The patients were given supplementation for one month and colonic biopsy specimens were taken before and at the end of the trial. We examined the effect of supplemental Ascorbic acid on red blood cell glutathione. After the placebo-controlled withdraw period, red blood cell glutathione did not differ from baseline. Antioxidant vitamins or lactulose for the prevention of the recurrence of colorectal adenomas. Colorectal Cancer Study Group of the University of Modena and the Health Care District 16.
Colonic adenomas represent the natural precursor lesions of most colorectal cancers.
The treatment of choice is endoscopic polypectomy. However, after endoscopic removal, polyps recur in a large fraction of cases. Thus, we evaluated the effect of antioxidant vitamins or lactulose on the recurrence rate of adenomatous polyps. Forty-six subjects had to be excluded because the histologic diagnosis was not consistent with adenoma. Subjects were followed at regular intervals for an average of 18 months.