Relationship of serum antioxidant micronutrients and sociodemographic factors to cervical neoplasia: a case-control study.
BACKGROUND
Although there have been some epidemiological studies on the effects of diet and nutritional status on cervical carcinogenesis, evidence for a protective effect of antioxidant micronutrients against cervical neoplasia is insufficient. The relationship between serum antioxidant micronutrients and sociodemographic factors and the risk of cervical neoplasia was investigated in this multi-center, case-control study.


METHODS
The study population included women with histopathological diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 1 (n=147), CIN 2/3 (n=177), cervical cancer (n=160), and a control group (n=378). Epidemiological data were collected and the serum concentrations of beta-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin plus lutein, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and gamma-tocopherol were measured using reverse-phase, gradient high-pressure liquid chromatography.


RESULTS
Cervical cancer was found to be associated with older age, increased body mass index, and lower socioeconomic status as measured by education level and income. The mean serum concentrations of beta-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin plus lutein, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and gamma-tocopherol of cervical cancer patients were significantly lower than those of control subjects. Odds ratio adjusted for age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and human papillomavirus infection status revealed a significant gradient of decreasing risk of CIN 1, CIN 2/3, and cervical cancer with increasing serum concentrations of most antioxidant micronutrients.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study show an inverse association between serum antioxidant micronutrient concentrations and the risk of cervical neoplasia. These results suggest that antioxidant micronutrients play a role in the prevention of cervical carcinogenesis.
Cho
Hanbyoul
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Mi Kyung
MK
Lee
Jae Kwan
JK
Son
Sung Kyong
SK
Lee
Kwang-Beom
KB
Lee
Jong-Min
JM
Lee
Jung Pil
JP
Hur
Soo Young
SY
Kim
Jae-Hoon
JH
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D018977:Micronutrients