Objective: To study the interaction of beta-carotene on lipid peroxidation induced by the smoke of cigarette.
Methods: Rat type II pneumocytes were isolated, cultured and then exposed to particles extracted from cigarette smoke and/or beta-carotene for 24 h. Malondialdehyde (MDA) in the cells was measured by TBA method. On the other hand, serum MDA of mice given beta-carotene supplements and/or exposed to cigarette smoke for 10 days was measured.
Results: The particles extracted from cigarette smoke increased the content of MDA in the rate type II pneumocytes, and the lipid peroxidation was antagonized by adding 0.5 microgram/ml of beta-carotene to the cells simultaneously. The results from the in vivo study showed that serum MDA levels were increased in the cigarette smoke-treated groups, and the lipid peroxidation was reduced by treating mice with 2.5 mg per kg body weight of beta-carotene.
Conclusion: beta-carotene had an antagonistic effect on lipid peroxidation induced by cigarette smoke. The effective dosage of beta-carotene was 0.5 microgram/ml for rat pneumocytes and 2.5 mg/kg BW weight for mice.