Abstract 2896: Effects of Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation on the Inflammation Marker Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in Normal Colon Mucosa: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Abstract To investigate whether calcium and vitamin D reduce the expression of the inflammation marker COX-2 in the normal-appearing colorectal mucosa of sporadic colorectal adenoma patients, we conducted a pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2 × 2 factorial clinical trial (n=92) of 2.0 g elemental calcium daily and vitamin D3 800 IU/day, alone and in combination, versus placebo over 6 months. COX-2 expression and colorectal crypt distribution in biopsies of normal-appearing colorectal mucosa were detected by automated immunohistochemistry and quantified by image analysis. COX-2 expression along the entire crypt increased by 4% (p=0.73) in the calcium group and decreased by 3% (p=0.86) and 4% (p=0.73) in the vitamin D3 and joint calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation groups, respectively, relative to the placebo group. The distribution of COX-2 in the colorectal crypts overall or in various regions of the crypt (proliferative zone, differentiation zone, and area closest to contact with colon lumen contents) did not substantially change over follow-up. Our findings did not support the hypothesis that calcium and/or vitamin D3 supplementation can substantially decrease COX-2 expression in the normal appearing colorectal mucosa of sporadic adenoma patients. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2896.