Serum carotenoids and risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in Southwestern American Indian women

The objective of this research was to evaluate the association between seru m carotenoids and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) among Southweste rn American Indian women. Cases were American Indian women with biopsy-prov en CIN II/III cervical lesions (n = 81) diagnosed between November 1994 and October 1997. Controls were American Indian women from the same clinics wi th normal cervical epithelium (n = 160). All of the subjects underwent inte rviews and laboratory evaluations. Interviews evaluated demographic informa tion, sexual history, and cigarette smoking. Serum concentrations of alpha -carotene, beta -carotene, beta -cryptoxanthin, lycopene, and lutein/zeaxan thin were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. Cervical huma n papillomavirus infection was detected using a PCR-based test. Increasing levels of alpha -carotene, beta -cryptoxanthin, and lutein/zeaxanthin were associated with decreasing risk of CIN II/III. In addition, the highest ter tiles of beta -cryptoxanthin (odds ratio = 0.39, 95% confidence interval = 0.17-0.91) and lutein/zeaxanthin (odds ratio = 0.40, 95% confidence interva l = 0.17-0.95) were associated with the lowest risk of CIN. In conclusion, specially targeted intervention efforts to increase consumption of fruits a nd vegetables may protect Southwestern American Indian women from developin g CIN.