Associations of serum vitamin A and carotenoid levels with markers of prostate cancer detection among US men

摘要

Associations of serum vitamin A and carotenoid levels with markers of prostate cancer detection were evaluated among 3927 U.S. men, 40–85 years of age, who participated in the 2001–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Five recommended definitions of prostate cancer detection were adopted using total and free prostate specific antigen (tPSA and fPSA) laboratory measurements. Men were identified as high-risk based on alternative cut-offs, namely, tPSA>10 ng/ml, tPSA>4 ng/ml, tPSA> 2.5 ng/ml, %fPSA<25% and %fPSA<15%. %fPSA was defined as (fPSA÷tPSA)×100%. Serum levels of vitamin A (retinol, retinyl esters) and carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein+zeaxanthin, lycopene) were defined as quartiles and examined as risk/protective factors for PSA biomarkers. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using binary logistic models. After adjustment for known demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle confounders, high serum levels of retinyl esters (tPSA>10 ng/ml: Q4vs.Q1→OR=0.38, 95% CI: 0.14–1.00) and α-carotene (%fPSA<15%: Q4vs.Q1→OR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.32–0.76) were associated with a lower odds whereas high serum level of lycopene (tPSA>2.5 ng/ml: Q4vs.Q1→OR=1.49, 95% CI: 1.01–2.14) was associated with a greater odds of prostate cancer detection. Apart from the three significant associations observed, no other exposure-outcome association was significant. Monitoring specific antioxidant levels may be helpful in early detection of prostate cancer.