Dietary carotenoids in normal and pathological tissues of corpus uteri.

Abstract

Carotenoids and retinyl esters are the source of vitamin A in the human body and its natural derivatives takes part in the regulation of cell replication and differentiation in the human endometrium, may induce the leiomyoma growth and has a role in differentiation of endometrial adenocarcinoma. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the presence of carotenoids in tissues from the normal uterus and from various tumors of the uterine corpus, as well as to compare the total content, major carotenoids and % of carotenoids belonging to the provitamin A group between the tissues examined. Using three independent methods of chromatography (CC, TLC, HPLC) we analysed 140 human samples. We identified 13 carotenoids belonging to the eg. provitamin A group and epoxy carotenoids. In all the samples β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, violaxanthin and mutatoxanthin were isolated. In normal tissues, the mean carotenoid content was the highest in the follicular phase endometrium (9.9 μg/g), while the highest percentage of carotenoids belonging to provitamin A group was found in the luteal phase (18.2%). In the pathological group, the highest mean values were demonstrated for epithelial lesions (8.0 μg/g), and within this group -in endometrioid adenocarcinoma (10.8 μg/g). In both groups, violaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein epoxide and mutatoxanthin were the predominant carotenoids. We have demonstrated that all uterine tissues show a concentration of β-carotene and β-cryptoxanthin, being the source of vitamin A. The highest total values of carotenoids obtained in the group of endometrioid adenocarcinoma seem to confirm certain enzymatic defects in carotenoid metabolism in the course of the neoplastic process or some metabolic modifications. The finding of astaxanthin -the major antioxidant among carotenoids -in 63% of tissues examined is also significant.

Role of antioxidant vitamins in the development of uterine fibroids: a literature review

“…Varying degrees of presence of these compounds were observed in different pathologies of the uterus and phases of the menstrual cycle. These data also support the role of vitamin A in the development of fibroids (24) . Martin et al presented an analysis of the U.S. NHANES study (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) covering 887 women aged 20-49 years, regarding the influence of nutrients on the development of uterine fibroids.…”

“…W badaniach tkanek macicy pochodzących od operowanych kobiet oznaczono stężenia karotenoidów należących do grupy prowitaminy A. Stwierdzono ich zróżnicowaną obecność w różnych patologiach macicy oraz różnych fazach cyklu miesięcznego. Dane te wspierają również rolę witaminy A w rozwoju mięśniaków (24) . Martin i wsp.…”

Alginate modified nanostructured calcium carbonate with enhanced delivery efficiency for gene and drug delivery

“…After the treatment by DOX, the apoptosis is the major mechanism of cell death. 27,28 In the current study, due to the cell inhibition effect of DOX, the gene expression obviously reduces. Nevertheless, the luciferase expression levels of alginate/ CaCO 3 /DNA/DOX nanoparticles are still much higher than that of CaCO 3 /DNA/DOX nanoparticles, implying that the alginate modification could significantly improve the gene delivery efficacy even though the cell growth is inhibited stronger by the alginate modified co-delivery systems.…”

Dietary Natural Compounds and Vitamins as Potential Cofactors in Uterine Fibroids Growth and Development

“…Terry et al observed a similar lack of correlation, stressing that cigarette smoking combined with high β-carotene intake exacerbated the risk of fibroid formation [19]. Czeczuga-Semeniuk analyzed the presence of different types of carotenoids (β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, and mutatoxanthin) in tissue of a healthy uterus and various uterine tumors, including myomas [42]. Lutein epoxide and mutatoxanthin were predominant in myomas.…”