[Ascorbic acid and cancer of the duodenum. An experimental study (author's transl)]

Ascorbic acid and gastrointestinal cancer

A literature review was made to critically evaluate the ability of ascorbic acid to modulate the incidence of gastrointestinal cancer. A comparison of preclinical, clinical, and epidemiological studies indicated that evidence for ascorbic acid as an inhibitor of carcinogenesis is stronger with regard to gastric cancer and weaker with regard to esophageal and colon/rectal cancer. Insufficient evidence currently exists regarding the oral cavity and the use of ascorbic acid in precancerous conditions such as polyposis and leukoplakia.

Effect of beta-carotene, sodium ascorbate and cellulose on 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced intestinal carcinogenesis in rats

Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a diet containing either 0.005% beta-carotene, 0.02% sodium ascorbate or 1.5% cellulose for 14 weeks. Beginning on day 3, all animals were also given weekly subcutaneous injections of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH; 20 mg/kg body wt.) throughout a 12-week period. The experimental diet was continued for an additional 14 weeks. At the end of the 26th week, surviving animals were sacrificed and the incidence of intestinal carcinomas was examined. A significantly lower incidence of carcinomas was observed in the beta-carotene-fed group (55.0%), compared with that in the control group given DMH (82.1%).

The role of ascorbic acid in carcinogenesis

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient whose protective role in carcinogenesis has been discussed for more than 50 years. Epidemiologic studies suggest that the consumption of vitamin C-rich foods is associated with a lower risk of cancers of the esophagus and stomach. The observation that cancer patients have low leukocyte vitamin C levels led to therapeutic trials the results of which are controversial; the hypothesis that vitamin C acts like a drug must be questioned. On the other hand, ascorbic acid interacts with various tumor-inducing compounds, such as the precursors of N-nitroso compounds, to prevent the formation of tumors. Experiments with animals and cell cultures indicate that ascorbic acid can interfere with the metabolism of tumor promoters. It has also been postulated that ascorbic acid helps to prevent cancer by enhancing cellular immunity. In general, evidence suggests that vitamin C can inhibit the formation of some carcinogens.

[Vitamin C in a long-term trial is without effect on experimental carcinogenesis]

This long-term study deals with the effect of ascorbic acid on chemically induced carcinogenesis of the small intestine in rats. Carcinoma was induced in 27 animals by application of N-Ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (ENNG) alone in the drinking water (120 mg/1). The average survival time was 238 ( 40) days. The addition of large amounts of ascorbic acid to the food (3 g/100 g food) did not suppress the development of tumors. On the contrary, a significant reduction in the survival time was seen. All animals receiving ENNG and ascorbic acid only lived 207 ( 45) days on average. Neither histological type of tumor spread was influenced by the use of ascorbic acid. Giving ascorbic acid alone had no effect on the survival time and did not lead to changes in the tissue of the small intestine.