EFFECTIVENESS OF Β-Carotene IN CANCER CHEMOPREVENTION

Genetic polymorphisms in the cytokine genes and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in low-risk non-Asians of USA

“…There is laboratory evidence that dietary antioxidants can stimulate immune system toward antiviral activity (37). Populationbased surveys have documented higher levels of exposure to selenium and vitamin A in USA versus native Chinese populations (38)(39)(40). In addition, dietary aflatoxin is a recognized major contributor of HCC risk in China, while it is tightly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration in this country, and thus considered to be a minor, if at all, player in contributing to the HCC burden in the USA.…”

β-Carotene breakdown products may impair mitochondrial functions — potential side effects of high-dose β-carotene supplementation

“…Since BC is metabolized further to retinoic acid, it is understandable why the substance was seen and proven in vitro as a positive agent regarding immunoenhancement [94,95]. Apart from this, a number of observational trials showed that high intake of BC is related to a lower incidence of degenerative diseases and certain types of cancer [96,97]. However, the relevance and necessity of supplementation of pharmacological doses of BC are critically discussed since intervention trials failed [14].…”

Carotenoid supply in breast-fed and formula-fed neonates

“…Some of them function as provitamin A, but they also serve as antioxidants. Carotenoid action in vitro is associated with lowered DNA damage, and in epidemiological studies with a lowered incidence of certain types of cancer, cataract, or of ischemic heart disease [2,8,17,19]. Carotenoids are of importance in the process of aging and play an important role in immuno-enhancement [1,11].…”