Abstract
Epidemiological and animal studies on vitamin A and its analogues support the hypothesis that β-carotene can prevent cancer in humans1. However, chemoprevention trials have unexpectedly shown that β-carotene, either alone or in combination with vitamin A or vitamin E, actually increases lung-cancer incidence and mortality in heavy smokers and asbestos workers2,3,4. We find that β-carotene in rat lung produces a powerful booster effect on phase I carcinogen-bioactivating enzymes, including activators of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and that this induction is associated with the generation of oxidative stress. Our findings might explain why β-carotene supplementation increases the risk of lung cancer in smokers.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Ziegler, R. G. et al. J. Natl Cancer Inst. 88, 612–615 (1996).
The α-Tocopherol, & β-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study Group N. Engl. J. Med. 330, 1029–1035 (1994).
Omenn, G. S. et al. J. Natl Cancer Inst. 88, 1550–1558 (1996).
Omenn, G. S. et al. N. Engl. J. Med. 334, 1150–1155 (1996).
Hinds, T. S., West, W. L. & Knight, E. M. Ther. Rev. 37, 551–558 (1997).
Azuine, M. A., Goswami, U. C., Kayal, J. J. & Bhide, S. V. Nutr. Cancer 17, 287–295 (1992).
Paolini, M., Biagi, G., Bauer, C. & Cantelli-Forrti, G. Trends Pharmacol. Sci. 15, 322–323 (1994).
Paolini, M. et al. Br. J. Pharmacol. 122, 344–350 (1997).
Bartsch, H. & Hietanen, E. Environ. Health Perspect. 104 (suppl. 3), 569-577 (1996).
Hayashi et al. Jpn. J. Cancer Res. 83, 866–870 (1992).
Mooney, L. A. et al. Carcinogenesis 18, 503–509 (1997).
Rice-Evans, C. A., Sampson, J., Bramley, P. M. & Holloway, D. E. et al. Free Radical Res. 26, 381–398 (1997).
Rowe, P. M. Lancet 348, 1369 (1996).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Paolini, M., Cantelli-Forti, G., Perocco, P. et al. Co-carcinogenic effect of β-carotene. Nature 398, 760–761 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/19655
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/19655
This article is cited by
-
E-cigarettes induce toxicological effects that can raise the cancer risk
Scientific Reports (2017)
-
Role of different vehicles in carotenoids delivery and their influence on cell viability, cell cycle progression, and induction of apoptosis in HeLa cells
Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (2015)
-
Solid-phase extraction and GC-MS analysis of potentially genotoxic cleavage products of β-carotene in primary cell cultures
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (2011)
-
Effects of dietary carotenoids on mouse lung genomic profiles and their modulatory effects on short-term cigarette smoke exposures
Genes & Nutrition (2009)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.