Interactions of coffee consumption and postmenopausal hormone use in relation to breast cancer risk in UK Biobank

Abstract

Purpose

We investigated the association of coffee consumption with postmenopausal breast cancer risk, overall and by the status of postmenopausal hormone therapy (PMH).

Methods

This study included 126,182 postmenopausal women (2,636 with breast cancer and 123,546 without) from UK Biobank. Cancer diagnoses were ascertained through the linkage to the UK National Health Service Central Registers. Information on breast cancer risk factors and coffee consumption was collected at baseline and updated during follow-up. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to evaluate associations between coffee consumption and breast cancer, overall and in stratified analyses by woman's PMH status (none, past, current).

Results

In the overall analysis, coffee consumption was not associated with breast cancer risk (Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.00, 95% CI 0.91–1.11 for 2–3 cups/day, and HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.87–1.10 for ≥ 4 cups/day, p-trend = 0.69). Women with no PMH history who consumed ≥ 4 cups/day had a 16% reduced risk of breast cancer as compared to women who consumed < 7 cups/week (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.71–1.00). Among women with past PMH, those consuming ≥ 4 cups/day had a 22% greater risk of breast cancer than women consuming < 7 cups/week (HR 1.22, 95% CI 1.01–1.47). No association was found among current PMH users. We found no significant interaction between PMH and coffee consumption (p = 0.24).

Conclusions

Coffee consumption might be associated with increased breast cancer risk in women who used hormones in the past. Further studies are warranted to confirm these findings and elucidate potential biological mechanisms underlying the observed associations.

https://ift.tt/2EM6pHC

Repurposing drugs in oncology (ReDO)—selective PDE5 inhibitors as anti-cancer agents

Pan Pantziarka, Vidula Sukhatme, Sergio Crispino, Gauthier Bouche, Lydie Meheus and Vikas P Sukhatme

https://ift.tt/2HrdOBp

Risk sharing agreements, present and future

Francisco R Gonçalves, Susana Santos, Catarina Silva and Gabriela Sousa

https://ift.tt/2vfCQi3

Statistical Evaluation of Trace Metals, TSH and T 4 in Blood Serum of Thyroid Disease Patients in Comparison with Controls

Abstract

The present study is based on the measurement of concentrations of selected trace metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Co, Mn, Ni, Cr, Cd and Pb) and thyroid hormones (TSH and T₄) in blood serum of hypothyroid and hyperthyroid patients in comparison with healthy donors/controls in order to establish the imbalances of the trace metals in diseased subjects. The serum samples were digested in HNO₃-HClO₄ mixture and quantification of the metals was performed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Average levels of Fe, Ni, Cu, Cr, Pb and TSH were found to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the serum of hypothyroid patients compared with other donor categories, while mean concentrations of Mn, Cd and T₄ were significantly elevated in the serum of hyperthyroid patients compared with other donor groups (p < 0.05). The correlation pattern of trace metals in the serum of patient groups revealed significantly different mutual associations compared with the controls. PCA and CA pointed out the interferences of the toxic metals with essential metals in the serum of both patient groups compared with the controls. Most of the metals exhibited noticeable disparities in their concentrations based on gender, food habits and tobacco use for all donor groups. Thus, the pathogenesis of thyroid diseases is significantly affecting the essential trace and toxic metals balance in both patients groups.

https://ift.tt/2GCc8l4

Association of Elements with Schizophrenia and Intervention of Selenium Supplements

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore more trace elements (zinc, potassium, copper, iron, boron, manganese, selenium, chromium and cadmium elements) in addition to calcium, magnesium, lead and arsenic in the sera of patients with schizophrenia and the general population in China and to determine the effect of selenium on schizophrenia patients. Participants were collected from the Pingyin County Mental Health Hospital and Pingyin County. A t test was used to analyse the differences between schizophrenia patients and healthy subjects, and element content differences in gender. Logistic multivariate regression analysis was applied to analyse the influence of elements to schizophrenia. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to analyse differences in the elements after 1 and 3 months. Mn, Se, Cd, Pb, Ca, Cu and Fe were lower than those in the normal group, and B, Cr, As, K and Mg were higher than those in the control group. The odd ratios (ORs) of serum As and serum K were 2.624 and 1.035, respectively. The ORs of sera Cr, Mn, Se, Ca and Cu were all below one. After intervention of 'selenium weikang' about 1 and 3 months, the serum As was decreased and the serum selenium and copper were increased. Cr, Mn, Se, Ca and Cu might have beneficial, statistically significant effects on schizophrenia. Elements As and K might be harmful to schizophrenia with statistical significance. After selenium supplementation, the schizophrenia patients improved in some factors, like the appetite and memory, and the As element decreased.

https://ift.tt/2GyAmfN

Mitigation of Acute Aluminum Toxicity by Sodium Selenite and N-Acetylcysteine in Adult Male Rats

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the toxic effects of aluminum and the potential alleviation of selenite and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on this toxicity. Acute aluminum toxicity was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of AlCl₃ (30 mg Al³⁺/kg) for four consecutive days. Al³⁺ damaged the synthetic capability and regeneration power of liver cells and induced inflammation. It also damaged the kidney and disturbed the lipid profile enhancing the total cholesterol level and LDL-cholesterol level increasing the risks of atherosclerosis. Al³⁺ reduced the cellular antioxidant milieu typified by the decrease in reduced glutathione, vitamin E, and four antioxidant enzymes and induced lipid peroxidation (LPO). Selenite at 1 mg Se/kg and NAC at 150 mg/kg injected either simultaneously with or after Al³⁺ mitigated most of these damaging effects probably by the virtue of scavenging the free radicals, binding aluminum and stimulating its excretion and reducing its bioavailability, bolstering the endogenous antioxidant defense systems, stabilizing the cell membrane, and preventing LPO. The beneficial effects of selenite and NAC against aluminum toxicity were also confirmed by the light and electron histopathology study. There were no significant differences between the two regimens used (protection and therapeutic) in the current study probably due to the short time of exposure, and the abrogation of Al³⁺ toxicity offered by selenite was better than that provided by NAC on the histopathology level.

https://ift.tt/2q5wYmi

sEcad and EGF Levels Increased in Urine of Non-ferrous Metal Workers and Medium of Uroepithelial Cell Line Treated by Arsenic

Abstract

Inorganic arsenic (iAs) is a carcinogen and could increase the risks of bladder, lung, and skin cancer. Mining and smelting of non-ferrous metals are common occupational arsenic exposures. In this study, 125 individuals working in non-ferrous metal smelting plants were separated into two groups according to urinary total arsenic (TAs) levels: group 1, TAs < 100 μg/g Cr; group 2, TAs ≥ 100 μg/g Cr. Demographic characteristics of participants were obtained by questionnaire interview. Levels of E-cadherin soluble ectodomain fragment (sEcad) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) in workers urine were determined by ELISA test. We found that concentrations of sEcad and EGF present in urine were significantly elevated in the high urinary arsenic group 2 compared with the low urinary arsenic group 1. Urinary levels of the shedding of E-cadherin soluble ectodomain fragment (sEcad) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were positively related to the concentrations of iAs in urine after adjusting for the confounding effects. A positive correlation between sEcad and EGF concentrations in urine was also observed. In order to verify the effects of iAs on sEcad and EGF, the human uroepithelial cell line (SV-HUC-1) was treated with NaAsO₂ for 24 h in vitro. sEcad and EGF levels in the 4 μM NaAsO₂-treated SV-HUC-1 cell medium significantly increased compared to the control group. In conclusion, urinary levels of sEcad and EGF increased in higher urinary arsenic workers of non-ferrous metal plants and are closely associated with urinary iAs concentration. The results suggested that sEcad and EGF may potentially be preclinical prognostic factors of bladder injury and early detection in arsenic exposure individuals.

https://ift.tt/2uNTKnG