Increased Leiden mutation and decreased serum levels of vitamin A and zeaxantin in patients with oesophageal, gastric, liver, pancreatic and colorectal cancers

Backgrounds: The increased prevalence of Leiden mutation (replacement of Arg by Glu of residue 506 in the factor V molecule, FVR, 506 Q) and the decrease serum levels of retinoids (vitamin A, zeaxantin, lutein, α- and ß-carotene) have been proven in the patients in chronic bowel inflammatory diseases and colon polyposis (Mózsik et. al.: J. Physiol (Paris). 95: 488–494, 2001).

Aim: was to study of changes in Leiden mutation and in serum levels of vitamin A and α- and ß-carotene (α- and ß-cryptoxantin, zeaxantin) inpatients with oesophageal (n=8), gastric (n=21), hepatocellular (n=15), pancreatic (n=10), and colorectal (n=44) cancers.

Methods and patients: The Leiden mutation by PCR technique and serum levels of retinoids by HPLC were measured in the different gastrointestinal (oesophageal, gastric, hepatocellular, pancreatic and colorectal) cancer in comparison with 57 healthy person.

Results: 1.) The prevalence of Leiden mutation increased significantly (21, 23, 21, 25, 35% vs. 5,5–6%; p values<0,01), meanwhile the serum levels of vitamin A, zeaxantin decreased significantly in (p<0,01 or 0,001) oesophageal, gastric, hepatocellular, pancreatic and colorectal cancers, except of vitamin A in patients with pancreatic cancer. 2.) Not significant changes were obtained in the serum levels of other retinoids. Conclusions: 1.) Genetic (Leiden mutation) and nutritional (retinoids) factors are together present in patients with different GI cancer; 2.) The vitamin A activity does not necessary for cancer prevention; 3.) The production of vitamin A is inhibited from its provitamins (α- and ß-carotene). This study was supported by the grant of the Hungarian Ministry of Welfare and Health. (ETT 595/2003.).