Skin Cancer and Vitamin A

The skin and mucosal cells (cells that line the airways, digestive tract, and urinary tract) function as a barrier and form the body’s first line of defense against infection. Retinol (vitamin A) and its metabolites (e.g. beta carotene which is converted to vitamin A) are required to maintain the integrity and function of these cells. (Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 1999).

n 1999 Researchers from the University of Michigan reported that ultraviolet irradiation from the sun causes a major loss of retinoic acid receptors in skin cells. They concluded that ultraviolet irradiation causes a vitamin A deficiency that may have harmful effects on skin function, contributing to premature aging of the skin and the creation of skin cancer. (Nature Medicine 1999; 5(4): 418-422).

n 2001 researchers from The University of Texas, Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Arizona looked at the effects of sun exposure and retinoic acid (vitamin A) receptors in skin cells.

The study examined these effects in relation to squamous skin carcinogenesis (SCC) (the process by which normal cells are transformed into cancer cells).

They observed a progressive decrease in retinoic acid (vitamin A) receptors from normal skin to precancerous skin progressing to invasive skin SCC (squamous cell carcinogenesis).

Their results indicate that the suppression of retinoid (vitamin A) receptors occurs early in the precancerous stage and is associated with progression of squamous skin carcinogenesis (the creation of cancer). (Cancer Res, 61: 4306-10, 2001).

Swedish researchers, reporting in the journal Experimental Dermatology in 2003, used cultured normal human keratinocytes and melanocytes (skin cells) to examine the effects of UV irradiation on the main retinoid receptors in the human skin.

The keratinocyte is the major cell type of the epidermis (outer layer of skin), making up about 90% of epidermal cells. Melanocytes are cells located in the bottom layer of the skin’s epidermis.

The authors concluded that a depletion of vitamin A and retinoid receptors, together with other factors, by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation might seriously interfere with retinoid (vitamin A) signalling and therefore promote future tumour development, especially in keratinocytes (see above). (Exp Dermatol. 2003 Oct;12(5):563-71).

In 1993 Edes and a colleague at the Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans Affairs Hospital, Columbia, Missouri, reported in a review that exposure to benzopyrene, a carcinogen (cancer causing substance) causes vitamin A depletion in exposed tissues.

They noted that the effect is apparent while on a vitamin A sufficient diet but significantly, without a decline in serum (blood) Vitamin A. In other words, benzopyrene depleted vitamin A even when the diet was adequate in the vitamin, and this depletion is not apparent in blood tests.

Benzopyrene also known as benzo(a)pyrene is found in coal tar, in automobile exhaust fumes (especially from diesel engines), tobacco smoke, and in charbroiled food. Recent studies have revealed that levels of benzopyrene in burnt toast are significantly higher than once thought, although it is unproven whether burnt toast is itself carcinogenic. (Wikipedia).

Reviewing the studies to date they observed that although these studies involved dietary intake of benzopyrene, it would be realistic to surmise cigarette smoke exposure would have a similar effect. (Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1993 May 28;686:203-11; discussion 211-2. Review).

Kevin has been writing articles online for in excess of 4 years. Not only does this author specialize in health and weight loss, you can also check out his latest website Cartier Ladies Watches with information regarding Cartier Ladies Watches.

Disclaimer: The information and opinions on this website is for information purposes only and is believed to be accurate and sound, based on the best judgment available to the author. Readers should consult appropriate health professionals on any matter relating to their health and well-being. Readers who fail to consult appropriate health authorities assume the risk of any injuries.

CA Antioch an interesting town that’s going through a hard time.

Ca Antioch is a bustling little California town that had a  huge spike in real estate prices in the early 2,000′s as did much of the country. But few places have been harder hit by the following housing market correction that this area of the country.

Sure, like many the people of CA Antioch thought woo whoo here we go, were all going to be real estate millionaires move over Donald I’m coming thru. and then once again like most there was a big, no, huge oops attached to that, it was called a market correction. No one who got caught in it should feel bad about not having seen it coming. Heck, most of the power players and market makers didn’t see it coming either, until it was too late that is.

So, to say that CA Antioch is a depressed area is not really fare to the people who live there. These are good hardworking Americans who like everyone else got caught between a rock and a hard place when it all came tumbling down. Kind of reminds me of a John Cougar song “when the walls come tumbling down” (I know I’m showing my age by quoting a song from that era but it fits).

Jobs were already scarce in this waterside town and now with the tourist trade all but dried up its slim pickings indeed. But, I noticed something about this little place most people have never heard of and that is it’s a place that has got attitude. The people here are resilient and are a breed that you can’t push down no matter how hard times get, these people are as scrappy as it gets make no mistake.

As you likely know, a piece of dirt, a chunk of real estate doesn’t make a town the people who live there do. We all have a choice we can get down and get angry about what has happened in this great land we call our home or we can do something about it. Most wonder well, what can I do I am just one person and I’ve got my own problems. True, you are just one and we are all in the same boat but…

We can start by walking out our own front door as to say and knock on the door of our neighbor. When they answer we can simply invite them over for maybe dinner and a game of cards. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy at all. Just get together, start bonding with the people who are your fellow man and let them know that someone cares. When you do this you will both find that there are good caring people all around you and that you are one of them.

Articles