Immunological role of vitamin A and its related substances in prevention of cancer

Nutr Cancer. 1983;5(3-4):187-94. doi: 10.1080/01635588309513795.

Abstract

The antitumor effects of vitamin A and its related substances, vitamin E, vitamin K, beta-carotene, ubiquinone, phytol, and squalene, were examined using a syngeneic murine tumor system. Intraperitoneal administration of these substances (0.19 mumol/mouse/day) slightly suppressed the growth of Meth A fibrosarcoma cells inoculated s.c. into Balb/c mice. Administration of all test substances except beta-carotene significantly suppressed the growth of Meth A fibrosarcoma cells rechallenged in Meth A-primed mice on day 10, but did not influence the growth of Meth 1 fibrosarcoma cells (another syngeneic tumor of Balb/c origin) rechallenged in Meth A-primed mice on day 10. The growth of Meth A tumor cells was suppressed when Meth A was inoculated together with lymph node cells obtained from the Meth A-primed Balb/c mice treated with vitamin A, vitamin E, phytol, or squalene. Our findings suggest that certain constituents in green-yellow vegetables may contribute to the prevention of cancer by augmenting an immunological response against tumor cells in the early stages of carcinogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Female
  • Fibrosarcoma / chemically induced
  • Fibrosarcoma / immunology*
  • Fibrosarcoma / physiopathology
  • Immunization
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology
  • Methylcholanthrene
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Neoplasm Transplantation
  • Phytol / pharmacology
  • Sarcoma, Experimental / chemically induced
  • Sarcoma, Experimental / immunology
  • Sarcoma, Experimental / physiopathology
  • Vitamin A / pharmacology*
  • Vitamin E / pharmacology

Substances

  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin E
  • Phytol
  • Methylcholanthrene