Changes in Plasma and Oral Mucosal Lycopene Isomer Concentrations in Healthy Adults Consuming Standard Servings of Processed Tomato Products

The consumption of tomato products is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and several cancers. It is hypothesized that lycopene, the major carotenoid in tomato products, may mediate this relationship. We designed a study to examine changes in plasma and buccal mucosal cell (BMC) lycopene concentrations in healthy adults consuming standard daily servings of processed tomato products: spaghetti sauce, tomato soup, or vegetable juice. Thirty-six healthy subjects consumed a lycopene-free diet for 2 wk and were then assigned to one of three (n = 12) intervention groups consuming daily, single servings of sauce (21 mg lycopene per ½ cup), soup (12 mg lycopene per 1 cup), or juice (17 mg lycopene per 8 oz) for 4 wk. Fasting blood and BMC samples were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis for carotenoids and lycopene isomers. Total plasma lycopene concentrations (Mean ± SEM) decreased from 1.05 ± 0.07 to 0.54 ± 0.05 mmol/l (49%, P < 0.0001) during the 2-wk washout perio...