alpha-carotene and Liver-Cirrhosis

Since the incidence of liver cancer is increasing in the world, it is valuable to develop an effective method for its prevention. Various phytochemicals have been shown to suppress liver carcinogenesis in experimental studies. Using these phytochemicals, a clinical trial was conducted. Combination of carotenoids and myo-inositol was found to prevent hepatocellular carcinoma development in patients with chronic viral hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Topics: alpha-Tocopherol; Animals; Anticarcinogenic Agents; beta Carotene; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Carotenoids; Cryptoxanthins; Dietary Supplements; Hepatitis, Viral, Human; Humans; Inositol; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Liver Cirrhosis; Liver Neoplasms; Lycopene; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C3H; Tumor Burden; Xanthophylls

Impairment of gustatory acuity may influence nutrient intake and hence nutritional status. The aim of this study was to evaluate gustatory acuity in patients with cirrhosis and its relationship to circulating concentrations of micronutrients, and food preferences. Gustatory evaluation was undertaken, using a rinsing technique, in 75 cirrhotic patients and 75 comparable healthy volunteers. Circulating concentrations of magnesium, zinc, vitamin A, and alpha- and beta-carotene were measured, and food preferences were assessed by questionnaire. The cirrhotic patients showed impaired gustatory function with significantly higher (less sensitive) median thresholds for detection of salt, sweet, and sour and for recognition of bitter, salt, sweet, and sour, together with a higher overall median gustatory score (P < .0001). Mean circulating concentrations of magnesium, zinc, vitamin A, and alpha- and beta-carotene were significantly lower in the patient population. Serum magnesium was significantly negatively associated with detection of salt (P = .02) and gustatory score (P = .02). Patients' subjective assessment of taste acuity did not correspond with objective measurements. Overall, no differences were observed in food preferences between the two groups, nor was any association found between food preferences and gustatory acuity. Patients with cirrhosis have impaired gustatory acuity that is associated with hypomagnesemia but apparently does not affect food selection.

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Dentures; Diet; Diet, Sodium-Restricted; Female; Food Preferences; Humans; Liver Cirrhosis; Magnesium; Male; Micronutrients; Middle Aged; Sex Factors; Smell; Taste; Vitamin A; Zinc

The authors consider two groups of patients with overt sporadic porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT) from different continents, with the aim of evaluating the possible impairment of the liposoluble antioxidative system, given the possible synergic effect of porphyrins and iron in promoting oxidative cellular damage. Twenty-three Italian outpatients with overt sporadic PCT and 11 outpatients with PCT from Buenos Aires (Argentina) were matched with 60 patients with liver cirrhosis and 52 healthy Italian controls. Serum levels of alpha- and beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, lycopene, retinol and alpha-tocopherol were detected by a high-performance liquid chromatographic technique devised in our laboratory, which afforded an accurate and simultaneous resolution of all these compounds. The results point to a significant reduction in plasma levels of alpha- and beta-carotene in both the PCT populations with respect not only to controls, but also to the cirrhotic population, which had more severe liver damage. Moreover, other carotenoids with proven antioxidative properties, like cryptoxanthin and lycopene, are greatly reduced in our PCT populations. This confirms the suggested synergic effect of iron and porphyrins in the oxidative intracellular damage with consequent depletion of antioxidative liposoluble molecules.

Topics: Alkaline Phosphatase; Analysis of Variance; Antioxidants; Argentina; beta Carotene; Bilirubin; Carotenoids; Case-Control Studies; Cholesterol; Creatinine; Cryptoxanthins; Female; Humans; Italy; Liver Cirrhosis; Lutein; Lycopene; Male; Middle Aged; Porphyria Cutanea Tarda; Prothrombin; Reference Values; Serum Albumin; Vitamin A; Vitamins; Xanthophylls; Zeaxanthins