Serum antioxidant vitamins and risk of lung and stomach cancers in Shenyang, China.
In a hospital-based case control study, we measured serum concentrations of vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin E for subjects with cancer (58 cases of lung cancer and 22 cases of stomach cancer) and 63 matched controls in Shenyang, China. Lung cancer patients had significantly (P < 0.01) lower mean serum levels of vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin E than controls, while the mean serum level of vitamin E did not differ between stomach cancer patients and the controls. Lower serum levels of vitamin A, vitamin E and beta-carotene were associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. Lower serum levels of vitamin A and beta-carotene were associated with a higher risk of stomach cancer, although the number of cases was small. An increased risk of lung cancer associated with lower serum levels of vitamin A and vitamin E was more evident among heavy smokers than among non-heavy smokers.
Department of Environmental Medicine, Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
Y
Y
Kumagai
J B
JB
Pi
S
S
Lee
G F
GF
Sun
T
T
Yamanushi
M
M
Sagai
N
N
Shimojo
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000097:blood; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E