PLASMA-LEVELS OF BETA-CAROTENE, LYCOPENE, CANTHAXANTHIN, RETINOL, ANDALPHA-TOCOPHEROL AND TAU-TOCOPHEROL IN CERVICAL INTRAEPITHELIAL NEOPLASIA AND CANCER

Epidemiological studies continue to identify an association of dietary antioxidant micronutrients in cancer prevention, A number of case-con trol and cohort studies have demonstrated a relationship between high intake of foods rich in carotenoids, tocopherols, and vitamin C with a reduced risk of certain human malignancies, The purpose of this study was to investigate the comparative plasma levels of a profile of know n dietary antioxidants, namely, beta-carotene, lycopene, canthaxanthin , retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and tau-tocopherol. The target population was women with a histopathological diagnosis of cervical intraepithel ial neoplasia (CIN) or cervical cancer and a control group. All women resided in the same catchment area (Bronx Borough, New York City) and were of similar inner-city socioeconomic backgrounds representing a fa irly homogenous population group. A cross-sectional sample of 235 wome n was recruited with informed consent. Plasma nutrient levels were mea sured by reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography under study codes, The mean plasma levels of carotenoids (beta-carotene, lycopene , and canthaxanthin), as well as alpha-tocopherol, were significantly lower in women with CIN and cervical cancer. In contrast, the mean pla sma level of tau-tocopherol was higher among patients with CIN, while the mean plasma level of retinol was comparable among the groups. Ther e were significant linear trends for all three carotenoids and quadrat ic trends for alpha- and tau-tocopherol with the degree of cervical hi stopathology. Plasma beta-carotene concentrations in cigarette smokers were significantly lower regardless of cervical pathology, whereas pl asma lycopene and canthaxanthin levels were significantly lower in smo kers with CIN. The findings of a decrease in all plasma antioxidant nu trient levels except tau-tocopherol in women with CIN and cancer sugge st a potential role for antioxidant deficiency in the pathogenesis of CIN and carcinoma of the cervix, which requires further investigation.