The SUpplementation en VItamines et Mineraux AntioXydants (SU.VI.MAX) study, a randomised double-blind, primary-prevention trial showed that after 7.5 years, low-dose antioxidant supplementation lowered the total cancer incidence in men, but not in women. To explain this difference in the impact of antioxidant supplementation in men and women, we hypothesised that the effect of supplementation is dependent on initial antioxidant status; 12 741 French adults (7713 females aged 35--60 years; 5028 males aged 45--60 years) received daily antioxidant supplementation (120 mg vitamin C, 30 mg vitamin E, 6 mg beta-carotene, 100 microg Se, 20 mg Zn daily) or a matching placebo. Cut-off limits for baseline serum concentrations of the different antioxidant vitamins and minerals were defined as follows for both men and women: 0.3 micromol/l for beta-carotene, 11.4 micromol/l for vitamin C, 15 micromol/l for vitamin E, 0.75 micromol/l for Se and 10.7 micromol/l for Zn. The percentage of men with serum concentrations under cut-off limits was higher for vitamins C and E and beta-carotene in those who developed a cancer than in those who did not. The risk of cancer was higher in men with baseline concentrations of serum vitamin C or vitamin E under cut-off limits, but not in women. The effect of supplementation was greater in men with baseline serum concentrations of vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene below the cut-off limits compared with those above it. This effect was maintained only for vitamin E after adjustment for age, tobacco, and alcohol consumption and BMI. No effect of supplementation could be seen in women. Baseline antioxidant status is related to the risk of cancer in men but not in women and therefore does not entirely explain the differences observed in the effect of antioxidant supplementation on cancer risk between sexes in the SU.VI.MAX study.

These results suggest no beneficial effects of long-term daily low-dose supplementation of antioxidant vitamins and minerals on carotid atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness.

info:eu-repo/semantics/published

info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

P-378 Abstract: The adverse effects of excessive ultraviolet radiation on the skin are widely documented. In spite of precautionary warnings, a suntan is still considered as a sign of good health and attractiveness. The use of commercial tanning facilities still increases mainly because of the belief that cosmetic tanning represents a “safe” tan. The objective of the present study is to describe the use of tanning equipment within the SU.VI.MAX cohort. A self-administered questionnaire on sun exposure behaviour was specifically developed and addressed in 2001 to 12,741 French adult volunteers enrolled in the SU.VI.MAX cohort. Among the 7,359 individuals who answered the questionnaire, 1,179 (16%) – 953 women and 226 men – declared having experienced indoor tanning practice during lifetime. Seven percent of women declared a regular usage (6% for men), and 10% for duration of at least five years (10% for men). Among women, 44% of users belonged to the youngest classes of age at inclusion (35–44), versus 33% in non-users (in men data non available for these classes of age), 48% of users lived in North or in Ile-de-France, versus 39% in non-users (45% and 36% for men, respectively), 56% declared having lifetime tanning practices between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. in users, versus 37% in non-users (53% and 38%), 39% declared regular use of protection products during tanning in users, versus 24% in non-users (17% and 7%), 54% declared gradual sun exposure in users, versus 43% in non-users (53% and 38%), 13% declared having naturism practices in users, versus 6% in non-users (19% and 8%), and 93% declared having experienced sunburns in adulthood in users, versus 88% in non-users (93% and 89%). The awareness of the risk appears as good in users as in non-users whatever the gender: more than 95% have already heard about melanoma and know that sunburn can have significant consequences on the skin. Reasons evoked for justification of skin exposure to artificial UV light were: aesthetic reasons (35%), skin preparation before sun exposure (34%), medical reasons (10%), experimentation of the device because it was at their disposal or by curiosity (6%), physical or mental well-being (2%), to avoid natural sunlight (1%), other reasons (2%) and no admit reason (23%). Furthermore, a link was found between the fairest phototypes (Fitzpatrick’s classification) and the reason “skin preparation”. Whereas cosmetic tanning using artificial UV should be discouraged, it appears that the indoor tanners are also regular sunbathers. Moreover, the awareness of the risk of cancer and of photoageing appears not efficient to dishearten the indoor tanners.

International audience

Increased fruit and vegetable consumption has become a health priority in many countries. Therefore, data investigating the influence of different types of fruits and vegetables on serum antioxidant levels would be useful. The objective of the study was to assess the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and vitamin serum antioxidant concentrations. Specific fruit and vegetable groups are evaluated. A total of 3521 subjects (1487 men and 2034 women), aged 35-60 years, participating in the SU.VI.MAX cohort were included in this study. Blood samples of participants were analysed for beta-carotene, vitamin C and alpha-tocopherol. Each subject had completed at least six dietary records during the first 2 years of the study. It was found that women had higher mean beta-carotene and vitamin C serum concentrations than men, but lower alpha-tocopherol serum concentrations. Serum beta-carotene and vitamin C concentrations were positively correlated with consumption of both fruit and vegetables, as well as with most of the fruit and vegetable groups tested. These relationships persisted after adjustment for confounding factors. Regression analysis showed a linear dose-response relationship. Root vegetables and citrus fruits were particularly associated with beta-carotene serum status as were citrus fruits for vitamin C. Fruit and vegetable consumption was either not or weakly associated with alpha-tocopherol serum concentrations. These results describe antioxidant serum concentrations according to fruit and vegetable consumption in a large sample and support the findings of previous studies involving a more limited number of subjects.