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PubMed2001

Are retinol, vitamin C, vitamin E, folate and carotenoids intake associated with bladder cancer risk? Results from the Netherlands Cohort Study.

In the Netherlands Cohort Study among 120 852 subjects aged 55-69 years at baseline (1986), the association between vitamins and carotenoids intake, vitamin supplement use, and bladder cancer incidence was examined. Exposure status was measured with a food-frequency questionnaire. After 6.3 years of follow-up, data from 569 cases and 3123 subcohort members were available for case-cohort analyses. The age-, sex-, and smoking-adjusted relative risks (RRs) for retinol, vitamin E, folate, a-carotene, b-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, and lycopene were 1.04, 0.98, 1.03, 0.99, 1.16, 1.11, and 1.08, respectively, comparing highest to lowest quintile of intake. Only vitamin C (RR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.61-1.07, P-trend = 0.08), and b-cryptoxanthin intake (RR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.53-1.03, P-trend < 0.01) were inversely associated with bladder cancer risk. The association with vitamin C disappeared after adjustment for b-cryptoxanthin but not vice versa. The RRs for supplemental use of vitamin A, C or E compared to no use were around unity. We conclude that dietary or supplemental intake of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and intake of folate, and most carotenoids are not associated with bladder cancer. In this study, only b-cryptoxanthin intake appeared to be inversely associated.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of vitamin B12 status in Egypt IV: food consumption patterns among lactating mothers and their impact on the intake of the vitamin.

The adequacy of vitamin B12 intake was assessed among 62 lactating mothers in the 2-32 weeks of lactation by an interactive 24-h recall and an open-ended food frequency questionnaire. Double portions of the foods consumed were sampled and assayed microbiologically for its vitamin B12 content. Based on the food item and its respective vitamin B12 content, combined with the usual portion size in grams and the frequency of consumption, a rapid calculator of approximate dietary vitamin B12 intake was developed. The estimated vitamin B12 intake averaged 4.17+/-0.74 microg/d. Only 25.8% of the lactating mothers had adequate vitamin B12 intake (>2.5 microg vitamin B12 daily). Three quarter of the studied population were consuming vitamin B12<2.5 microg/d. Out of those, 50% had estimated daily intake <2.0 microg/d. This percentage prevalence confirms the additional burden on the lactating mothers to satisfy the daily vitamin B12 requirement for its breast-fed baby.

Diet↗
PubMed1985

[Vitamin A requirements of growing swine. 3. Effect of vitamin A supply on the state of health of piglets and fattening swine].

Diseases and losses were registered in dependence on vitamin A supply with 2,035 pigs (6.5-114 kg live weight). The histologic examinations comprised various organs of 72 animals. The content of the main protein fractions as well as antibody titre after supplementing antigenes were determined in the serum of 104 animals. The feeding of a vitamin-A- and carotinefree casein-starch-respectively a Vitamin-A-free cereal-soybeanmeal-diet led to deficiency symptoms after 7-8 respectively 16-19 weeks of experiment particularly in the shape of nervous disturbances and voice affectations. Histologically a hyperplasia and a metaplasia of the epithelium of the big ducts in the salivory gland could be proved. The repletion of a part of the avitaminotic animals by means of oral (500 I.U./kg feed) and parenteral (500,000 to 1,000,000 I.U. i.m.) vitamin A administration is proof of a lack of vitamin A. Vitamin A and provitamin dosage did not influence diseases and losses with the exception of the occurrence of deficiency symptoms. The protein content of the serum as well as that of the globulin fractions alpha, beta, gamma did not change, the albumin content was lower in the groups without vitamin A (p greater than 0.05). Antibody titre against the lipopolysaccharide of salmonella dublin and human gamma globulin were diminished in piglets and fattening pigs fed vitamin A free (p less than 0.05). Taking the criterion of animal health, a vitamin A requirement higher than for growth (250 I.U./kg feed) cannot be derived.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1993

Metabolic evidence that deficiencies of vitamin B-12 (cobalamin), folate, and vitamin B-6 occur commonly in elderly people.

Measurements of the serum concentrations of the metabolites homocysteine, cystathionine, methylmalonic acid, and 2-methylcitric acid, which accumulates when vitamin B-12-, folate-, and vitamin B-6-dependent enzymatic reactions are impaired, should provide a better indication of intracellular deficiency of these vitamins. We measured the serum concentration of these vitamins and the four metabolites in 99 healthy young people, 64 healthy elderly subjects, and 286 elderly hospitalized patients. A low serum vitamin B-12 concentration was found in 6% and 5%, low folate in 5% and 19%, and low vitamin B-6 in 9% and 51%, and one or more metabolites were elevated in 63% and 83% of healthy elderly subjects and elderly hospitalized patients, respectively. These results strongly suggest that the prevalence of tissue deficiencies of vitamin B-12, folate, and vitamin B-6 as demonstrated by the elevated metabolite concentrations is substantially higher than that estimated by measuring concentrations of the vitamins.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Evaluation of serum retinol, the modified-relative-dose-response ratio, and breast-milk vitamin A as indicators of response to postpartum maternal vitamin A supplementation.

BACKGROUND: Conflicting results have been reported regarding the relative performance of serum retinol, the modified-relative-dose-response (MRDR) ratio, and breast-milk vitamin A concentrations in detecting changes in maternal vitamin A status. OBJECTIVE: We used receiver operating characteristic analyses and standardized differences to compare the ability of these indicators to detect a response to postpartum vitamin A supplementation in lactating Bangladeshi women. DESIGN: At 2 wk postpartum, women were randomly assigned to receive either a single dose of vitamin A [200000 IU (60000 retinol equivalents); n = 74] or placebo (n = 73). Data from maternal serum and breast milk collected 3 mo postpartum and from infant serum collected 6 mo postpartum were used to examine the ability of serum retinol, the MRDR ratio, and breast-milk vitamin A to discriminate between individuals in the supplemented and unsupplemented groups. Breast milk was collected by expressing the entire contents of one breast that had not been used to feed an infant for > or =2 h (full samples) or without controlling the time since the last breast-feeding episode (casual samples). RESULTS: Casual breast-milk samples performed better than full breast-milk samples in detecting a response to maternal supplementation. The MRDR ratio performed better than serum retinol in both the women and their infants. Overall, the most responsive indicator was the measurement of breast-milk vitamin A per gram of fat in casual breast-milk samples. CONCLUSIONS: Breast-milk vitamin A and the MRDR ratio are responsive indicators of vitamin A status, especially in women with mild vitamin A deficiency.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Effects of dietary vitamin A deficiency, retinoic acid and protein quantity and quality on serially obtained plasma and liver levels of vitamin A in rats.

Rats were fed vitamin A-deficient diets either alone, supplemented with retinoic acid (RA), or of limited protein quality or quantity (7%rice or 7% casein protein); one group was fed 7% rice protein supplemented with vitamin A. Plasma and liver levels of vitamin A were determined serially. Plasma levels in rats fed otherwise adequate vitamin A-deficient diets remained above 30 micrograms/dl until liver reserves were below 10 micrograms/g tissue, at which point plasma levels decreased in some but not all rats while liver levels continued to decline (at a slower rate) to levels as low as 3 micrograms/g. Supplementation with RA caused an immediate and sustained reduction of 15 to 20 micrograms/dl in circulating vitamin A. At 7% dietary protein, plasma levels of vitamin A remained above 30 micrograms/dl when casein protein was fed or when the rice protein diet was supplemented with dietary vitamin A, but not when the rice protein diet was fed without an exogenous source of the vitamin. A scheme is proposed suggesting possible regulatory mechanisms that might control homeostatic levels of plasma vitamin A.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Vitamin A status of Indonesian children infected with Ascaris lumbricoides after dosing with vitamin A supplements and albendazole.

In developing countries, both marginal vitamin A status and intestinal helminths are common among children. Indonesian children (n = 309, 0.6-6.6 y), known to be infected with Ascaris lumbricoides, were randomized into six different treatment groups (A-F). The treatments included 210 mumol vitamin A supplement and a dose of 400 mg albendazole (5-propylthio-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl carbamic acid methyl ester) administered orally either at the same health visit (Groups B and F) or at different contact times during a 1-mo period (groups A, C, D and E). Vitamin A status was assessed both before and 3-4 wk after the treatments by the modified relative dose response (MRDR) test. Vitamin A supplementation was most important in improving the vitamin A status (P < 0.0001) of these children, whereas treatment for ascariasis alone (P = 0.370) and the statistical interaction between treatment for ascariasis and vitamin A (P = 0.752) were not. Serum retinol concentrations marginally improved (P = 0.051) in two of the groups that received vitamin A and albendazole but not in the third group that received vitamin A only. The MRDR test proved a better discriminator of the effects of these treatments on vitamin A status than changes in serum retinol concentrations.

Albendazole↗
PubMed1998

In well-fed young rats, lactose-induced chronic diarrhea reduces the apparent absorption of vitamins A and E and affects preferentially vitamin E status.

To establish the effect of lactose-induced diarrhea on the apparent absorption and status of vitamins-A and E in well-fed young rats, we fed Sprague Dawley rats a balanced diet or a lactose diet (350 g/kg). A group of rats fed the control diet equal to the level measured in the lactose-fed rats (pair-fed) was also included. The experiment lasted 23 d and feces were collected on days 4-6, 10-12, 14-16 and 20-22. Samples of serum and tissues were taken on days 10 and 23. Lactose caused a significant reduction in food intake, had no effect on body weight and produced a diarrhea that persisted during the whole experiment. The severity of diarrhea decreased with time, indicating that the rats partially adapted to lactose feeding. At the onset of diarrhea, the apparent absorption of vitamins A and E in the rats with diarrhea was significantly lower than in the control or pair-fed rats, but the rats with diarrhea recovered gradually, and in the case of vitamin E was normalized by day 15. At day 10 the rats with lactose-induced diarrhea had serum and liver concentrations of vitamins A and E that did not differ from the control or pair-fed rats. However, at day 23 the lactose-fed rats with diarrhea had significantly lower serum and liver concentrations of vitamin E than the control or pair-fed rats. Measured at that time, diarrhea had no effect on liver vitamin A, but lower serum concentrations of this vitamin were detected in both the lactose-fed rats and in the pair-fed rats. In general, in well-nourished rats, the chronic diarrhea associated with excessive dietary lactose reduced the apparent absorption of vitamin A and E and particularly compromised the nutritional status of vitamin E.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Evaluation of a daily dose of 25 micrograms vitamin K1 to prevent vitamin K deficiency in breast-fed infants.

Vitamin K prophylaxis is recommended to prevent the hazard of hemorrhage caused by vitamin K deficiency in young infants. A single administration after birth seems inadequate to completely prevent late haemorrhagic disease in breast-fed infants. The preventive effect of a daily oral dose of 25 micrograms vitamin K1, which is comparable to about half the dose ingested by formula-fed infants, was evaluated in 58 breast-fed infants. No clinical or biochemical signs of vitamin K deficiency occurred; PIVKA-II was not detectable, and vitamin K1 concentrations were moderately elevated. Vitamin K1 levels were negatively correlated with the number of hours elapsed since the most recent gift. Twenty to 28 h after the administration, median (P10-P90) levels were 1,262 (267-4,328), 1,072 (293-3,427), and 882 (329-2,070) pg/ml at 4, 8, and 12 weeks of age, respectively. Vitamin K1 levels in formula-fed infants (n = 10) were around 7,000 pg/ml. In conclusion, daily supplementation of 25 micrograms vitamin K1 can be recommended for breast-fed infants to prevent vitamin K deficiency beyond the neonatal period.

Biomarkers↗
PubMed2006

Folate, vitamin B(6), and vitamin B(12) intake and the risk of breast cancer among Mexican women.

BACKGROUND: High intake of folate, vitamin B(6), and vitamin B(12) have been hypothesized to lower the risk for breast cancer. We conducted a population-based case-control study to evaluate the risk for breast cancer among Mexican women with relatively low vitamin intakes. METHODS: We included 475 women (median age, 53 years; range, 23-87 years) diagnosed with incident breast cancer through six hospitals in Mexico City and interviewed them to obtain data on breast cancer risk factors and their usual diet using a food frequency questionnaire. We selected 1,391 (median age, 49 years; range, 18-82 years) controls from the Mexico City population using a national sampling frame. RESULTS: Compared with women in the lowest quartile, the odds ratio for breast cancer for women in the highest quartile of folate intake was 0.64 [95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.45-0.90; P, test for trend = 0.009] and 0.32 (95% CI, 0.22-0.49; P, test for trend < 0.0001) for vitamin B(12) intake. Among postmenopausal women, intakes of folate and vitamin B(12) were associated with a lower risk of breast cancer and those associations were stronger than among premenopausal women. The inverse association of folate and breast cancer was stronger among women who consumed a high level of vitamin B(12) as compared with women consuming diets low in vitamin B(12). No association was observed for vitamin B(6) intake. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, high intakes of folate and vitamin B(12) were independently associated with decreased breast cancer risk, particularly among postmenopausal women.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Vitamin K-dependent carboxylation and vitamin K metabolism in liver. Effects of warfarin.

The systems involved in vitamin K-dependent carboxylation and vitamin K metabolism have been extensively studied in rat liver. To determine how clinically applicable this information is, similar in vitro studies were completed using human liver. One major difference exists in the pathways that provide reduced vitamin K1 cofactor for the carboxylation reaction. The coumarin-sensitive DT-diaphorase (EC.1.6.99.2) in human liver appears to play a relatively minor role in the dehydrogenase pathway. However, similar to rat liver, the human liver contains a warfarin-insensitive enzyme in this dehydrogenase pathway. The data suggest that this enzyme is responsible for the antidotic effect of vitamin K1 in cases of coumarin intoxication. Human vitamin K epoxide reductase, which constitutes the other pathway for vitamin K1 reduction, has kinetic and enzymological characteristics that are very similar to the rat enzyme. This enzyme exhibited similar activity in rat and human microsomes. Initial velocities for vitamin K1 epoxide reduction in rat and human microsomes were 20 and 32 pmol/mg X min, respectively. The human enzyme is highly sensitive to warfarin inhibition. The mechanism for this inhibition appears to be similar to what has been proposed for the rat enzyme. Also, a vitamin K-dependent carboxylation system is described that allows both pathways to support the carboxylation reaction with reduced vitamin K1 cofactor. The effect of warfarin on this in vitro system is consistent with the current model for the mechanism of action of coumarin anticoagulant drugs in the rat.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Blood selenium, vitamin E, vitamin A, and beta-carotene concentrations and udder health, fertility treatments, and fertility.

We investigated the activity of glutathione peroxidase in whole blood; concentrations of vitamin E, vitamin A, and beta-carotene in serum; SCC; udder bacterial infections and the incidence of clinical mastitis; fertility treatments; and the success of first AI of 511 dairy cows for 1 yr. The mean Se content in whole blood and the concentrations of vitamin E, vitamin A, and beta-carotene concentrations in serum were 191 micrograms/L, 5.9 mg/L, 0.39 mg/L, and 12.9 mg/L, respectively. An increase in Se concentration in whole blood was associated with a decrease in all infections, including infections by Staphylococcus aureus, Actinomyces pyogenes, and Corynebacterium spp. (-17.7, -31.7, and -70.6%, respectively). There was no association among the different infections or SCC and concentrations of vitamin E, vitamin A, or beta-carotene, but an association existed between vitamin A concentration and SCC. The lower Se concentration in whole blood did not increase incidence of clinical mastitis. The Se concentration in whole blood (200 micrograms/L) was accepted as a target value to optimize udder health. The incidence of fertility disorders (anestrus, subestrus, cystic ovaries, or delayed ovulation) was 34.4%. The pregnancy rate following first insemination was 48.6%. No significant association was observed among Se in whole blood; concentrations of total vitamin E, vitamin A, or beta-carotene in serum; and fertility disorders or success of first AI.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Maternal and umbilical cord serum vitamin A, E levels and mother-to-child transmission in the non-supplemented vitamin A, E HIV-1 infected parturients with short-course zidovudine therapy.

This study was undertaken to assess the maternal and umbilical cord serum vitamin A, E levels at delivery and mother-to-child transmission in nonsupplemented vitamin A, E HIV-1 infected parturients who received short-course zidovudine therapy. Maternal and umbilical cord serum vitamin A, E levels were quantitated by high-performance liquid chromatography in 67 HIV-1 infected parturients who received short-course zidovudine therapy. Mother-to-child transmission occurred in 13.4 per cent of HIV-1 infected parturients. There were no significant differences in the mean concentrations of vitamin A, E and vitamin E/cholesterol ratio between parturients with HIV-1 infected and non-infected infants. While maternal serum vitamin E level was adequate, nearly one-third of the parturients in the study had vitamin A deficiency. In conclusion our study has shown that there was no correlation between maternal serum vitamin A, E levels and mother-to-child HIV transmission in HIV-1 infected parturients who received short-course zidovudine therapy. However, the presence of underlying vitamin A deficiency in these parturients was common, adequate and intensive maternal-infant nutritional support should be emphasized especially in developing countries as an adjunctive measure in the reduction of mother-to-child transmission of HIV as well as the reduction in maternal and perinatal morbidity.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Vitamin a status of pregnant women and effect of post partum vitamin a supplementation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the Vitamin A status of pregnant women in their third trimester using maternal serum retinol levels as the indicator; and (ii) To assess the impact of postpartum Vitamin A supplementation on the Vitamin A status of exclusively breastfed infants. DESIGN: Prospective randomized single blind controlled study. SETTING: Teaching Hospital. SUBJECTS: 109 apparently healthy primi and second gravida women registered at the antenatal clinic were included in the study and followed up for three months postpartum. Serum retinol levels of pregnant mothers in their third trimester (35-37 weeks) and cord blood levels after delivery were estimated. Mothers were then assigned to two groups. The experimental group included 53 mothers who received a single dose of 2 lakh units of Vitamin A orally. The control group had 56 mothers who did not receive Vitamin A. Mothers and infants were followed up for three months. The serum retinol of infants and the breast milk retinol levels were estimated at the end of three months and the results were compared. The growth of the infants was also monitored. RESULTS: Subclinical Vitamin A deficiency was seen in 29.67% of pregnant women. At the end of three months, 69.6% of mothers in the control group had breast milk retinol levels below 30 mg/dl, as opposed to 36.1% in the experimental group. Forty five per cent of infants in the control group had subclinical vitamin A deficiency compared to none in the experimental group. There was no difference in the growth of infants in the two groups. However, the infant serum and the breast milk retinol levels were significantly higher in the supplemented group. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of inapparent Vitamin A deficiency (29.7%) in pregnant women in their third trimester from lower socio-economic strata. Postpartum Vitamin A supplementation had a beneficial impact on the infant serum retional and the breast milk retinol level but no effect on infant growth.

Dietary Supplements↗
PubMed2003

Current status of vitamin A deficiency and the National Vitamin A Control Program in Nepal: results of the 1998 National Micronutrient Status Survey.

The overall objective of the Nepal Micronutrient Status Survey (NMSS) was to assess the distribution and severity of micronutrient malnutrition, and to measure the progress achieved by different interventions. Data presented in this paper concern the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) and the outreach and coverage of the National Vitamin A Supplementation activity. A multi-stage cluster sample design was employed that provided statistically representative data for each of thirteen eco-development strata (because of low population density, the West Mountains, Mid-west Mountains and Far-west Mountains were combined into a single stratum). The design allowed for aggregate estimates to be made at the national and ecological zone level. The survey showed a significant improvement in the status of clinical vitamin A deficiency in Nepal. The prevalence of both Bitot's spots and night-blindness among preschool children decreased from levels observed in surveys conducted in the previous twenty years. However, the prevalence of night-blindness was found to be 5% among women, and over 1% among school-aged children, which indicates that the entire population is vulnerable to VAD. These observations support findings from other surveys that have noted a high prevalence of maternal night-blindness in Nepal. Biochemical data collected as part of the survey indicated a high prevalence of low serum retinol (< 0.70 mumol/l), particularly among preschool children. Almost one of every three children (32.3%) and one of every six women (16.6%) had low serum retinol values. Low serum retinol among preschool children was associated with young age (6-11 months), rural location, wasting, presence of night-blindness and Bitot's spots, and residence in the Terai or Mountains. Similarly, sub-clinical VAD in women was associated with age (less than 20 years), pregnancy, the presence of night-blindness and residence in the Terai or Mountains. In the 42 districts covered by the National Vitamin A Programme (NVAP), more than 87% of preschool children were reached with vitamin A capsules. In addition to this, the National Immunisation Day (NID) provided oral polio vaccine drops to an estimated 95.7% of children 12-59 months. Awareness of the importance of vitamin A was, however, much higher in the NVAP districts than in non-programme districts. As would be expected, clinical VAD was most prevalent among children who had not received vitamin A during the most recent vitamin A capsule distribution. Indeed, the data show that vitamin A capsule receipt among children conferred a 59% protective effect for night-blindness and a 51% effect for Bitot's spots. These results point to significant progress having been achieved by the NVAP and NID capsule distribution activities.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Large dose vitamin A to control vitamin A deficiency.

Vitamin A deficiency is a serious problem throughout the developing world. An estimated 25-50 million children may well suffer the physiologic consequences of vitamin A deficiency; 5 million develop xerophthalmia, of whom 250,000 to 500,000 go blind every year; and untold numbers are at increased risk of diarrhea, respiratory disease, and death. Even mild vitamin A deficiency has been associated with a 14- to 10-fold increase in mortality, and controlled field trials have demonstrated vitamin A supplementation can reduce childhood death rates by 30%-70%. Three general intervention strategies exist for improving vitamin A status of high-risk, rural, economically deprived populations. These include nutrition education leading to increased dietary intake; vitamin A fortification of centrally processed, widely consumed dietary items; and periodic administration of large doses of vitamin A. At present, the latter is far and away the most widely employed intervention activity, because of its immediate impact, and because it can be implemented through the existing (and specialized) health care infrastructure. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin stored in the liver, so that a large dose of 200,000 IU (100,000 IU for children under 1 year of age) every 6 months reduces mortality, stimulates growth, and prevents xerophthalmia and nutritional blindness. Recent data suggest more frequent administration, every 3 to 4 months, may be desirable. Side effects have been minimal, with mild nausea, vomiting, and headaches in less than 1% to 4% of recipients. Care should be taken, however, that doses above 10,000 IU not be administered to women during the first trimester of pregnancy because of potential teratogenic effects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Humans↗
PubMed1989

Vitamin A, vitamin E and selenium status in an aged Finnish male population.

Vitamin A (retinol), vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) and selenium concentrations in serum were studied during the autumn season (October and November) in two Finnish male populations aged 65-84 years and living either in eastern or southwestern Finland. The mean vitamin A concentration was higher in south-western, but the mean selenium concentration was higher in eastern Finland. Mean vitamin A concentrations did not differ between age groups, but in the south-west highest vitamin E and selenium concentrations were found among the youngest population. A severe vitamin A deficiency (below 300 micrograms/l) was found only in 3 (1%) men in the east and 4 (1%) men in the south-west, and a mild deficiency (300-399 micrograms/l) in 11 (4%) men in the east and 16 (4%) men in the south-west. Vitamin E deficiency after the correction by serum total cholesterol (below 2 mg/l/g/l) was found only in 3 (1%) men in the east and 1 (0%) man in the south-west, and low values (2.0-2.9 mg/l/g/l) were found in 13 (4%) men in the east and 34 (9%) men in the south-west. A severe deficiency of selenium (below 46 micrograms/l) was found in 10 (3%) men in the east and 15 (4%) men in the south-west, while a mild deficiency (46-69 micrograms/l) was found in 140 (45%) men in the east and 197 (52%) men in the south-west. The overall vitamin A and vitamin E status of elderly Finnish men was relatively adequate, while severe or mild deficiencies of selenium were common.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Fat soluble vitamins and cancer localization associated to an abnormal ketone derivative of D3 vitamin: carcinomedin.

Many investigations suggested relations between fat soluble vitamin levels in blood and incidence of cancer. These studies are concerning both therapeutical efficiency of vitamins intake, seric levels and cancer risk, and the supposed correlation between blood fat soluble vitamin levels and the cancer localization. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether the alterations of fat soluble vitamin levels (A-vitamin, beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol) were correlated not only to carcinogenic processes but also to the localizations of their developments. In a former article, we have found that an abnormal ketone derivative of D3 vitamin (1-keto-24-methyl-25-hydroxycholecalciferol) or carcinomedin was present in the serum of all cancer patients and absent in that of healthy control subjects. Serum levels of the four above substances were determined in 1068 subjects suffering from differently localized cancers and in 880 healthy subjects. A statistical multidimensional analysis of data led a separate five groups of cancer types (p less than 0.001). Within each group alterations of vitamin spectra, compared to controls, were identical; between groups they were significantly different. These groups were: anal and intestinal cancer; pancreatic, hepatic, oesophageal and gastric cancer; laryngeal and lung cancer; uro-genital and breast cancer; brain cancer. All these groups are statistically different from the reference one (p less than 0.001). This grouping roughly corresponds to the embryologic origin of affected organs. This suggests that carcinogenesis may alter fat soluble vitamin metabolism, specifically in various forms of cancer, or these alterations of vitamin metabolism are in some way involved in the carcinogenic process.

Adult↗