Serum levels of folate, lycopene, β-carotene, retinol and vitamin E and prostate cancer risk

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2010 Oct;64(10):1235-8. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.124. Epub 2010 Aug 4.

Abstract

Previous studies relating increased serum levels of folate and fat-soluble vitamins to prostate cancer risk have variously shown null associations or to either decrease or increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. Prospective studies of serum folate levels have been reported to show a null association and increased serum levels to either decrease or increase the risk of subsequently developing prostate cancer. Similarly, serum β-carotene and lycopene levels have either been reported to be inversely correlated or not associated with prostate cancer risk. Using a prospective nested case-control study design, which minimized the possibility of disease effects on serum-vitamin concentrations, we report null associations for serum concentrations of folate, lycopene, β-carotene, vitamin A and vitamin E, and subsequent development of prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carotenoids / blood*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cohort Studies
  • Folic Acid / blood*
  • Humans
  • Lycopene
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / blood*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Vitamin A / blood*
  • Vitamin E / blood*
  • beta Carotene / blood

Substances

  • beta Carotene
  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin E
  • Carotenoids
  • Folic Acid
  • Lycopene