vitamin-b-12 and Prostatic-Neoplasms

To discuss the overall and latest observations of the effect of diet, lifestyle, supplements, and some prescription heart healthy medications for prostate cancer prevention.. The concept of maximizing heart health to prevent aggressive prostate cancer continues to be solidified with the addition of more prospective observational and randomized controlled trial data. Heart healthy is prostate healthy, and heart unhealthy is prostate unhealthy. The primary goal of reducing the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality also coincides with maximizing prostate cancer prevention. The obesity epidemic in children and adults along with recent diverse research has only strengthened the nexus between heart and prostate health. Greater dietary adherence toward a variety of healthy foods is associated with a graded improved probability of CVD and potentially aggressive cancer risk reduction. Preventing prostate cancer via dietary supplements should encourage a "first do no harm," or less is more approach until future evidence can reverse the concerning trend that more supplementation has resulted in either no impact or an increased risk of prostate cancer. Supplements to reduce side effects of some cancer treatments appear to have more encouraging data. A discussion of quality (QC) before utilizing any pill also requires attention. Medications or interventions that potentially improve heart health including statins, aspirin, and metformin (S.A.M.), specific beta-blocker medications, and even preventive vaccines are in general generic, low-cost, "natural," and should continue to garner research interest. A watershed moment in medical education has arrived where the past perception of a diverse number of trees seemingly separated by vast distances, in reality, now appear to exist within the same forest.

Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Fish Oils; Folic Acid; Food; Health Status; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Life Style; Male; Prescription Drugs; Prostatic Neoplasms; Quality Control; Risk Reduction Behavior; Vitamin B 12

Mechanisms postulated to link folate and B12 metabolism with cancer, including genome-wide hypomethylation, gene-specific promoter hypermethylation, and DNA uracil misincorporation, have been observed in prostate tumor cells. However, epidemiological studies of prostate cancer risk, based on dietary intakes and blood levels of folate and vitamin B12 and on folate-pathway gene variants, have generated contradictory findings. In a meta-analysis, circulating concentrations of B12 (seven studies, OR = 1.10; 95% CI 1.01, 1.19; P = 0.002) and (in cohort studies) folate (five studies, OR = 1.18; 95% CI 1.00, 1.40; P = 0.02) were positively associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. Homocysteine was not associated with risk of prostate cancer (four studies, OR = 0.91; 95% CI 0.69, 1.19; P = 0.5). In a meta-analysis of folate-pathway polymorphisms, MTR 2756A > G (eight studies, OR = 1.06; 95% CI 1.00, 1.12; P = 0.06) and SHMT1 1420C > T (two studies, OR = 1.11; 95% CI 1.00, 1.22; P = 0.05) were positively associated with prostate cancer risk. There were no effects due to any other polymorphisms, including MTHFR 677C > T (12 studies, OR = 1.04; 95% CI 0.97, 1.12; P = 0.3). The positive association of circulating B12 with an increased risk of prostate cancer could be explained by reverse causality. However, given current controversies over mandatory B12 fortification, further research to eliminate a causal role of B12 in prostate cancer initiation and/or progression is required. Meta-analysis does not entirely rule out a positive association of circulating folate with increased prostate cancer risk. As with B12, even a weak positive association would be a significant public health issue, given the high prevalence of prostate cancer and concerns about the potential harms versus benefits of mandatory folic acid fortification.

Topics: Betaine; Diet; Dietary Supplements; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Male; Meta-Analysis as Topic; Prostate-Specific Antigen; Prostatic Neoplasms; Risk Factors; Vitamin B 12

Disturbed folate metabolism is associated with an increased risk of some cancers. Our objective was to determine whether blood levels of folate, vitamin B(12), and related metabolites were associated with prostate cancer risk.. Matched case-control study nested within the U.K. population-based Prostate testing for cancer and Treatment (ProtecT) study of prostate-specific antigen-detected prostate cancer in men ages 50 to 69 years. Plasma concentrations of folate, B(12) (cobalamin), holo-haptocorrin, holo-transcobalamin total transcobalamin, and total homocysteine (tHcy) were measured in 1,461 cases and 1,507 controls. ProtecT study estimates for associations of folate, B(12), and tHcy with prostate cancer risk were included in a meta-analysis, based on a systematic review.. In the ProtecT study, increased B(12) and holo-haptocorrin concentrations showed positive associations with prostate cancer risk [highest versus lowest quartile of B(12) odds ratio (OR) = 1.17 (95% confidence interval, 0.95-1.43); P(trend) = 0.06; highest versus lowest quartile of holo-haptocorrin OR = 1.27 (1.04-1.56); P(trend) = 0.01]; folate, holo-transcobalamin, and tHcy were not associated with prostate cancer risk. In the meta-analysis, circulating B(12) levels were associated with an increased prostate cancer risk [pooled OR = 1.10 (1.01-1.19) per 100 pmol/L increase in B(12); P = 0.002]; the pooled OR for the association of folate with prostate cancer was positive [OR = 1.11 (0.96-1.28) per 10 nmol/L; P = 0.2) and conventionally statistically significant if ProtecT (the only case-control study) was excluded [OR = 1.18 (1.00-1.40) per 10 nmol/L; P = 0.02].. Vitamin B(12) and (in cohort studies) folate were associated with increased prostate cancer risk.. Given current controversies over mandatory fortification, further research is needed to determine whether these are causal associations.

Topics: Aged; Case-Control Studies; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prostatic Neoplasms; Risk Factors; Transcobalamins; Vitamin B 12

Although vitamin deficiency is encountered infrequently in developed countries, inadequate intake of several vitamins is associated with chronic disease.. To review the clinically important vitamins with regard to their biological effects, food sources, deficiency syndromes, potential for toxicity, and relationship to chronic disease.. We searched MEDLINE for English-language articles about vitamins in relation to chronic diseases and their references published from 1966 through January 11, 2002.. We reviewed articles jointly for the most clinically important information, emphasizing randomized trials where available.. Our review of 9 vitamins showed that elderly people, vegans, alcohol-dependent individuals, and patients with malabsorption are at higher risk of inadequate intake or absorption of several vitamins. Excessive doses of vitamin A during early pregnancy and fat-soluble vitamins taken anytime may result in adverse outcomes. Inadequate folate status is associated with neural tube defect and some cancers. Folate and vitamins B(6) and B(12) are required for homocysteine metabolism and are associated with coronary heart disease risk. Vitamin E and lycopene may decrease the risk of prostate cancer. Vitamin D is associated with decreased occurrence of fractures when taken with calcium.. Some groups of patients are at higher risk for vitamin deficiency and suboptimal vitamin status. Many physicians may be unaware of common food sources of vitamins or unsure which vitamins they should recommend for their patients. Vitamin excess is possible with supplementation, particularly for fat-soluble vitamins. Inadequate intake of several vitamins has been linked to chronic diseases, including coronary heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Avitaminosis; Blood Coagulation; Breast Neoplasms; Carotenoids; Chronic Disease; Colorectal Neoplasms; Coronary Disease; Dietary Supplements; Female; Folic Acid; Fractures, Bone; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Neoplasms; Neural Tube Defects; Prostatic Neoplasms; Risk Factors; Vitamin A; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 6; Vitamin D; Vitamin E; Vitamin K; Vitamins

Mecobalamin has been reported to be useful for peripheral nerve disorder. There have been no previous reports of the effects of mecobalamin on urinary and sexual function after nerve sparing radical prostatectomy. We examined the effects of the use of mecobalamin on urinary and erectile functions after nerve sparing radical prostatectomy.. A total of 54 patients with localized prostatic cancer were prospectively randomized into 2 groups. The 27 patients in group A were treated with nerve sparing prostatectomy and mecobalamin 1,500 microg/day for 6 months. The 27 patients in group B were treated with nerve sparing prostatectomy alone. Urinary function (URF), urinary bother (URB), sexual function (SXF) and sexual bother (SXB) were evaluated using the University of California at Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA-PCI) before surgery, and 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery.. There were no significant differences in URF, URB, SXF or SXB between the two groups at any postoperative period. At 3 months after surgery, however, group A tended to have a better URF than group B (85.7 +/- 4.7 (mean +/- standard error) vs. 66.9 +/- 10.2) and URB (85.7 +/- 7.4 vs. 63.9 +/- 11.8) (p = 0.121, p = 0.168). At 12 months after surgery, both groups showed similar URF (86.4 +/- 7.4 vs. 81.8 +/- 4.2) and URB (86.5 +/- 8.3 vs. 84.5 +/- 4.7). Although the two groups had similar recovery phase of SXF, group A tended to report better SXB throughout the postoperative period.. This study did not demonstrate any significant effect of the use of mecobalamin on the recovery of urinary or sexual function after nerve sparing prostatectomy, although an early recovery effect on urinary function was suggested. A randomized controlled study with a larger population is warranted to fully elucidate the role of mecobalamin in the improvement of functional outcome after radical prostatectomy.

Topics: Aged; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Penile Erection; Prostatectomy; Prostatic Neoplasms; Time Factors; Urination; Vitamin B 12

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an important enzyme involved in folate and homocysteine metabolism, which are necessary for DNA methylation and nucleotide synthesis. Genetic polymorphisms that reduce MTHFR activity have been linked to several diseases, including prostate cancer. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether MTHFR polymorphisms, along with serum levels of folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine, are associated with prostate cancer risk in the Algerian population.. A total of 106 Algerian men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer and 125 healthy controls were included in this case-control study. The MTHFR C677T and A1298C polymorphisms were analyzed using PCR/RFLP and Real-Time PCR TaqMan® assays, respectively. Serum levels of folate, total homocysteine, and vitamin B12 were measured using an automatic biochemistry analyzer.. We found no significant differences in the genotype frequency of A1298C and C677T between prostate cancer patients and controls. Moreover, serum levels of folate, total homocysteine, and vitamin B12 were not significantly associated with prostate cancer risk (p > 0.05). However, age and family history were identified as significant risk factors (OR = 1.178, p = 0.00 and OR = 10.03, p = 0.007, respectively).. Our study suggests that MTHFR C677T and A1298C, as well as serum levels of folate, total homocysteine, and vitamin B12, are not associated with prostate cancer risk in the Algerian population. However, age and family history are significant risk factors. Further studies with a larger sample size are required to confirm these findings.

Topics: Case-Control Studies; Folic Acid; Humans; Male; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); Polymorphism, Genetic; Prostatic Neoplasms; Vitamin B 12

The roles of folate and vitamin B12 in prostate cancer (PCa) or breast cancer (BC) development are unclear. We investigated their roles using the prospective Swedish Apolipoprotein MOrtality RISk (AMORIS) study.. 8,783 men and 19,775 women with vitamin B12 and folate serum measurements were included. Their associations with PCa and BC risk categories were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards regression.. During mean follow-up of 13 years, 703 men developed PCa. There was an inverse association between folate > 32 nmol/L and high-risk PCa [hazard ratio (HR) 0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.02-0.90], and a positive association between folate < 5 nmol/L and metastatic PCa (HR 5.25, 95% CI 1.29-21.41), compared with folate 5-32 nmol/L. No associations with vitamin B12 were found. 795 women developed BC during mean follow-up of 14 years. When restricting to the fasting population, there was a positive association between folate > 32 nmol/L and BC (HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.06-2.04).. High folate levels may protect against PCa and low folate levels may increase risk of metastatic PCa. High fasting folate levels may be associated with an increased BC risk. Vitamin B12 was not found to be linked with risk of PCa or BC. Longitudinal studies with serum and dietary information could help define new prevention targets and add information on the role of folate fortification.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Breast Neoplasms; Cohort Studies; Diet; Female; Folic Acid; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Proportional Hazards Models; Prospective Studies; Prostatic Neoplasms; Risk; Sweden; Vitamin B 12

Topics: Folic Acid; Humans; Male; Prostatic Neoplasms; Risk; Vitamin B 12

Folate and vitamin B. To investigate the associations between circulating folate and vitamin B. A study was performed with a nested case-control design based on individual participant data from six cohort studies including 6875 cases and 8104 controls; blood collection from 1981 to 2008, and an average follow-up of 8.9 yr (standard deviation 7.3). Odds ratios (ORs) of incident PCa by study-specific fifths of circulating folate and vitamin B. Incident PCa and subtype by stage and grade.. Higher folate and vitamin B. The association between higher folate concentration and risk of high-grade disease, not evident for low-grade disease, suggests a possible role for folate in the progression of clinically relevant PCa and warrants further investigation.. Folate, a vitamin obtained from foods and supplements, is important for maintaining cell health. In this study, however, men with higher blood folate levels were at greater risk of high-grade (more aggressive) prostate cancer compared with men with lower folate levels. Further research is needed to investigate the possible role of folate in the progression of this disease.

Topics: Aged; Case-Control Studies; Cohort Studies; Folic Acid; Hexetidine; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Prostatic Neoplasms; Risk; Vitamin B 12

Although individual studies have been inconsistent, meta-analyses of epidemiological data suggest that high folate and vitamin B12 levels may be associated with increased prostate cancer risk.. Within JANUS, a prospective cohort in Norway (n = 317 000) with baseline serum samples, we conducted a nested case-control study among 3000 prostate cancer cases and 3000 controls, matched on age and time at serum sampling, and county of residence. Using conditional logistic regression, odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for prostate cancer risk were estimated according to quintiles of serum folate, vitamin B12, methylmalonic acid (MMA), total homocysteine (tHcy) and methionine, and according to MTHFR 677C→T genotypes. To correct for degradation during sample storage, folate concentration was measured as p-aminobenzoylglutamate (pABG) equivalents following oxidation and acid hydrolysis.. We observed a weak positive association between folate concentration and prostate cancer risk [OR highest vs lowest quintile = 1.15 (0.97-1.37), P-trend = 0.04], which was more pronounced among individuals ≥ 50 years at inclusion [OR 1.40 (1.07-1.84), P-trend = 0.02]. tHcy showed an inverse trend with risk [OR 0.92 (0.77-1.10), P-trend = 0.03]. Vitamin B12, MMA and methionine concentrations were not associated with prostate cancer risk. Compared with the MTHFR 677CC genotype, the CT and TT variants, both of which were related to lower folate concentrations, were associated with reduced prostate cancer risk [OR 0.82 (0.72-0.94) and OR 0.78 (0.64-0.94), respectively].. This large-scale population-based study suggests that high serum folate concentration may be associated with modestly increased prostate cancer risk. We did not observe an association between vitamin B12 status and prostate cancer risk.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Case-Control Studies; Confidence Intervals; Folic Acid; Genotype; Homocysteine; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); Norway; Odds Ratio; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polymorphism, Genetic; Population Surveillance; Prospective Studies; Prostatic Neoplasms; Risk Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Vitamin B 12

A vertex-differentiated icosahedral closo-B(12)(2-) core was utilized to construct a α(v)β(3) integrin receptor-targeted (via cRGD peptide) high payload MRI contrast agent (CA-12) carrying 11 copies of Gd(3+)-DOTA chelates attached to the closo-B(12)(2-) surface via suitable linkers. The resulting polyfunctional MRI contrast agent possessed a higher relaxivity value per-Gd compared to Omniscan, a small molecular contrast agent commonly used in clinical settings. The α(v)β(3) integrin receptor specificity of CA-12 was confirmed via in vitro cellular binding experiments and in vivo MRI of mice bearing human PC-3 prostate cancer xenografts. Integrin α(v)β(3)-positive MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited 300% higher uptake of CA-12 than α(v)β(3)-negative T47D cells. Serial T1-weighted MRI showed superior contrast enhancement of tumors by CA-12 compared to both a nontargeted 12-fold Gd(3+)-DOTA closomer control (CA-7) and Omniscan. Contrast enhancement by CA-12 persisted for 4 h postinjection, and subsequent enhancement of kidney tissue indicated a renal elimination route similar to Omniscan. No toxic effects of CA-12 were apparent in any mice for up to 24 h postinjection. Post-mortem ICP-OES analysis at 24 h detected no residual Gd in any of the tissue samples analyzed.

Topics: Animals; Cell Line, Tumor; Chelating Agents; Contrast Media; Gadolinium; Heterocyclic Compounds, 1-Ring; Humans; Integrin alphaVbeta3; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Mice; Mice, SCID; Molecular Structure; Neoplasms, Experimental; Peptides, Cyclic; Prostatic Neoplasms; Vitamin B 12

To assess the validity of a 148-item quantitative FFQ (QFFQ) that was developed for the Barbados National Cancer Study (BNCS) to determine dietary intake over 12 months and examine the dietary risk factors.. A cross-sectional validation study of the QFFQ against 4 d food diaries. Spearman's rank correlations (ρ), intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) and weighted κ were computed as measures of concordance, adjusting for daily variations in the food diaries. Cross-classification tables and Bland-Altman plots were created for further assessment.. BNCS is a case-control study of environmental risk factors for breast and prostate cancer in a predominantly African-origin population in Barbados.. Fifty-four individuals (21 years and older) were recruited among controls in the BNCS who were frequency-matched on sex and age group to breast and prostate cancer cases.. Similar mean daily energy intake was derived from the food diary (8201 kJ (1960 kcal)) and QFFQ (7774 kJ (1858 kcal)). Rho for energy and macronutrients ranged from 0·66 (energy) to 0·17 (dietary fibre). The percentage of energy from carbohydrates and protein showed the highest and lowest ICC among macronutrients (0·63 and 0·27, respectively). The highest weighted κ was observed for energy (0·45). When the nutrient intake was divided into quartiles, approximately 34 % of the observations were in the same quartile.. This investigation supports the validity of the QFFQ as a method for assessing long-term dietary intake except for dietary fibre, folate, vitamins A, E and B12. The instrument will be a useful tool in the analysis of diet-cancer associations in the BNCS.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Barbados; Black People; Breast Neoplasms; Case-Control Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diet; Diet Records; Diet Surveys; Dietary Fiber; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Feeding Behavior; Female; Folic Acid; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nutrition Assessment; Prostatic Neoplasms; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vitamin A; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin E; Vitamins

Topics: Diabetes Complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Disease Progression; Female; Humans; Insulin; Ischemia; Male; Metformin; Models, Biological; Models, Theoretical; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Prostatic Neoplasms; Vitamin B 12

We hypothesized that genetic polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene are associated with prostate cancer risk.. We genotyped three MTHFR polymorphisms (C677T, A1298C, and G1793A) and measured serum total homocysteine (tHcy), folate, and vitamin B12 levels in a case-control study of 174 cases and 348 normal healthy controls. The cancer-free controls were frequency matched to the cases by age (±2 years), educational level, occupational status, ethnicity, and smoking status.. We found that the MTHFR 677TT and 1298CC genotypes were associated with an about 40% reduction in risk of prostate cancer (adjusted OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.41-0.94, and adjusted OR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.32-0.91, respectively) compared to the 677CC, and 1298AA genotypes. The combined variant genotypes of 1298AC + 677CC were associated with a 30% reduction in risk of prostate cancer (OR = 0.70; 95% CI = 0.53-0.79). In contrast, the variant genotypes of 1793GA + 677CT were associated with slightly increased risk for prostate cancer (OR = 1.64; 95% CI = 0.86-2.15). Regarding prostate cancer aggressiveness, the 677TT genotype was associated with more than 50% decreased risk of high-grade prostate cancer (Gleason score >7) compared with the 677CC and 677CT genotypes (OR = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.24-0.64; P = 0.001). There was no significant difference in plasma levels of tHcy, folate, and vitamin B12 between the two groups with any genotypes.. These data suggest that all three MTHFR polymorphisms may play a pivotal role in the developing prostate cancer. Larger studies in different ethnic populations and incorporating dietary folate intake are needed to replicate our findings.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Case-Control Studies; Cystamine; DNA; Folic Acid; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Humans; Male; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); Middle Aged; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Prostate-Specific Antigen; Prostatic Neoplasms; Vitamin B 12

Vitamin B(12), holo-haptocorrin, and the folate-pathway single-nucleotide polymorphisms MTR 2756A>G and SHMT1 1420C>T have been associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. We investigated whether these and other elements of folate metabolism were associated with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) velocity (PSAV) as a proxy measure of prostate cancer progression in men with localized prostate cancer.. We measured plasma folate, B(12), holo-haptocorrin, holo-transcobalamin, total transcobalamin, and total homocysteine at diagnosis in 424 men (ages 45-70 years) with localized prostate cancer in a U.K.-wide population-based cohort. Thirteen folate-pathway single-nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped for 311 of these men. Postdiagnosis PSAV (continuous measure and with a threshold set a priori at 2 ng/mL/y) was estimated from repeat PSA measurements.. Median follow-up time was 2.5 (range, 0.8-5.6) years. Vitamin B(12), holo-haptocorrin, holo-transcobalamin, total transcobalamin, and total homocysteine were not associated with postdiagnosis PSAV. Folate was associated with an increased risk of PSAV >2 ng/mL/y [odds ratio (OR) per unit increase in log(e) concentration, 1.57; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.98-2.51; P = 0.06]. MTRR 66A>G (rs1801394) was associated with a reduced risk (recessive model OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.11-0.97; P = 0.04), and SHMT1 1420C>T (rs1979277) with an increased risk (per-allele OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.93-2.37; P = 0.09) of PSAV >2 ng/mL/y.. We found weak evidence that higher folate levels may be associated with faster progression of localized prostate cancer.. Long-term follow-up is needed to test associations with metastases and mortality, and the observed genetic effects require replication.

Topics: Aged; Biomarkers, Tumor; Disease Progression; Folic Acid; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genotype; Homocysteine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Prostate-Specific Antigen; Prostatic Neoplasms; Signal Transduction; Vitamin B 12

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; beta Carotene; Colorectal Neoplasms; Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; Dietary Supplements; Female; Folic Acid; Humans; Incidence; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Neoplasms; Primary Prevention; Prostatic Neoplasms; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Assessment; Selenium; United States; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 6; Vitamin E

Generalized pruritus can often be the primary manifestation of systemic disease.. To determine how frequently generalized pruritus had a systemic etiology in an outpatient population seen in a dermatology department and whether any identifiable patient characteristics meant a systemic explanation of generalized pruritus was more likely.. A prospective controlled study of 55 patients with generalized pruritus and 41 healthy age- and sex-matched control subjects. Clinical data were collected from patients and laboratory parameters investigated in both patients and healthy control subjects to determine the frequency of systemic disease in each group.. Of 55 patients, 12 had a systemic cause of pruritus. Pruritus was the initial symptom of systemic disease in eight of these patients. The underlying diseases included hypothyroidism, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, hepatitis C, hepatitis B, diabetes mellitus, lung cancer, uremia, and iron deficiency anemia. Of these, iron deficiency anemia was the most common cause. Compared with the control group, mean serum hemoglobin, iron, and cyanocobalamin (vitamin B(12)) levels in patients with generalized pruritus were lower. No other patient characteristics were statistically associated with systemic causes of pruritus.. Generalized pruritus was the initial symptom of a systemic disease in 8 of 55 patients presenting to a dermatology outpatient clinic with this complaint. A number of underlying diseases were identified, of which the most common was iron deficiency anemia.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency; Case-Control Studies; Diabetes Complications; Female; Hemoglobins; Hepatitis, Viral, Human; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Iron; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Prostatic Neoplasms; Pruritus; Statistics, Nonparametric; Uremia; Vitamin B 12

Determinants of one-carbon metabolism, such as folate and vitamin B(12), have been implicated in cancer development. Previous studies have not provided conclusive evidence for the importance of circulating concentrations of folate and vitamin B(12) in prostate cancer etiology. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between prostate cancer risk and circulating concentrations of folate and vitamin B(12) in a large prospective cohort.. We analyzed circulating concentrations of folate and vitamin B(12) in 869 cases and 1,174 controls, individually matched on center, age, and date of recruitment, nested within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohort. Relative risks (RR) for prostate cancer were estimated using conditional logistic regression models.. Overall, no significant associations were observed for circulating concentrations of folate (P(trend) = 0.62) or vitamin B(12) (P(trend) = 0.21) with prostate cancer risk. RRs for a doubling in folate and vitamin B(12) concentrations were 1.03 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.92-1.16] and 1.12 (95% CI, 0.94-1.35), respectively. In the subgroup of cases diagnosed with advanced stage prostate cancer, elevated concentrations of vitamin B(12) were associated with increased risk (RR for a doubling in concentration, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.05-2.72, P(trend) = 0.03). No other subgroup analyses resulted in a statistically significant association.. This study does not provide strong support for an association between prostate cancer risk and circulating concentrations of folate or vitamin B(12). Elevated concentrations of vitamin B(12) may be associated with an increased risk for advanced stage prostate cancer, but this association requires examination in other large prospective studies.

Topics: Case-Control Studies; Chi-Square Distribution; Europe; Folic Acid; Humans; Incidence; Logistic Models; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Prostatic Neoplasms; Registries; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Vitamin B 12

It has been proposed that folate and polymorphisms of the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), which regulates influx of folate from DNA synthesis and repair to methylation reactions, are involved in the aetiology of cancer. To relate the MTHFR 677C-->T and 1298A-->C polymorphisms to the risk of prostate cancer, taking into consideration prospective plasma levels of folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine. The design was a case-control study of 223 prostate cancer cases and 435 matched controls nested within the population-based Northern Sweden Health and Disease Cohort. Neither the MTHFR 677C-->T nor the MTHFR 1298A-->C polymorphism was statistically significantly associated with the risk of prostate cancer in univariate analysis by conditional logistic regression. After adjustment for MTHFR 1298A-->C, plasma folate, vitamin B12, homocysteine, body mass index and smoking, the odds ratios were, for the 677 CT genotype, 1.52 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-2.26], and for TT, 0.91 (95% CI 0.41-2.04). Our previously reported observation of a possible increase in the risk of prostate cancer at high plasma folate levels was attributable in this study to subjects having the MTHFR 677C-->T polymorphism. We found that the MTHFR 677C-->T polymorphism is not likely to have a major role in the development of prostate cancer, although it may possibly increase the risk in combination with high plasma folate levels. Further investigation in larger studies is warranted.

Topics: Adult; Case-Control Studies; Folic Acid; Genotype; Homocysteine; Humans; Male; Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (NADPH2); Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Polymorphism, Genetic; Prospective Studies; Prostatic Neoplasms; Risk; Sweden; Vitamin B 12

Folate is hypothesized to be inversely associated with the risk of several cancers, but such a potential association has not been well studied for prostate cancer. Vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, methionine, and alcohol can influence folate-related metabolism.. The objective was to investigate the associations between dietary factors of one-carbon metabolism and prostate cancer risk within the alpha-Tocopherol, beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study.. Of the cohort's 27 111 Finnish male smokers aged 50-69 y who had complete dietary data, 1270 had a diagnosis of incident prostate cancer between 1985 and 2002. Folate, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, methionine, and alcohol intakes were estimated from a 276-item modified dietary history questionnaire. Cox proportional hazard models, adjusted for age and vitamin supplement use, estimated relative risks (RR) and 95% CIs.. Vitamin B-6 intake was inversely associated with prostate cancer risk (RR for highest versus lowest quintile: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.72, 1.07; P for trend = 0.045), whereas vitamin B-12 intake was associated with significantly increased risk (RR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.96; P for trend = 0.01). No association between folate or alcohol intake and prostate cancer risk was observed. No differences were found in the above associations according to stage of disease or subgroups of several potential effect modifiers.. We found no convincing evidence for a protective role of one-carbon metabolism against prostate cancer, although these observations can be generalized only to smokers. The possible modest protective association with vitamin B-6 and the significantly elevated risk with vitamin B-12 intake warrant further investigation.

Topics: Aged; Alcohol Drinking; alpha-Tocopherol; beta Carotene; Carbon; Case-Control Studies; Dietary Supplements; Double-Blind Method; Ethanol; Finland; Folic Acid; Humans; Male; Methionine; Middle Aged; One-Carbon Group Transferases; Proportional Hazards Models; Prospective Studies; Prostatic Neoplasms; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Smoking; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 6

The role of folate metabolism in cancer development is a topic of much current interest, with maintenance of adequate folate status tending to show a protective effect. Aberrant methylation, primarily hypermethylation of certain genes including tumor suppressors, has been implicated in prostate cancer development. Folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine are essential for methyl group metabolism and thus also for DNA methylation. We related plasma levels of these factors to prostate cancer risk in a prospective study of 254 case subjects and 514 matched control subjects. Increasing plasma levels of folate and vitamin B12 were statistically significantly associated with increased prostate cancer risk, with an odds ratio of 1.60 (95% CI = 1.03-2.49; p(trend) = 0.02) for folate and 2.63 (95% CI = 1.61-4.29; p(trend) < 0.001) for vitamin B12 for highest vs. lowest quartile. Increasing plasma homocysteine levels were associated with a reduced risk of borderline significance (OR = 0.67; 95% CI = 0.43-1.04; p(trend) = 0.08). After adjustment for the other 2 plasma variables, body mass index and smoking, a statistically significant increased risk remained only for vitamin B12 (OR = 2.96; 95% CI = 1.58-5.55; p(trend) = 0.001). Adjusted OR for folate and homocysteine were 1.30 (95% CI = 0.74-2.24; p(trend) = 0.17) and 0.91 (95% CI = 0.51-1.58; p(trend) = 0.60), respectively. Our results suggest that factors contributing to folate status are not protective against prostate cancer. On the contrary, vitamin B12, associated with an up to 3-fold increase in risk, and possibly also folate, may even stimulate prostate cancer development. These findings are novel and should be explored further in future studies.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Bone Neoplasms; Case-Control Studies; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Lymphatic Metastasis; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Prostatic Neoplasms; Risk Factors; Sweden; Vitamin B 12

Topics: Aged; Case-Control Studies; Diet; Dietary Supplements; DNA Methylation; DNA Repair; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Prostatic Neoplasms; Risk Factors; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 6

The mechanism by which oral oestrogen-containing contraceptives in women and oestrogen treatment of prostatic carcinoma in men increases the risk of vascular disease is unclear. These agents decrease serum concentrations of vitamin B12, pyridoxal 5-phosphate, and folate, all of which are essential for the metabolism of the atherogenic amino acid homocysteine. We found serum vitamin B12 concentrations to be lower in 17 women using oral contraceptives (219 +/- 84 pmol l-1) than in 13 age-matched female controls (385 +/- 129, p less than 0.001), but similar values were obtained in the two groups both for fasting plasma homocysteine concentrations (9.1 +/- 2.4 vs 9.2 +/- 3.6 mumol l-1) and for the increase in these concentrations after methionine loading (19.2 +/- 7.5 vs 17.8 +/- 5.2 mumol l-1). In five men with prostatic carcinoma, high-dose oestrogen treatment decreased serum vitamin B12 concentrations by a mean of 30% (p less than 0.05) within 4 weeks, during which fasting plasma homocysteine concentrations decreased (13.8 +/- 4.5 vs 10.5 +/- 2.8 mumol l-1) and response to methionine loading increased (12.4 +/- 3.4 vs 17.3 +/- 5.1 mumol l-1), though the latter changes were non-significant. Our findings do not support the hypothesis that hyperhomocysteinemia explains cardiovascular risk in women using oral oestrogen-containing contraceptives, or in oestrogen-treated men with prostatic carcinoma.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Cardiovascular Diseases; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; Estradiol Congeners; Female; Folic Acid; Homocysteine; Humans; Male; Methionine; Prostatic Neoplasms; Risk Factors; Vitamin B 12

DNA polymerase activity was demonstrated in sera from patients with diseases affecting DNA metabolism in different ways, i.e. malignant, viral and vitamin B12-deficiency disease. Using the current procedure, such activity was only detected in sera with pathological levels of thymidine kinase, i.e. no reference level of DNA polymerase activity in healthy individuals could be established. The activity detected for all three types of disease was similar to that of proliferation-associated DNA polymerase alpha, both with respect to sensitivity to different chemical inhibitors and to inhibition by monoclonal antibody. The levels of activity of DNA polymerase and thymidine kinase showed a wide variation and were not significantly correlated when all DNA polymerase-positive sera were included in the analysis. The variation in the ratio of polymerase to kinase activity within a given disease was smaller and the distributions of the enzyme ratios induced by the three types of disease differed significantly. Considering that DNA polymerase activity can be quantitated directly in crude sera, and that such analyses seems to give biological and clinical information, the development of an assay with improved sensitivity for extensive studies is justified.

Topics: Biomarkers; Biomarkers, Tumor; Cytomegalovirus Infections; DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; Humans; Kinetics; Leukemia; Male; Prostatic Neoplasms; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency

The influence of external abdominal irradiation and cytostatic therapy on the vitamin status was studied in patients with cancer of the uterus, bladder or prostate and in patients with malignant lymphoma. It was found that the vitamin status of these patients at the beginning of therapy in general was adequate, though vitamin A and vitamin D levels were reduced. During radiotherapy decreases of vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels were observed. Chemotherapy caused a decrease of the folic acid levels after a few months. No clinical symptoms of vitamin deficiency were observed.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Calcifediol; Female; Humans; Lymphoma; Male; Neoplasms; Prostatic Neoplasms; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms; Uterine Neoplasms; Vitamin A; Vitamin B 12; Vitamin E; Vitamins

Topics: Anemia; Biopsy, Needle; Castration; Cholesterol; Diethylstilbestrol; Estrogens; Folic Acid; Hematuria; Humans; Iron; Lipoproteins; Lymph Nodes; Male; Neoplasm Metastasis; Prostatectomy; Prostatic Neoplasms; Prostatitis; Testosterone; Triglycerides; Uremia; Urination Disorders; Vitamin B 12

Topics: Anemia, Pernicious; Calcium; Calcium Isotopes; Humans; Kidney Calculi; Male; Prostatic Neoplasms; Vitamin B 12; Zinc; Zinc Isotopes

Topics: Adult; Aged; Alkaline Phosphatase; Female; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Humans; Isoenzymes; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Male; Middle Aged; Prostatic Neoplasms; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms; Vitamin B 12

Topics: Factor V; Fibrin; Fibrinolysis; Humans; Male; Prostatic Neoplasms; Vitamin B 12