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Plasma and Esophageal Mucosal Levels of Vitamin C: Role in the Pathogenesis and Neoplastic Progression of Barrett's Esophagus

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Abstract

Antioxidants may protect against the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. Blood samplesand endoscopic biopsies (squamous, Barrett's, and gastric mucosa) were obtained from 48 Barrett'sesophagus (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 wasmeasured 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 weresignificantly lower in Barrett's compared with squamous mucosa ( P = 0.047). Apositive associationwas observed between plasma vitamin C and dietary intake of vitamin C, while there was an inverseassociation with alcohol consumption. The lower levels of vitamin C in plasma of BE patients andin Barrett's mucosa compared with squamous mucosa are consistent with oxidative stress being ofimportance in the pathogenesis and neoplastic progression of BE.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Academic Unit of Surgery, USA

    A. Fountoulakis, I. G. Martin & H. M. Sue-Ling

  2. Molecular Epidemiology Unit, Epidemiology and Health Services Research, USA

    A. Fountoulakis, K. L. M. White & C. P. Wild

  3. Academic Unit of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, USA

    M. F. Dixon

  4. Nuffield Institute for Health, Leeds, UK

    J. E. Cade

Authors
  1. A. Fountoulakis
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  2. I. G. Martin
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  3. K. L. M. White
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  4. M. F. Dixon
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  5. J. E. Cade
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  6. H. M. Sue-Ling
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  7. C. P. Wild
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Fountoulakis, A., Martin, I.G., White, K.L.M. et al. Plasma and Esophageal Mucosal Levels of Vitamin C: Role in the Pathogenesis and Neoplastic Progression of Barrett's Esophagus. Dig Dis Sci 49, 914–919 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:DDAS.0000034548.89117.d6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:DDAS.0000034548.89117.d6

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