Serum alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol in relation to prostate cancer risk in a prospective study.
The Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention (ATBC) Study demonstrated a 32% reduction in prostate cancer incidence in response to daily alpha-tocopherol supplementation. We examined baseline serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol to compare their respective associations with prostate cancer risk. From the ATBC Study cohort of 29 133 Finnish men, 50-69 years old, we randomly selected 100 incident prostate cancer case patients and matched 200 control subjects. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated for the serum tocopherols (measured by high-performance liquid chromatography) using logistic regression models. All P values were two-sided. Odds ratios for the highest versus the lowest tertiles were 0.49 (95% CI = 0.24 to 1.01, P(trend) = .05) for alpha-tocopherol and 0.57 (95% CI = 0.31 to 1.06, P(trend) = .08) for gamma-tocopherol. Further analyses indicated that the association of high serum tocopherols with low prostate cancer risk was stronger in the alpha-tocopherol-supplemented group than in those not receiving alpha-tocopherol. Participants with higher circulating concentrations of the major vitamin E fractions, alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol, had similarly lower prostate cancer risk.
Weinstein
Stephanie J
SJ
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, NIH, DHHS, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Wright
Margaret E
ME
Pietinen
Pirjo
P
King
Irena
I
Tan
Carly
C
Taylor
Philip R
PR
Virtamo
Jarmo
J
Albanes
Demetrius
D
D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood*; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood*
D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E; D024504:gamma-Tocopherol; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol