至关重要的作用。关键的类胡萝卜素,如β-胡萝卜素、番茄红素、叶黄素和玉米黄质,能够中和活性氧,从而减轻氧化应激,这是慢性疾病发生和发展的主要因素。这些化合物还通过影响淋巴细胞增殖、增强自然杀伤细胞活性、调节促炎性和抗炎性细胞因子的产生来调节免疫反应。这种免疫调节作用与降低传染病的风险有关,并显示出对炎症、心血管和神经退行性疾病以及某些类型的癌症的潜在保护作用。此外,富含类胡萝卜素的饮食与改善免疫状态有关,特别是在老年人和免疫功能低下的个体等脆弱人群中。尽管有强有力的流行病学证据,但涉及类胡萝卜素补充剂的临床试验产生了不同的结果,表明其有效性可能取决于更广泛的饮食背景和与其他营养素的相互作用。总之,类胡萝卜素是重要的膳食化合物,有助于免疫调节和预防各种疾病,尽管需要进一步的临床研究来确定最佳摄入量并评估其全部治疗潜力。
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来源期刊
Antioxidants
Antioxidants Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology-Physiology
CiteScore
10.60
自引率
11.40%
发文量
2123
审稿时长
16.3 days
期刊介绍: Antioxidants (ISSN 2076-3921), provides an advanced forum for studies related to the science and technology of antioxidants. It publishes research papers, reviews and communications. Our aim is to encourage scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical results in as much detail as possible. There is no restriction on the length of the papers. The full experimental details must be provided so that the results can be reproduced. Electronic files and software regarding the full details of the calculation or experimental procedure, if unable to be published in a normal way, can be deposited as supplementary electronic material.
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