Previous research has reported low antioxidant status in patients diagnosed with esophageal adenocarcinoma. Barrett's esophagus is a pre-cancerous change in the esophagus that can be associated with acid reflux. A study published in the May issue of the Journal of Clinical Pathology was aimed at determining the antioxidant status of patients with Barrett's esophagus compared to healthy controls
The study enrolled 103 patients (total) who were divided into 3 groups, the Barrett's esophagus group, erosive esophagus, and healthy. Levels of antioxidants were measure in each of the groups including copper, selenium, zinc, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and carotenoids.
They found that levels of selenium, Vitamin C and some carotenes are significantly lower than healthy controls and even patients with erosive esophagus. The deficiency in antioxidants may explain why these patients are more likely to progress to cancer than those with erosive esophagus and possibly even why Barrett's esophagus develops in the first place.
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