Carotenoids are decreased in biopsies from colorectal adenomas

Does variability in carotenoid composition and concentration in tissues of the breast and reproductive tract in women depend on type of lesion?

“…Our study confirmed higher mean values of β-carotene were found only in endometrial carcinoma as compared to the unchanged endometrium [40]. Nevertheless, Mühlhöfer et al confirmed the occurrence of higher levels of carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin) in unchanged tissue as compared to neoplastic tissue [42]. The relationship between β-carotene and cancer are not simple and particularly associated with nutritional aspects and disease prevention.…”

Dietary Carotenoids and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in a Pooled Analysis of 11 Cohort Studies

“…Patients with adenomatous polyps (precursor lesions of colorectal cancer) have lower concentrations of specific carotenoids in their colonic mucosa compared with controls, despite having similar serum concentrations (62). Colorectal adenomatous tissue also has been shown to have lower concentrations of specific carotenoids compared with noninvolved mucosal tissue (63). These findings support the suggestion that oxidative stress may be higher in the colonic mucosa of patients with adenomatous polyps.…”

Evaluation of antigenotoxic effects of carotenoids from green algae Chlorococcum humicola using human lymphocytes

“…Toniolo found that levels of b-cryptoxanthin and lutein in serum were linked with reduced risk of breast cancer in a dose dependent fashion [32] . Beta carotene, lycopene, b-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein are reduced in colorectal adenomas, suggesting that mucosal carotenoids could serve as biomarkers for predisposition to colorectal cancer [33] . Women with high circulating concentrations of b-cryptoxanthin and tocopherol may be at a reduced risk of cervical atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance [34] .…”