beta-carotene and Prostatic-Hyperplasia

Tomatoes are discussed to have an important role in the prevention of and therapy for prostate cancer (PCA). Whether or not they are also useful in the primary and secondary prevention of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is not clear. This review summarises the results of original contributions with a focus on interventional studies. Whereas epidemiological studies on BPH prevention provide no evidence for a preventive potential of tomatoes and tomato products, the majority of interventional trials points to an increased DNA resistance against oxidative-induced damage. Even though their effect on a surrogate marker of the IGF pathway cannot be evaluated so far due to insufficient data, the consumption of tomatoes and tomato products may probably protect from PCA--at least when considering low-grade PCA. Thus, regular consumption of these foods can be recommended for the prevention of PCA. Tomato products might also be useful in the therapy for BPH and PCA. The intake of isolated lycopene does not protect from the development of PCA. However, in the doses achieved by consumption of tomato products, lycopene ingestion might also be effective in PCA therapy.

Topics: Anticarcinogenic Agents; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Clinical Trials as Topic; Cohort Studies; DNA Damage; Evidence-Based Medicine; Humans; Lycopene; Male; Middle Aged; Prostate-Specific Antigen; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Prostatic Neoplasms; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Reduction Behavior; Solanum lycopersicum; Time Factors

The main objectives of the study was the evaluation of concentration of endogenous antioxidants (Vitamins E, A, C and Beta-carotene) in the blood plasma of elderly men and to determine their roles in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia. There were carried out investigations in 110 men during 2003-2006 in the Urological Clinic of the Tbilisi State Medical Academy. 71 patient entered into the main group (65-81 years old), who were diagnosed for benign prostate hyperplasia. The control group included 30 men (60-80 years old) who did not suffer from the typical signs of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Besides, to evaluate normal levels of endogenous antioxidants (Vitamins E, A, C and Beta-carotene) concentration in the blood plasma additionally were studied young practically healthy 10 persons (20-35 years old), they compiled the second control group. Our study showed that endogenous antioxidants concentration reduces in the blood plasma with the age, this reduction becomes more obvious with the clinical detection of prostate benign hyperplasia. It is recommended for elderly patients to control periodically the endogenous antioxidants level (Vitamins A, C, E and Beta-carotene) in the blood plasma and in the case of changes to get food enriched with vitamins or combined vitamins preparations. This will be accomplice factor for the prophylactic of benign prostatic hyperplasia. This will be prophylactic activity during the conservative treatment process (by alpha-adrenoceptor blocking drugs, phytotherapy medicines, 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors and others). Inclusion of vitamins complexes which contains antioxidants is necessary. Prescription of antioxidants complex after the operative treatment will accelerate the healing process and reduce the rehabilitation period.

Topics: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Biomarkers; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Disease Progression; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Oxidative Stress; Prognosis; Prostate-Specific Antigen; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Retrospective Studies; Ultrasonography; Vitamin A; Vitamin E

Inhibition of 5alpha-reductase has been reported to decrease the symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and possibly inhibit or help treat prostate cancer. Saw Palmetto berry lipid extract (SPLE) is reported to inhibit 5alpha-reductase and decrease the clinical symptoms of BPH. Epidemiologic studies report that carotenoids such as lycopene may inhibit prostate cancer. In this investigation the effect of the carotenoid astaxanthin, and SPLE were examined for their effect on 5alpha-reductase inhibition as well as the growth of prostatic carcinoma cells in vitro. These studies support patent #6,277,417 B1. The results show astaxanthin demonstrated 98% inhibition of 5alpha-reductase at 300 microg/mL in vitro. Alphastat, the combination of astaxanthin and SPLE, showed a 20% greater inhibition of 5alpha-reductase than SPLE alone n vitro. A nine day treatment of prostatic carcinoma cells with astaxanthin in vitro produced a 24% decrease in growth at 0.1 mcg/mL and a 38% decrease at 0.01 mcg/mL. SPLE showed a 34% decrease at 0.1 mcg/mL.. Low levels of carotenoid astaxanthin inhibit 5alpha-reductase and decrease the growth of human prostatic cancer cells in vitro. Astaxanthin added to SPLE shows greater inhibition of 5alpha-reductase than SPLE alone in vitro.

Topics: 3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase; Androgen Antagonists; beta Carotene; Cell Line, Tumor; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Plant Extracts; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Prostatic Neoplasms; Serenoa; Xanthophylls

One hundred patients with prostate cancer and two different control series [100 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients and 100 general hospital patients] were matched to each other upon hospital admittance, age (+/- 3 years) and date of admission (+/- 3 months), and directly interviewed during admission from 1981 to 1984 in Kyoto, Japan. Major dietary findings derived from a quantitative food frequency technique for estimating usual diet are as follows. (a) The smaller the dietary intake of beta-carotene and vitamin A as well, the higher the risk, with a highly significant linear trend. From the beta-carotene analyses, the relative risk (95% confidence interval) for the lowest intake quartile relative to the highest was 2.10 (0.98-4.47) for the uncorrected intake, 2.35 (1.08-5.12) for the intake per kg, and 2.94 (1.34-6.44) for the intake per kcal in the comparison with BPH patients; 2.88 (1.31-6.32), 2.56 (1.14-5.76), and 3.50 (1.52-8.06), respectively, in the comparison with hospital controls. The corresponding relative risk obtained from the vitamin A analyses was 2.82 (1.30-6.14), 2.64 (1.24-5.60), and 3.29 (1.47-7.35) in due order in the comparison with BPH patients; 2.69 (1.22-5.94), 4.78 (1.98-11.52), and 3.50 (1.52-8.06) in the comparison with hospital controls. (b) beta-Carotene as well as vitamin A contained in green/yellow vegetables were significantly protective, and those in seaweeds and kelp suggestively protective. But those in fruits appeared to enhance the risk. (c) The risk reduction by dietary beta-carotene and vitamin A was significant in the older men (70-79 years), but not in the younger men (50-69 years). (d) Total energy intake and the dietary intake of fat, protein, carbohydrate, water, fiber, ash, such vitamins as retinol, B1, B2, C, and niacin, and such minerals as calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, and iron were not linked with prostate cancer risk. (e) A protective effect of dietary beta-carotene and vitamin A against prostate cancer could be related to the low overall fat intake in Japan.

Topics: Age Factors; Aged; beta Carotene; Carotenoids; Diet; Dietary Fats; Energy Intake; Humans; Japan; Male; Middle Aged; Prostatic Hyperplasia; Prostatic Neoplasms; Risk Factors; Vitamin A