Serum vitamin C, Beta-carotene and retinol levels in liver and gastrointestinal systems diseases

Gastrointestinal system diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Vita min C, b-carotene and retinol, which have antioxidant properties, play an important role in the prevention of lipid peroxidation and free radical development in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between serum levels of vitamin C, b-carotene and retinol with ulcers, cirrhosis, esophagus and stomach cancer diseases. In this study, vitamin C, b- carotene and retinol levels were evaluated in the serum of 35 ulcers, 40 esophageal cancer, 30 gastric cancer, 25 liver cirrhosis patients and 50 healthy individuals. Vita mins were analyzed spectrophotometrically. Comparison of serum vitamin C levels of the patient groups with the control group, shows a statistically significant decrease in ulcerative patients and increase in esophageal cancer patients (p<0.05). No statistically significant difference was found in vitamin C levels in patients with gastric cancer and cirrhosis (p>0.05). b-carotene and retinol levels were high in patients with ulcers, lower in patients with esophagus and cirrhosis (p<0.05). Serum b-carotene and retinol levels were not statistically significant in patients with gastric cancer (p>0.05). b-carotene and retinol decreased significantly in the esophagus-stomach cancers and liver cirrhosis whereas an increase in vitamin C was observed. We believe that our research will provide useful information for incorporating antioxidant agents into the diet. For this purpose, diets rich in antioxidant vitamins can play a protective role in the prevention and progression of these diseases