The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials investigating the effects of carotenoids on selected inflammatory parameters. PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of science were searched from inception until April 2021. The random-effect model was used to analyze data and the overall effect size was computed as weighted mean difference (WMD) and corresponding 95% of confidence interval (CI). A total of 26 trials with 35 effect sizes were included in this meta-analysis. The results indicated significant effects of carotenoids on C-reactive protein (CRP) (WMD: ‒0.54 mg/L, 95% CI: ‒0.71, ‒0.37, P < 0.001), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (WMD: ‒0.54 pg/mL, 95% CI: ‒1.01, ‒0.06, P = 0.025), however the effect on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) was not significant (WMD: ‒0.97 pg/ml, 95% CI: ‒1.98, 0.03, P = 0.0.059). For the individual carotenoids, astaxanthin, (WMD: ‒0.30 mg/L, 95% CI: ‒0.51, ‒0.09, P = 0.005), lutein/zeaxanthin (WMD: ‒0.30 mg/L, 95% CI: ‒0.45, ‒0.15, P < 0.001), and β-cryptoxanthin (WMD: ‒0.35 mg/L, 95% CI: ‒0.54, ‒0.15, P < 0.001) significantly decreased CRP level. Also, only lycopene (WMD: ‒1.08 pg/ml, 95%CI: ‒2.03, ‒0.12, P = 0.027) led to a significant decrease in IL-6. The overall results supported possible protective effects of carotenoids on inflammatory biomarkers.
Keywords: CRP; Carotenoids; IL-6; TNF-α; inflammatory biomarkers.