Preoperative levels of plasma micronutrients are related to endometrial cancer risk.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relation between the plasma concentration of antioxidant micronutrients and endometrial cancer risk in Korean women.


METHODS
Hospital-based case-control study.


METHODS
Seven tertiary medical institutes in Korea.


METHODS
Incidence of 28 endometrial cancer cases were identified and 140 age-matched controls selected for the same period.


METHODS
Preoperative plasma concentrations of beta-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin plus lutein, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and gamma-tocopherol were measured by reverse-phase, gradient high-pressure liquid chromatography. Conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate micronutrient effect after adjustment for body mass index (BMI), menopause, parity, oral contraceptive use, smoking status, and alcohol consumption status.


METHODS
Effect of micronutrients on endometrial cancer risk.


RESULTS
The mean concentration of plasma beta-carotene (p=0.001), lycopene (p=0.008), zeaxanthin plus lutein (p=0.031), retinol (p=0.048), and gamma-tocopherol (p=0.046) were significantly lower in endometrial cancer patients than in controls. Plasma levels of beta-carotene (p for trend=0.0007) and lycopene (p for trend=0.007) were inversely associated with endometrial cancer risk across tertiles. Women in the highest tertile of plasma beta-carotene and lycopene had a 0.12-fold (95% confidence intervals (CIs) 0.03-0.48) and 0.15-fold (95% CIs 0.04-0.61) decreased risk of endometrial cancer compared to women in the lowest tertile, respectively. Other micronutrients such as zeaxanthin plus lutein (p for trend=0.142), retinol (p for trend=0.108), alpha-tocopherol (p for trend=0.322), and gamma-tocopherol (p for trend=0.087) showed no association with endometrial cancer risk.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma levels of beta-carotene and lycopene are inversely associated with the risk of endometrial cancer in Korean women.
Jeong
Nan-Hee
NH
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyung Hee University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Song
Eun-Seop
ES
Lee
Jong-Min
JM
Lee
Kwang-Beom
KB
Kim
Mi-Kyung
MK
Yun
Young-Mi
YM
Lee
Jae-Kwan
JK
Son
Sung-Kyong
SK
Lee
Jung-Pil
JP
Kim
Jae-Hoon
JH
Hur
Soo-Young
SY
Kwon
Yong-Il
YI
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000097:blood*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004522:Educational Status; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D000077276:Lycopene; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood*
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D018977:Micronutrients; D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids; D000077276:Lycopene