beta-carotene and Hepatitis-B

The discovery of some 40 specific factors that have caused cancer in humans has demonstrated conclusively that many fatal cancers are capable of being prevented. These known factors are responsible for less than half all fatal cancers in all countries and much less in most; but there is good evidence, derived from the variation in the incidence of cancer in different communities, in different countries, and at different times that in many countries it may be possible to prevent 80% of all cancers or even more. The practical problems facing each country are different. Not only are the types of cancer different that need most urgently to be prevented, but so are the social and economic conditions that permit or constrain the introduction of preventive measures. Well-understood measures are summarized and the prospects for others that are less established or as yet untried are discussed, including the use of low-tar cigarettes, dietary modification, and anti-viral vaccines.

Topics: Aflatoxins; Asbestos; beta Carotene; Carcinogens, Environmental; Carotenoids; Diet; Dietary Fiber; Hepatitis B; Humans; Iatrogenic Disease; Meat; Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced; Nitrates; Occupational Diseases; Polycyclic Compounds; Selenium; Sexual Behavior; Smoking Prevention; Socioeconomic Factors; Vitamin A

The aim of the study was to determine oxidative stress in patients with acute and chronic viral hepatitis B.. 23 (11 F, 12 M) healthy controls, 23 (8 F, 15 M) patients with acute viral hepatitis B (AVHB) and 25 (9 F, 16 M) patients with chronic viral hepatitis B (CVHB) were studied. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), conjugated dienes (CD), ALT, AST, total and direct bilirubins, beta-carotene and whole blood reduced glutathione (GSH) levels of all subjects were measured. In patients with CVHB, these parameters were measured both before and 6 months after treatment with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha).. MDA, CD, ALT, AST and total and direct bilirubin levels of the patients with AVHB and CVHB before treatment were significantly higher (P<0.001) whereas GSH and beta-carotene levels were lower (P<0.001) than those of the controls. MDA, CD, GSH, beta-carotene, ALT, AST and total and direct bilirubin levels of the patients with CVHB returned approximately to normal levels 6 months after treatment with IFN-alpha.. Our results clearly show that patients with AVHB and CVHB are under the influence of increased oxidative stress (MDA and CD were increased) associated with lower levels of some antioxidants (beta-carotene and GSH). These impairments return to normal levels after IFN-alpha treatment of CVHB patients. These findings suggest that antioxidant supplementation might be considered in patients with acute or chronic hepatitis B.

Topics: Acute Disease; Adult; Alkadienes; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Chronic Disease; Female; Glutathione; Hepatitis B; Humans; Interferon-alpha; Male; Malondialdehyde; Oxidative Stress

Epidemiological evidence indicates that aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) intake is associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The hepatocarcinogenesis is initiated by covalent binding of AFB1 to cellular DNA. To determine whether nutritional factors and hormonal status may influence the binding of AFB1 to hepatic DNA, a cross-sectional study was performed on a total of 42 male asymptomatic hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) carriers and 43 male non-carriers in a cohort study on the multistage development of HCC in Taiwan. The major AFB1-DNA adduct in vivo, AFB1-N7-guanine, was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography in urine. Urinary AFB1-N7-guanine was detectable in 40% of the subjects. HBsAg carriers had a higher detection rate of urinary AFB1-DNA adducts than non-carriers and the difference was statistically significant after multivariate adjustment. After taking into account the total AFB1 urinary metabolite level, chronic HBsAg carrier status, and other potential confounders, plasma levels of cholesterol, alpha-tocopherol, and alpha- and beta-carotene were positively associated with the detection rate of the AFB1-DNA adducts in a dose-dependent manner, whereas plasma lycopene level was inversely related to the presence of the adducts in urine. The association of urinary AFB1-DNA adducts with the plasma levels of cholesterol, alpha-tocopherol, lycopene, and alpha- and beta-carotene was observed at both low and high exposure levels of AFB1. There was a synergistic interaction of plasma alpha-tocopherol with alpha- and beta-carotene on the adduct levels. No association with the adducts was found for plasma levels of retinol and testosterone. This study demonstrated different associations of antioxidant vitamins with AFB1-DNA adduct formation. The data consistent with our previous finding in cultured woodchuck hepatocytes that alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene enhanced AFB1-DNA adduct formation suggest that prospective investigation of the relationship between plasma micronutrients and risk of AFB1-related HCC is warranted.

Topics: Adult; Aflatoxin B1; Aged; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Chronic Disease; DNA; DNA Adducts; Guanine; Hepatitis B; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens; Hepatitis B virus; Humans; Liver; Liver Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Testosterone; Vitamin E; Vitamins

A case-control study was carried out in 59 patients with newly diagnosed hepatocellular carcinoma and 101 control subjects, who were all male hepatitis B carriers. The odds ratios of hepatocellular carcinoma occurring among hepatitis B carriers in the lowest quartile and those highest quartile of dietary and serum status were 5.3 (1.9 to 15.0) and 86.9 (20.0 to 377.2), respectively. The odds ratios for hepatitis B carriers in the lowest quartile and those in the highest quartile of dietary and serum beta-carotene status were 1.7 (0.7 to 4.1) and 5.0 (1.9 to 13.2). Vitamin E status did not differ in case patients and control subjects. Low education level, heavy consumption of alcohol, and smoking status were also associated with increased odds of hepatocellular carcinoma. Serum retinol, positively associated with dietary retinol, demonstrated an independent effect on hepatocellular carcinoma. This effect may reflect changes in the physiologic condition of the patients at the time of entering the hospital.

Topics: Adult; beta Carotene; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular; Carotenoids; Case-Control Studies; Diet; Hepatitis B; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Risk Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Vitamin A; Vitamin E

Topics: beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Carrier State; Hepatitis B; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Diseases; Physicians; Thymus Extracts; Thymus Hormones