Nitrosamine, nitrate and nitrite in relation to gastric cancer: A case-control study in Marseille, France

Abstract

A case-control study on gastric cancer and diet was conducted in Marseille (France). Ninety-two patients with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma and 128 controls undergoing functional reeducation for injuries or trauma were interviewed by a trained dietician using a dietary history questionnaire on their usual diet during the year preceding the first symptoms for cases, or preceding interview for controls. Intake of nitrite, nitrate and pre-formed N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) from food was estimated using a food composition table compiled ad hoc. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated after adjustment for age, sex, occupation and calorie intake. The results indicated that high intake of NDMA was associated with increased risk for gastric cancer. The ORs for the second and third tertile of NDMA intake were: OR2 = 4.13 (95% CI = 0.93 18.27) and OR3 = 7.00 (95% CI = 1.85 to 26.46). Intake of nitrate and nitrite was not associated with increased risk of stomach cancer. Consumption of vegetables was protective in general and independent of their estimated nitrate content.

Intake of nitrate and nitrite and the risk of gastric cancer: a prospective cohort study

“…In most studies a statistically significant inverse association was reported between nitrate intake from foods and gastric cancer risk (Risch et al, 1985;Buiatti et al, 1990;Boeing et al, 1991;Gonzalez et al, 1994;Hansson et al, 1994;La Vecchia et al, 1994), which disappeared after additional adjustment for potential confounders (mainly intake of vitamin C and beta-carotene). In all case-control studies on nitrate and gastric cancer risk, a positive association was reported (Risch et al, 1985;Buiatti et al, 1990;Gonzalez et al, 1994;Hansson et al, 1994;La Vecchia et al, 1994;Pobel et al, 1995) which reduced after adjustment for intake of other nutrients.…”

“…Case-control studies have mainly investigated the association between nitrate or nitrite from foods and gastric cancer risk (Risch et al, 1985;Buiatti et al, 1990;Boeing et al, 1991;Palli et al, 1992;Gonzalez et al, 1994;Hansson et al, 1994;La Vecchia et al, 1994;Pobel et al, 1995). In most studies a statistically significant inverse association was reported between nitrate intake from foods and gastric cancer risk (Risch et al, 1985;Buiatti et al, 1990;Boeing et al, 1991;Gonzalez et al, 1994;Hansson et al, 1994;La Vecchia et al, 1994), which disappeared after additional adjustment for potential confounders (mainly intake of vitamin C and beta-carotene).…”

“…1983: Gilli et al 1984: Beresford. 1985: Risch et al 1985: Buiatti et al 1990: Boein, et al 1991: Leclerc et al 1991: Palli et al 1992: Rademacher et al 1992: Xu et al 1992: Gonzalez et al 1994: Hansson et al 1994: La Vecchia et al 1994: Pobel et al 1995 However. in most of these studies high nitrate consumption via ingested food showed no association with gastric cancer risk or even an inverse association.…”

Processed meat consumption, dietary nitrosamines and stomach cancer risk in a cohort of Swedish women

“…However, that conclusion was based mainly on casecontrol studies, which are more susceptible to systematic bias than prospective cohort studies, and recent prospective studies have been inconsistent. [3][4][5][6] Besides much salt and nitrites or nitrates, processed meat products like bacon, sausage and ham often contains carcinogenic nitrosamines.7-9 N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is the most frequently occurring nitrosamine in foods.10 Nitrosamines can also be formed endogenously in the stomach through nitrosation of nitrite with amines.7 To date, 5 case-control studies [11][12][13][14][15] and only 1 prospective cohort study 3 with a small number of cases (n 5 68) have investigated the association between NDMA or nitrosamine intake and stomach cancer risk, with 4 case-control studies [11][12][13]15 showing a positive association.To examine whether associations exist between intake of processed meat and NDMA and risk of stomach cancer, we used prospective data from the Swedish Mammography Cohort, a large population-based cohort with 18 years of follow-up and repeated assessments of diet. In addition, we evaluated risk of stomach cancer in relation to consumption of red meat, poultry and fish.…”

“…10 Nitrosamines can also be formed endogenously in the stomach through nitrosation of nitrite with amines. 7 To date, 5 case-control studies [11][12][13][14][15] and only 1 prospective cohort study 3 with a small number of cases (n 5 68) have investigated the association between NDMA or nitrosamine intake and stomach cancer risk, with 4 case-control studies [11][12][13]15 showing a positive association.…”