(PTFS02-03-24) Association of Candidate Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Genotypes With Plasma and Skin Carotenoid Concentrations in Adults Provided a Lycopene-Rich Vegetable Juice

Objectives: Carotenoids are fat-soluble, dietary phytochemicals with biological roles, including UV protective functions in skin. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in carotenoid metabolic genes are associated with human plasma carotenoid concentrations, however, their relationship with skin carotenoid concentrations is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between 13 candidate SNPs with skin and plasma carotenoid concentrations before and after a carotenoid-rich tomato juice intervention.

Methods: In this randomized, controlled trial, participants (n=80) were provided with a lycopene-rich tomato-based vegetable juice providing low (13.1 mg), medium (23.9 mg), and high (31.0 mg) total carotenoid doses for 8-weeks. Plasma carotenoid concentrations were measured by HPLC and skin carotenoid score was assessed by reflection spectroscopy (Veggie Meter ™) at baseline and end of study. Thirteen candidate SNPs in 5 genes associated with carotenoid metabolism (BCO1, CD36, SCARB1, SETD7 and ABCA1) were genotyped from blood samples using PCR-based TaqMan assays. Multiple linear regression models tested the effects of the intervention, baseline plasma and skin carotenoids, and SNP genotypes on end-of-study carotenoid concentrations in plasma and skin, respectively. Mixed models tested the effects of the intervention, visit, the interaction between intervention and visit, and SNP genotype on skin and plasma carotenoids. Baseline carotenoid intake, BMI, sex, and age were included as covariates in all models.

Results: Genotypes for BCO1 rs7500996 (p=0.0446) and CD36 rs1527479 (p=0.0049) were significantly associated with skin carotenoid concentrations. BCO1 rs12934922 (p=0.0427) and CD36 rs1527479 (p=0.0335) genotypes were significantly associated with skin carotenoid concentrations at baseline. BCO1 rs4889286 (p=0.0061) and BCO1 rs4889293 (p=0.0482) were significantly associated with plasma lutein & zeaxanthin concentrations.

Conclusions: The novel associations between SNPs and skin carotenoid concentrations expand upon the understanding of how genetic variation affects inter-individual variation in carotenoid biodistribution in humans.

Funding Sources: This work was supported by the US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service #3062-51000-057-000D (SLC) and 3092-51000-061-02S.