Safety evaluation of synthetic β-carotene
article
The safety of β-carotene was reassessed by evaluating the relevant literature on the beneficial and adverse effects of β-carotene on cancer and, in particular, by evaluating the results of toxicity studies. β- Carotene appeared neither genotoxic nor reprotoxic or teratogenic, and no signs of organ toxicity have been found in subacute, subchronic, or chronic oral toxicity studies in experimental animals receiving doses of up to 1000 mg/day β-carotene per kg body weight via the diet. Synthetic β-carotene did not exert any carcinogenic effect in Sprague-Dawley rats or in CD1 mice. An enhanced risk of lung cancer was found in two human intervention studies. Although dose and (timing of) exposure, smoking status, and imbalance of antioxidant defense have been recognized as potential factors accounting for the outcome of these studies, a conclusive explanation has not yet been found. It is concluded that exposure to β-carotene resulting in mean plasma concentrations of no more than 2.2 μmol/l (1.2 μg/ml) is safe to the general population. By contrast, in heavy smokers higher plasma concentrations may be associated with a higher lung cancer risk.
Topics
AbsorptionCancer preventionDistributionLung cancerToxicityBeta caroteneCancer riskCarcinogenicityChronic toxicityDrug absorptionDrug distributionDrug safetyDrug transportGenotoxicityHumanNonhumanReproductive toxicityReviewToxicity testingAbsorptionAnimalsAntioxidantsbeta CaroteneCell Transformation, NeoplasticChemopreventionDrug InteractionsHumansIntervention StudiesLung NeoplasmsMiceRatsRats, Sprague-DawleySkin NeoplasmsSmokingAnimalia
TNO Identifier
235349
ISSN
10408444
Source
Critical Reviews in Toxicology, 29(6), pp. 515-542.
Pages
515-542
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