Carotenoids have shown an interindividual variability that may be due to genetic factors.
The only study that has reported heritability of serum α- and β-carotene has not considered the
environmental component. This study aimed to estimate the contribution of both genetic and
common environmental effects to the variance of carotenoid concentrations and to test whether
their phenotypic correlations with cardiometabolic risk factors are explained by shared genetic and
environmental effects. Plasma carotenoid concentrations (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin,
lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin, and total carotenoids) of 48 healthy subjects were measured. Heritability
estimates of carotenoid concentrations were calculated using the variance component method.
Lutein and lycopene showed a significant familial effect (p = 6 × 10−6 and 0.0043, respectively).
Maximal heritability, genetic heritability, and common environmental effect were computed for
lutein (88.3%, 43.8%, and 44.5%, respectively) and lycopene (45.2%, 0%, and 45.2%, respectively).
Significant phenotypic correlations between carotenoid concentrations and cardiometabolic risk
factors were obtained for β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, and zeaxanthin. Familial resemblances in
lycopene concentrations were mainly attributable to common environmental effects, while for lutein
concentrations they were attributable to genetic and common environmental effects. Common genetic
and environmental factors may influence carotenoids and cardiometabolic risk factors, but further
studies are needed to better understand the potential impact on disease development
