Changes in micronutrient concentrations following anti-inflammatory treatment in patients with gastrointestinal cancer

Circulating concentrations of vitamin antioxidants (retinol, alpha-tocopher ol, lutein, lycopene, alpha- and beta-carotene) and trace elements (zinc, c opper, iron and selenium) plus carrier proteins (albumin, transferrin, caer uloplasmin) in gastrointestinal cancer patients (n = 12) with an inflammato ry response (as demonstrated by an elevated C-reactive protein concentratio n) were compared with a control group (n = 12). Further, the effect of mode rating the inflammatory response, using the anti-inflammatory agent ibuprof en, on these measurements was examined in the cancer group. The control and cancer groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and body mass index. Howe ver, the cancer group had significantly higher C-reactive protein concentra tions (P < 0.001). Concentrations of vitamin antioxidants and trace element s (and carrier proteins) were significantly lower (P < 0.001), except coppe r (ceruloplasmin) which was significantly higher (P < 0.05). After anti-inf lammatory treatment, there were small but significant increases in lutein, lycopene, and beta-carotene (p < 0.05) and in iron and selenium (P < 0.05), whereas ceruloplasmin decreased (P < 0.05). The micronutrient concentratio ns in the cancer patients remained different from those in the control subj ects. These results support the concept that the magnitude of inflammation plays an important role in the regulation of circulating concentrations of vitamin antioxidants and trace elements in patients with gastrointestinal c ancer. Nutrition 2000;16:425-428. (C)Elsevier Science Inc. 2000.