Antioxidant micronutrients and gastric cancer

A review of the literature reveals a very consistent association between gastric cancer risk and low intake of fruits and vegetables. This observation has been documented in many countries with different epidemiological techniques: interpopulation correlations, case-control studies and follow up of several cohorts. Low serum levels of beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol, but not vitamin C, have been reported in patients with gastric dysplasia. Helicobacter pylori infection has been associated with lower concentrations of vitamin C in the gastric juice. Detailed studies in Colombia and New Orleans have shown a gradient towards lower concentration in the gastric juice and lower ratios of gastric juice to serum concentration of vitamin C in the following comparisons: i) lower vs. higher gastric cancer risk; ii) mild vs. advanced gastric precancerous histopathologic lesions; iii) mild vs. advanced degree of atrophy; iv) mild vs. advanced damage to the surface gastric epithelium; v) lower vs. higher gastric pH. Such a gradient is not observed for serum levels of vitamin C. The role of infection with H. pylori in the metabolism of ascorbic acid is discussed, as well as the possible role of ascorbic acid in inhibiting cell damage by reactive oxygen species.