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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #356266
Title: Low serum carotenoids are associated with self-reported cognitive dysfunction and inflammatory markers in breast cancer survivors

Author
item MORAN, NANCY - CHILDREN'S NUTRITION RESEARCH CENTER (CNRC)
item ZUNIGA, KRYSTLE - TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Nutrients
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/8/2018
Publication Date: 8/17/2018
Citation: Moran, N.E., Zuniga, K.E. 2018. Low serum carotenoids are associated with self-reported cognitive dysfunction and inflammatory markers in breast cancer survivors. Nutrients. 10(8):1111. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10081111.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10081111

Interpretive Summary: Fruit and vegetable intake has been associated with better cognitive function in cancer survivors. Carotenoids, the red, orange, and yellow pigments in fruits and vegetables might contribute to this association. This study sought to explore if cognitive function in breast cancer survivors (BCS) was associated with blood carotenoid concentrations and reduced systemic inflammation. Objective cognitive function and perceived cognitive impairment of 29 BCS and 38 controls were assessed cross-sectionally with the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery and The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function Questionnaire, respectively. Serum markers of inflammation were measured. BCS with low blood carotenoids had more cognitive complaints compared to the low serum carotenoid controls and high-carotenoid controls. However, cognitive complaints of high-carotenoid BCS were intermediate to and not different than the low-carotenoid BCS, or low- or high-carotenoid controls. BCS performed similarly to controls on all objective cognitive measures. Greater blood carotenoid concentrations were associated with lower concentrations of two inflammatory biomarkers (sTNFR-II and IL-6) concentrations. Conclusions: Higher serum carotenoid concentrations may convey cognitive and anti-inflammatory benefits in BCS. Future research should identify dietary components and patterns that support cognitive health in cancer survivors.

Technical Abstract: Background: Dietary carotenoids may exert anti-inflammatory activities to reduce inflammation-driven cognitive impairments during cancer and cancer treatment. Our objective was to explore if cognitive function in breast cancer survivors (BCS) differs by serum carotenoid concentrations, and if blood carotenoid concentrations are associated with reduced systemic inflammation. Objective cognitive function and perceived cognitive impairment of 29 BCS and 38 controls were assessed cross-sectionally with the NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery and The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function Questionnaire, respectively. Serum carotenoid and inflammatory marker (sTNF-RII, IL-6, IL-1ra, CRP) concentrations were measured. Low-carotenoid BCS had more cognitive complaints compared to the low-carotenoid controls (Mdiff=-43.0, p<.001) and high-carotenoid controls (Mdiff=-44.5, p<.001). However, cognitive complaints of high-carotenoid BCS were intermediate to and not different than the low-carotenoid BCS, or low- or high-carotenoid controls. BCS performed similarly to controls on all objective cognitive measures. Multiple linear regression, controlling for age and BMI, demonstrated an inverse association between serum carotenoid concentrations and pro-inflammatory sTNFR-II (B=-.404, P=.005) and IL-6 concentrations (B=-.35, P=.001), but not IL-1ra or CRP. Higher serum carotenoid concentrations may convey cognitive and anti-inflammatory benefits in BCS. Future research should identify dietary components and patterns that support cognitive health in cancer survivors.