The DOI matches its Crossref record; 31 of the 31 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Natural killer cell activity in elderly men is enhanced by beta-carotene supplementation
Open accessAbstract
Natural killer (NK) cell activity has been postulated to be an immunologic link between beta-carotene and cancer prevention. In a cross-sectional, placebo-controlled, double-blind study we examined the effect of 10-12 y of beta-carotene supplementation (50 mg on alternate days) on NK cell activity in 59 (38 middle-aged men, 51-64 y; 21 elderly men, 65-86 y) Boston area participants in the Physicians' Health Study. No significant difference was seen in NK cell activity due to beta-carotene supplementation in the middle-aged group. The elderly men had significantly lower NK cell activity than the middle-aged men; however, there was no age-associated difference in NK cell activity in men supplemented with beta-carotene. beta-carotene-supplemented elderly men had significantly greater NK cell activity than elderly men receiving placebo. The reason for this is unknown; however, it was not due to an increase in the percentage of NK cells, nor to an increase in interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor expression, nor to IL-2 production. beta-carotene may be acting directly on one or more of the lytic stages of NK cell cytotoxicity, or on NK cell activity-enhancing cytokines other than IL-2, such as IL-12. Our results show that long-term beta-carotene supplementation enhances NK cell activity in elderly men, which may be beneficial for viral and tumoral surveillance.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“long-term β-carotene supplementation increased NK cell activity in older adults (139, 140).”
From Immunosenescence and Its Hallmarks: How to Oppose Aging Strategically? A Review of Potential Options for Therapeutic Intervention (2019) · cites this paper as [140]
In the citing paper
“Enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity was observed in participants treated with oral β-carotene”
From Immunosenescence and Its Hallmarks: How to Oppose Aging Strategically? A Review of Potential Options for Therapeutic Intervention (2019) · cites this paper as [140]
Citations
Cites
T Cell Growth Factor: Parameters of Production and a Quantitative Microassay for Activity
Gillis, S. A., Ferm, M. M., Ou, W., & Smith, K. A. (1978) · The Journal of Immunology · doi:10.4049/jimmunol.120.6.2027 · Cited by 3,273
Robust tests for equality of variances
Levene, H. (1961) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 3,271
Final Report on the Aspirin Component of the Ongoing Physicians' Health Study
Steering Committee of the Physicians' Health Study Research Group (1989) · New England Journal of Medicine · doi:10.1056/nejm198907203210301 · Cited by 2,267
Contributions to Probability and Statistics.
Buckland, W. R., Hotelling, H., & Olkin, I. (1962) · Biometrika · doi:10.2307/2333504 · Cited by 1,745
Pross, H. F., Baines, M. G., Rubin, P., Shragge, P. C., & Patterson, M. S. (1981) · Journal of Clinical Immunology · doi:10.1007/bf00915477 · Cited by 691
Vitamin E supplementation enhances cell-mediated immunity in healthy elderly subjects
Meydani, S. N., Barklund, M., Liu, S., Meydani, M., Miller, R. A., Cannon, J., Morrow, F. D., Rocklin, R. E., & Blumberg, J. B. (1990) · American Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1093/ajcn/52.3.557 · Cited by 585
Self-citationA Review of Epidemiologic Evidence that Carotenoids Reduce the Risk of Cancer
Ziegler, R. G. (1989) · Journal of Nutrition · doi:10.1093/jn/119.1.116 · Cited by 552
Sansoni, P., Cossarizza, A., Brianti, V., Fagnoni, F. F., Snelli, G., Monti, D., Marcato, A., Passeri, G., Ortolani, C., & Forti, E. (1993) · Blood · doi:10.1182/blood.v82.9.2767.2767 · Cited by 457
Meydani, S. N., Lichtenstein, A. H., Cornwall, S., Meydani, M., Goldin, B. R., Rasmussen, H., Dinarello, C. A., & Schaefer, E. J. (1993) · Journal of Clinical Investigation · doi:10.1172/jci116537 · Cited by 357
Self-citationA new immunodeficiency disorder in humans involving NK cells
Roder, J., Haliotis, T. P., Klein, M., Korec, S., Jett, J. R., Ortaldo, J. R., Heberman, R. B., Katz, P., & Fauci, A. S. (1980) · Nature · doi:10.1038/284553a0 · Cited by 277
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Bender, 1987, Natural killer cells in senescence: analysis of phenotypes and function., Rev Biol Res Aging, 3, 129
- Meydani, 1995, Effect of β-carotene (β-C) on the immune response of elderly women., FASEB J, 9
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 101–163 of 163
Fat Soluble Vitamins and Immune System: An Overview
Riccioni, G., D’Orazio, N., Menna, V., & LORENZO, A. D. (2003) · European Journal of Inflammation · doi:10.1177/1721727x0300100202 · Cited by 14
Gariballa, S., Afandi, B. O., Haltem, M., Yasin, J., & Alessa, A. (2013) · Nutrients · doi:10.3390/nu5030711 · Cited by 14
Heuser, M. D., & Adler, W. H. (1997) · Clinics in Geriatric Medicine · doi:10.1016/s0749-0690(18)30145-9 · Cited by 14
Xu, H., Jiang, H., Yang, W., Song, F., Yan, S., Wang, C., Fu, W., Li, H., Lyu, C., Gan, Y., et al. (2019) · British Journal Of Nutrition · doi:10.1017/s0007114519001107 · Cited by 13
Estimation of serum beta carotene levels in patients with oral submucous fibrosis in India
Aggarwal, A., Shetti, A., Keluskar, V. K., & Bagewadi, A. (2011) · Journal of Oral Science · doi:10.2334/josnusd.53.427 · Cited by 12
Cancer Immunoprevention and Public Health
Singh, S. K., & Dorak, M. T. (2017) · Frontiers in Public Health · doi:10.3389/fpubh.2017.00101 · Cited by 13
Christen, W. G., Buring, J. E., Manson, J. E., & Hennekens, C. H. (1999) · Current Opinion in Lipidology · doi:10.1097/00041433-199902000-00006 · Cited by 12
Self-citationŌyanagui, Y. (1997) · Inflammation · doi:10.1023/a:1027390307366 · Cited by 12
The Role of Nutrition in Immunity of the Aged
Walrand, S., Vasson, M., & Lesourd, B. (2003) · doi:10.1002/9780470774595.ch11 · Cited by 12
Nutrition and the Aging Immune Response
Adolfsson, O., & Meydani, S. N. (2002) · KARGER eBooks · doi:10.1159/000061860 · Cited by 11
Self-citationHealth Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables
Wise, J. A. (2000) · Modern nutrition · doi:10.1201/9781420042542.ch11 · Cited by 10
Effects of cooking methods on carotenoids content of Omani kingfish (Scomeberomorus commersonL.)
Opara, U. L., & Al-Ani, M. R. (2010) · British Food Journal · doi:10.1108/00070701011067433 · Cited by 10
Heintz, K. A., Boileau, T. W.-M., Deming, D. M., Atkinson, C., & Erdman, J. W. (2001) · CRC Press eBooks · doi:10.1201/9780203904046.pt4 · Cited by 8
Nutrition and Immunity in the Elderly
Bogden, J. D., & Louria, D. B. (2004) · Humana Press eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-59259-652-2_5 · Cited by 8
Micronutrients and Immunity in Older People
Bogden, J. D., & Louria, D. B. (2009) · Humana Press eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-60327-542-2_22 · Cited by 8
ROLE OF ANTIOXIDANTS IN PREVENTION OF CANCER : A REVIEW
Khan, M., Iqubal, M. A., Joshi, A., & Ajai, K. (2014) · International Journal of Current Research and Review · Cited by 7
Dinutuximab in the Treatment of High-Risk Neuroblastoma in Children
Gür, H., Özen, F., Saylan, C. C., & Atasever-Arslan, B. (2017) · Clinical Medicine Insights Therapeutics · doi:10.1177/1179559x17719106 · Cited by 7
Biomarkers and Their Use in Nutrition Intervention
Cross, A. J., Lampe, J. W., & Rock, C. L. (2012) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-391884-0.00012-3 · Cited by 7
Fruits and Vegetables and the Prevention of Oxidative DNA Damage
O'Neill, K. L., Standage, S. W., Hughes, B. G., & Murray, B. K. (2000) · Modern nutrition · doi:10.1201/9781420042542.ch10 · Cited by 7
Carotenoids and Immune Responses
Hughes, D. (2004) · Oxidative stress and disease · doi:10.1201/9780203026649.ch23 · Cited by 7
Wang, Y., Wang, J., Zhao, Y., Liu, P., Cai, D., Zhang, X. L., & Gao, L. (2022) · Human & Experimental Toxicology · doi:10.1177/09603271211072871 · Cited by 6
Nutracêuticos imunomoduladores com potencial uso clínico para cães e gatos
Zaine, L., Monti, M., Vasconcellos, R. S., & Carciofí, A. C. (2014) · Semina Ciências Agrárias · doi:10.5433/1679-0359.2014v35n4suplp2513 · Cited by 6
Hayek, M. G., Massimino, S., & Ceddia, M. A. (2004) · Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice · doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2003.09.002 · Cited by 5
Hajare, S. T. (2021) · Journal of Immunoassay and Immunochemistry · doi:10.1080/15321819.2021.1895217 · Cited by 5
Vitamin A: Benefits and Consequences of Its Deficiency on Health
Alouache, A. (2025) · Biochemistry · doi:10.5772/intechopen.1010232 · Cited by 3
EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, N. A. A. (. (2009) · EFSA Journal · doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2009.1231 · Cited by 3
Hughes, D. A. (2004) · Humana Press eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-59259-652-2_9 · Cited by 3
High, K. P. (2009) · Humana Press eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-60327-534-7_28 · Cited by 3
Meydani, S. N., & Santos, M. S. (2000) · Humana Press eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-59259-709-3_33 · Cited by 3
Self-citationSharifi, L. (2019) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-16073-9_13 · Cited by 2
Los carotenoides dietéticos en el organismo animal
Brenes‐Soto, A. (2014) · Americanae (AECID Library) · Cited by 2
Biomarkers and Biological Indicators of Change
Lampe, J. W., & Rock, C. L. (2001) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-012193155-1/50012-x · Cited by 2
The Role of Diet and Nutritional Supplements
Pigozzi, F., Giombini, A., FAGNANI, F., & Parisi, A. (2007) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-141602443-9.50006-4 · Cited by 2
Karabacak, A. Ö., & Çopur, Ö. U. (2020) · GIDA / THE JOURNAL OF FOOD · doi:10.15237/gida.gd20090 · Cited by 2
Szymanowski, A. (2015) · Linköping University medical dissertations · doi:10.3384/diss.diva-121122 · Cited by 2
Nutraceuticals and Immune Restoration in the Elderly
Ritz, B. W., & Gardner, E. M. (2009) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-9063-9_75 · Cited by 2
Dietary factors that affect carotenoid bioavailability
Hof, K. H. V. H. (1999) · doi:10.18174/196585 · Cited by 2
Blumberg, J. B., & Hughes, D. A. (2001) · Forum of nutrition/Bibliotheca Nutritio et dieta · doi:10.1159/000059466 · Cited by 2
Micronutrients and Immunity in Older People
Bogden, J. D., & Louria, D. B. (2005) · Humana Press eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-59259-880-9_22 · Cited by 2
Islas-Weinstein, L., & Maldonado-García, J. L. (2021) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-818731-9.00132-4 · Cited by 2
Modificación de la respuesta inmune en los ancianos con tratamientos nutricionales
Álvarez-Fernández, B., Ordoñez, M. A., Trigo, J. A. L., Carmona, J. M. M., Huelgas, R. G., & Fernández, C. J. (2002) · Anales de Medicina Interna · doi:10.4321/s0212-71992002000800009 · Cited by 1
Youssef, M. K., El-Tellawy, F. M., El-Melegy, N. T. H., & Mohamed, M. (2010) · Journal of Food and Dairy Sciences · doi:10.21608/jfds.2010.82082 · Cited by 1
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry in the Study of Vitamins and Mineral Metabolism in Humans
Clifford, A. J., Burri, B. J., & de Moura, F. F. (2007) · CRC Press eBooks · doi:10.1201/9781420005806.ch17 · Cited by 1
Cross, A. J., Lampe, J. W., Rock, C. L., & Boushey, C. J. (2017) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-802928-2.00011-4 · Cited by 1
Micronutrients and Immunity in Older People
Bogden, J. D., & Louria, D. B. (2015) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-319-22431-2_28 · Cited by 1
Metabolic engineering of functional phytochemicals
Kabir, M. U., Karim, R., Son, R., Azizah, A. H., & Saari, N. (2013) · Universiti Putra Malaysia Institutional Repository (Universiti Putra Malaysia) · Cited by 1
Pigmented Potato Consumption Improves Immune Response in Men: a Randomized Controlled Trial
Kaspar, K. L., Park, J., Brown, C., Mathison, B. D., Navarre, D. A., & Chew, B. P. (2013) · American journal of advanced food science and technology · doi:10.7726/ajafst.2013.1002 · Cited by 1
EFFECTS OF LIFEPAK ® SUPPLEMENTATION ON ANTIOXIDANT STATUS AND LDL- OXIDATION IN HEALTHY NON-SMOKERS
Smidt, C. R., SEIDEHAMEL, R. J., Devaraj, S., & Jialal, I. (2004) · Cited by 1
Argüelles, M. C. (2005) · UA Campus Repository (The University of Arizona) · Cited by 1
High, K. P. (2001) · Humana Press eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-59259-026-1_24 · Cited by 1
Effect of antioxidant hormones and nutrients on immune function in relation to aging
Inserra, P. F. (1998) · UA Campus Repository (The University of Arizona)
Rao, S. J., & Bhaskarachary, K. (2014) · Indian Journal of Community Health (Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine)
Antioxidant Supplementation in the Elderly and Leukocytes
Simar, D., & Caillaud, C. (2014) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-405933-7.00026-3
Neuroimmunomodulation, Stress–Nutrition Interactions and Diet
Marín, J. R., Wärnberǵ, J., Nova, E., Gómez-Martínez, S., Díaz, L. E., Veses, A. M., & Marcos, A. (2010) · Humana Press eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-60761-061-8_5
Gomes, G. M., Ramos, D. D. S., Jacob, J. C. F., Crespilho, A. M., Côrtes, P. P. D. R., Gomes, L. P. D. M., & Cardoso, C. E. (2016) · Revista de Saúde · doi:10.21727/rs.v5i1/2.67
Puertollano, E., & Puertollano, M. A. (2014) · CRC Press eBooks · doi:10.1201/b17311-6
(1998) · Proceedings of The Nutrition Society · doi:10.1079/pns19980024
Micronutrients and Immunity in Older People
Bogden, J. D., & Louria, D. B. (2001) · Humana Press eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-59259-236-4_13
Lone, S., Narayan, S., Masoodi, K. Z., Malik, M., Khan, F. A., Alwutayd, K. M., Vlădulescu, C., Do, M. C., & Hussain, K. (2025) · Plant Biotechnology Reports · doi:10.1007/s11816-025-00998-6
Faulks (2000) · doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-0010(20000515)80:7
Metadata
- Authors
- Santos, M., Meydani, S., Leka, L., Wu, D., Fotouhi, N., Meydani, M., Hennekens, C., & Gaziano, J.
- Affiliations
- Tufts University (US)
- ORCID
- Wu, D
- Venue
- The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 1996-11
- Volume
- 64
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 772-777
- ISSN
- 0002-9165 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1867192595
- Cited by
- 163
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2025: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 3.56
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institutes of Health (2t32ag000209-06)
- National Institute on Aging (T32 AG 00209)
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL-34595, HL 26490, R01HL034595)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Immune Cell Function and Interaction
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry (medical) › Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology (medical) › Exercise and Physiological Responses
- Keywords
- natural killer cells, beta-carotene supplementation, older men, age-related immune decline, NK cell cytotoxicity, interleukin-2 receptor, interleukin-2, IL-12, cancer prevention, viral surveillance, long-term supplementation
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Double-Blind Method, Food, Fortified, Humans, Immunity, Innate, Interleukin-2, Killer Cells, Natural, Male, Middle Aged, Prospective Studies, Receptors, Interleukin-2, beta Carotene
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review