Carotenoids in Health and Disease

Basic Carotenoid Chemistry. Carotenoids and Radicals: Interactions with other Nutrients. Noninvasive Assessment of Carotenoids in the Human eye and Skin. Methodology for Assessment of Carotenoid Levels in Blood and Plasma Fractions. Carotenoid Antioxidant Activity. Evidence for Por-Oxidant Effects of Carotenoids in vitro and in vivo: Implications in Health and Disease. Carotenoid Orientation: Role in Membrane Stabilization. The Anticancer Activity of Carotenoids from Human Studies to Cellular Processes and Gene Regulation. Induction of Cytochrome P450 Enzymes by Carotenoids. The Impact Processing on Content and Bioavailability of Carotenoids. Transport, Uptake and Target Tissue Storage of Carotenoids. Bioequivalence of Provitamin A. Carotenoids. Bioconversion of Provitamin A Carotenoids. Carotenoid Oxidative/Degradative Products and their Biological Activity. The Conversion of Carotenoids to Vitamin A. Enzymatic vs. Chemical Cleavage of Carotenoids. Relationship of Carotenoids to Cancer. The Role of Lycopene in Carcinogenesis. Carotenoids and Eye Disease. Mechanistic Evidence for Eye Diseases and Carotenoids. Heart and Vascular Diseases. Carotenoids in Systemic Protection Against Sunburn. Carotenoids and Immune Responses. Therapeutic Uses of Carotenoids in Skin Photosensitivity Diseases. Potential Toxic Effects in Smokers/Drinkers.