title: [The role of antioxidants in the prevention of tumors].
abstract: The potential role of antioxidant vitamins (ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol), minerals (selenium) and non-vitamin natural antioxidants (e.g. glutathione) in the prevention of cancer diseases is reviewed. Free oxygen radicals, especially the hydroxyl radical .OH modify nitrogen bases, split DNA, stimulate oncogene activators and probably in many other ways participate in carcinogenesis. In a great number of experimental and epidemiological studies a significant increase of cancer risk in laboratory animals and in humans with low antioxidant status was found. Significant protective effects of ascorbic acid, beta-carotene, alpha-tocopherol and selenium against the incidence of gastrointestinal and lung cancer were achieved in most, but not in all prospective and intervention studies. It is probable that extremely high premature cancer mortality in postcommunist countries of Central and East Europe is caused by high consumption of cigarettes, spirits and saturated fats, by pollution, and by very low consumption of the chief sources of natural antioxidants (fruits, vegetables). (Fig. 13, Ref. 29).
authors.affiliation: Ustav preventívnej a klinickej medicíny, Bratislave, Slovakia.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ginter
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants