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Research: ITO and colleagues,
Listed in Issue 91
Abstract
ITO and colleagues, Department of Public Health, Fujita Health University School of Health Sciences, 1-98 Dengakugakubo, Kutsukake-cho, Toyoake, Aichi 470-1192, yoshiito@fujita-hu.ac.jp, have investigated serum carotenoids and mortality from lung cancer.
Background
The aim of the study was to investigate whether high serum levels of carotenoids, tocopherols, and folic acid decrease the risk of lung cancer.
Methodology
This was a case-control study nested in the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study. A total of 39,140 individuals provided serum samples at baseline between 1988 and 1990. During an 8-year follow up, 147 cases of death from lung cancer were identified. 311 controls were selected from the surviving population, matched for gender, age and participating institution. Serum levels of antioxidants were measured in serum samples. Odds ratios for lung cancer death were estimated using conditional logistic models.
Results
The risk of death from lung cancer for the highest quartile of serum alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and canthaxanthin, was significantly lower than for the lowest quartile. Odds ratios, adjusted for smoking, were between 0.21 and 0.46. The odds ratios for zeaxanthin/lutein and folic acid tended to be lower but were not statistically significant. Serum total cholesterol was also inversely related to the risk of death from lung cancer: the odds ratio for the highest versus the lowest quartile was 0.39.
Conclusion
Higher levels of serum carotenoids such as alpha- and beta-carotene may play a role in preventing death from lung cancer in Japan.
References
Ito Y Wakai K, Suzuki K, Tamakoshi A, Seki N, Ando M, Nishino Y, Kondo T, Watanabe Y, Ozasa K, Ohno Y. Serum carotenoids and mortality from lung cancer: a case-control study nested in the Japan Collaborative Cohort (JACC) study. Cancer Science 92 (1): 57-63, Jan 2003.
Comment
Again, as in the above study, the risk of death from lung cancer was significantly lower in those with the highest levels of serum carotenoids.
