title: The effect of β-carotene on lumbar osteophyte formation.
abstract: METHODS
  Cross-sectional cohort study of elderly people.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The relationships of osteophyte formation on plain lumbar radiographs with serum levels of antioxidants (carotenoids, vitamin A, vitamin E) and other factors were investigated to examine whether antioxidants are involved in lumbar spine degeneration.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Antioxidants have inhibitory effects on the onset of many diseases. However, the association of lumbar osteophyte formation with antioxidant levels in the general population has not been investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were 286 people (103 men and 183 women; mean age = 68 years) who underwent resident health screening. Osteophyte formation on lumbar lateral radiographs (Nathan classification), lumbar lordosis angles, sacral inclination angles, serum levels of antioxidants, triglyceride levels, body mass index, osteoporosis, back muscle strength, history of alcohol intake, and smoking history were studied in these subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lumbar osteophyte formation was detected in 48 subjects (17%). Osteophyte formation was significantly more common in elderly persons, men, and subjects with a history of alcohol intake; and had a significant correlation with sacral inclination angle. The levels of α-tocopherol, β-tocopherol, zeaxanthin/lutein, cryptoxanthin, lycopene, α-carotene, and β-carotene were significantly lower in subjects with osteophytes. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for all factors showed that a higher age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-1.16; P = 0.02) and a low β-carotene level (OR = 6.7, 95% CI = 1.39-32.6; P = 0.02) were risk factors for osteophyte formation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The serum levels of carotenoids and vitamin E were significantly lower in subjects with lumbar osteophyte formation, and a low β-carotene level was the strongest risk factor for lumbar osteophytes. This is the first evidence of an association between carotenoids and lumbar osteophyte formation. This finding suggests that appropriate dietary intake of antioxidants is important for inhibition of lumbar spine degeneration in a rapidly aging society.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. imagama@med.nagoya-u.ac.jp
authors.forename: Shiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Imagama
authors.forename: Yukiharu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.forename: Taisuke
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Seki
authors.forename: Yukihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Matsuyama
authors.forename: Yoshihito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakai
authors.forename: Zenya
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Naoki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ishiguro
authors.forename: Yoshinori
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hamajima
authors.forename: Koji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suzuki
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D065366:Cryptoxanthins; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014975:Lutein / Q000097:blood; D000077276:Lycopene; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D054850:Osteophyte / Q000097:blood*; D011859:Radiography; D013128:Spinal Osteophytosis / Q000097:blood*; D024341:Xanthophylls / Q000097:blood; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood*; D024503:beta-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D065366:Cryptoxanthins; D024341:Xanthophylls; D065146:Zeaxanthins; D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids; C041635:alpha-carotene; D024503:beta-Tocopherol; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D000077276:Lycopene; D014975:Lutein