A study to determine plasma antioxidant concentrations in patients with Barrett’s oesophagus
- 1Surgery Department, Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Llantrisant CF72 8XR, UK
- 2Medical Biochemistry Department, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK
- 3Biochemistry Department, Royal Glamorgan Hospital
- Correspondence to: Mr D J Bowrey Department of Surgery, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XN, UK; bowreydialstart.net
- Accepted 24 November 2004
Abstract
Background: Dietary questionnaire studies have suggested that patients with oesophageal adenocarcinoma are deficient in antioxidants. It is not known whether the same holds true for patients with the precursor lesion, Barrett’s oesophagus.
Aims: To evaluate the hypothesis that patients with Barrett’s oesophagus are deficient in antioxidants compared with patients without evidence of Barrett’s oesophagus.
Patients and methods: Plasma antioxidant profiles (copper, selenium, zinc; vitamins A, C, and E; carotenoids) were determined for patients with Barrett’s oesophagus (n = 36), patients with erosive oesophagitis (n = 32), and patient controls (n = 35).
Results: Patients with Barrett’s oesophagus had significantly lower plasma concentrations of selenium, vitamin C, β cryptoxanthine, and xanthophyll compared with the other groups.
Conclusions: This study confirms the hypothesis that patients with Barrett’s oesophagus are deficient in certain antioxidants.
