Plasma and esophageal mucosal levels of vitamin C: Role in the pathogenesis and neoplastic progression of Barrett's esophagus

• Published in: Digestive diseases and sciences Vol. 49; no. 6; pp. 914 - 919
• Main Authors: FOUNTOULAKIS, A, MARTIN, I. G, WHITE, K. L. M, DIXON, M. F, CADE, J. E, SUE-LING, H. M, WILD, C. P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01-06-2004; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Antioxidants - administration & dosage; Antioxidants - metabolism; Ascorbic Acid - administration & dosage; Ascorbic Acid - metabolism; Barrett Esophagus - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; Diet; Esophagus; Esophagus - metabolism; Esophagus - pathology; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Gastric Mucosa - metabolism; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Metaplasia - metabolism; Middle Aged; Other diseases. Semiology; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Vitamin A - blood; Vitamin E - blood; Gastroesophageal reflux; Oxidative stress; Prognosis; Disease; Nutrition; Pathogenesis; vitamin C; Mucosa; Esophageal disease; Vitamin; Metabolic diseases; Barrett esophagus; Malignant tumor; Blood plasma; Gastroenterology; Barrett's esophagus; Digestive diseases; Evolution; gastroesophageal reflux disease
• ISSN: 0163-2116; 1573-2568
• DOI: 10.1023/B:DDAS.0000034548.89117.d6

Antioxidants may protect against the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Blood samples and endoscopic biopsies (squamous, Barrett's, and gastric mucosa) were obtained from 48 Barrett's esophagus (BE) patients, while 48 age- and sex-matched controls provided blood samples only. Plasma concentrations of vitamins A, C, and E were measured in all subjects, while vitamin C was measured in relation to the type of mucosa. Plasma total vitamin C level, but not vitamin A or E, was lower in BE patients compared to controls (P = 0.014). Tissue levels of total vitamin C were significantly lower in Barrett's compared with squamous mucosa (P = 0.047). A positive association was observed between plasma vitamin C and dietary intake of vitamin C, while there was an inverse association with alcohol consumption. The lower levels of vitamin C in plasma of BE patients and in Barrett's mucosa compared with squamous mucosa are consistent with oxidative stress being of importance in the pathogenesis and neoplastic progression of BE.