Retinol and α-Tocopherol Levels in the Serum and Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue of Newly Diagnosed Basal Cell Carcinoma Patients.

BACKGROUND: Nonmelanoma skin cancers are the most frequently occurring skin cancers. Vitamin A is involved in epithelial cell differentiation and may control skin tumor development. Vitamin E is a powerful lipophilic antioxidant that can quench and scavenge reactive oxygen species. However, there is little consistent evidence considering micronutrients and the development of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the possible difference between retinol and α-tocopherol in BCC patients and controls in Iranian population. METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on adults with newly diagnosed BCC referred to Razi Hospital, Tehran, Iran in 2015. Serum and subcutaneous fat tissue retinol and α-tochopherol were measured by HPLC method. RESULTS: Overall, serum retinol level was lower significantly in BCC patients (0.237±0.01 µg/ml) in comparison with control group (0.27±0.02 µg/ml, P-value: 0.038). However serum α-tocopherol level was not significantly different between BCC patients (4.41±0.33 µg/ml) and control subjects (4.06±0.35 µg/ml, P-value=0.18). Sub-cutaneous adipose tissue retinol was lower significantly in BCC patients (38.60±3.30 ng/mg) compared with control group (54.78±3.49 ng/mg, P-value=0.002). Furthermore, results revealed lower subcutaneous adipose tissue α-tocopherol in BCC patients (4.41±0.33 µg/ml) in comparison with control group (4.06±0.35 µg/ml, P-value=0.18). CONCLUSION: Skin tissue concentration of retinol and α-tocopherol and serum retinol level was lower in BCC patients in comparison with control group but serum α-tocopherol was not different between groups.

Erythrocyte membrane saturated fatty acids profile in newly diagnosed Basal Cell Carcinoma patients.

BACKGROUND: Skin cancers are the most prevalent malignancy worldwide and Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) include the major type of nonmelanoma skin cancers. Fatty acids (FA) have a structural role in cell membranes and play an important role for many physiological and pathological immunologic pathways. Several prospective studies have been conducted on circulating fatty acids and the risk of prostate, breast and other cancers. The present study aimed to determine the saturated fatty acid composition differences of red blood cells (RBCs) in BCC patients and healthy control. METHODS: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted on new cases diagnosed of BCC patients. All subjects completed dietary recalls for dietary assessment. After fatty acids extraction, purification and preparation, gas chromatography was performed. The results were expressed in relative values (percent). RESULTS: Cases had lower RBC levels of Caproic acid (6:0) (P < 0.001), Caprylic acid (8:0) (P = 0.01), Capric acid (10:0) (P = 0.01), Palmitic acid (16:0) (P = 0.02) and higher RBC level of Pentadecanoic acid (15:0) (P = 0.04) and Stearic acid (18:0) (P = 0.01) compared with controls but did not differ in the level of the other primary saturated fatty acids. Saturation Index as defined by Stearic to Oleic acid ratio was significantly lower in BCC patients in comparison with Control group (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Here we showed that BCC patient had considerable differences in the SFA profiles in comparison with healthy subjects.

Erythrocyte Membrane Unsaturated (Mono and Poly) Fatty Acids Profile in Newly Diagnosed Basal Cell Carcinoma Patients.

Studies have reported different changes in the fatty acid composition of red blood cell (RBC) total lipids in patients with various types of cancer. It has been indicated that n-3/n-6 ratio plays a key role in the general consequence of skin photocarcinogenesis. However, to our knowledge there was no study examining the unsaturated fatty acid profile in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) patients. So, we explore the fatty acid composition of RBCs in newly diagnosed BCC patients in a hospital-based case-control study. This study has been conducted on new case BCC patients in Razi Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Fatty acid concentration in erythrocyte membranes defined as relative values after extraction, purification and preparation, by gas chromatography.Analysis revealed that heptadecenoic acid (p = 0.010) and oleic acid (p < 0.001) was significantly higher in BCC patients in comparison with control group. Among polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), linoleic acid (LA), and arachidonic acid (AA) were significantly higher in BCC patients (p < 0.001). It has been indicated that n-3 was significantly lower (p = 0.040) and n-6 was significantly higher (p = 0.002) in BCC patients. In addition, total PUFA (p < 0.001) and n-6 PUFAs/n-3 PUFAs (p = 0.002) were significantly higher in BCC patients compared to the control group. Here we indicated that new case BCC patient had significantly higher n-6 PUFA and lower n-3 along with other differences in unsaturated fatty acid in comparison with healthy subjects. Our study provides evidence that lipids are important in BCC development.