Plasma (carotenoids, retinol, alpha-tocopherol) and tissue (carotenoids) levels after supplementation with beta-carotene in subjects with precancerous and cancerous lesions of sigmoid colon.
OBJECTIVE
(1) To compare tissue and plasma carotenoids status of healthy subjects and subjects with pre-cancer and cancer lesions; (2) to evaluate the effect of beta-carotene supplementation on the concentrations of other carotenoids in tissue (luteine + zeaxanthin, cryptoxanthin, lycopene, alpha-carotene) and in plasma and also retinol and alpha-tocopherol levels.


METHODS
Eighteen subjects were divided into three groups on the basis of colonoscopy and histological analytical findings: four healthy subjects (control group A); seven subjects affected by adenomatous polyps (group B with pre-cancer lesions); seven subjects suffering from colonic cancer (group C). Blood and colonic biopsy samples were taken (of colon and rectal mucosa) before and after beta-carotene supplementation in all subjects. Groups A and B received a daily dose of beta-carotene (30 mg/die) for 43 d. Group C's supplementation was terminated at the time which was performed, usually within 15 d. The tissue and plasma concentration of carotenoids, retinol and alpha-tocopherol were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography.


RESULTS
The tissue concentrations of each carotenoid were similar in all the intestinal sites examined as regards groups A and B, although there was a high degree of intra individual variability within each group. Only beta-carotene made significant increases (P < 0.001) after supplementation. The subjects with cancer show tissue levels for each carotenoid lower than those of healthy subjects or subjects with polypous. The plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol did not change after supplementation while significant increases were noted of retinol, alpha-carotene (P < 0.01) and of beta-carotene (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The patients with colonic cancer seemed to undergo a significant reduction in their antioxidant reserves with respect to the normal subjects and or polyps. We can confirm that oral B-carotene supplementation induces also an increase in plasma alpha-carotene in all groups.
Pappalardo
G
G
Institute of II Clinica Chirurgica University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
Maiani
G
G
Mobarhan
S
S
Guadalaxara
A
A
Azzini
E
E
Raguzzini
A
A
Salucci
M
M
Serafini
M
M
Trifero
M
M
Illomei
G
G
Ferro-Luzzi
A
A
D011125:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism
D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids