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Hong, Chung, Kim, Lee, Yoon, Oh, Lee, Lim, and Buxiang: The Effects of GAC on the Biochemical Profiles and Quality of Life of Metastatic Prostate Cancer Patients
Original Article
Korean Journal of Urology

Korean Journal of Urology 2006; 47(5): 467-474.

Published online: 31 May 2006

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4111/kju.2006.47.5.467

The Effects of GAC on the Biochemical Profiles and Quality of Life of Metastatic Prostate Cancer Patients

Sung Joon Hong1, Byung Ha Chung1, Jung Soo Kim2, Min June Lee3, Sun Yoon2, Hea Young Oh1, Eun Jin Lee1, Heon Gwan Lim1, Sun Buxiang4

1Department of Urology, Urological Science Institute and Brain Korea 21 Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

2Department of Food and Nutrition, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.

3Research Institute of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.

4R&D Division, Amino Up Chemical Company, Sapporo, Japan.

Corresponding author (sjhong346@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr)

Received 9 September 2005       Accepted 4 April 2006

Copyright © 2006 The Korean Urological Association

Abstract

Purpose

In order to evaluate the effects of GAC, which is the combination of active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) and genistein combined polysaccharide (GCP), we investigated the changes in the biochemical profiles and the quality of life of prostate cancer patients with androgen suppression after the administration of GAC.

Materials and Methods

Thirty two eligible metastatic prostate cancer patients between the ages of 54 and 84 were enrolled in this study, and they were supplemented with 5g GAC per day (n=23) or placebo (n=9) for a 6 months period. Blood and urine sample analysis were taken and the quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale Questionnaire (FACT-G) at baseline and at post intervention (after 3 and 6 months).

Results

Twenty six patients (n=18 in the GAC group and n=8 in the placebo group) completed the 6 months intervention. No statistically significant adverse events were reported by the study participants. GAC had no significant effect on the serum biochemical parameters. However, all 7 GAC-treated hypercholesterolemic patients had their cholesterol level decreased after 3 months treatment (p<0.02). Results of Comet assay showed significant decreases in tail moment (p<0.009) and tail length (p<0.004) at 6 months compared to baseline for the GAC group. Although the results of the VAS were inconsistent, the score for physical well-being was increased in GAC group on the FACT-G analysis (p<0.05 between baseline and 3 months, respectively).

Conclusions

Oral administration of GAC 5g per day for 6 months showed a decrease in DNA damage of blood lymphocytes and in the total serum cholesterol level in hypercholesterolemic patients without any significant influences on the serum biochemical parameters of the metastatic prostate cancer patients. Further studies on the role of GAC are necessary to clarify the advantage of GAC supplementation in prostate cancer patients with androgen suppression.

Keywords: Prostate cancer, Genistein combined polysaccharide, Active hexose correlated compound, GAC

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1
Changes in the concentration of the total cholesterol in the serum of the GAC supplement patients with hypercholesterolemia. *p<0.02 for comparing the initial mean and the 3 months' mean by using the Wilcoxon signed rank test.
kju-47-467-g001
Table 1
General characteristics of the subjects at baseline
kju-47-467-i001

Data presented are mean±SD. BMI: body mass index, PSA: prostate-specific antigen, HRPC: hormone refractory prostate cancer

Table 2
Changes in the intake and urinary excretion of isoflavones in the placebo group and the genistein combined polysaccharide (GCP) and active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) mixture/GAC supplement group at baseline, 3 months and 6 months
kju-47-467-i002

Data presented are mean±SD. *: comparison among the excretion changes of initial, 3 months and 6 months, p<0.02

Table 3
Changes in the blood and serum biochemical characteristics
kju-47-467-i003

Data presented are mean±SD. AST: aspartate aminotransferase, ALT: alanine aminotransferase, BUN: blood urea nitrogen, ALP: alkaline phosphatase, WBC: white blood cell, RBC: red blood cell, Hb: hemoglobin, Hct: hematocrit

Table 4
Lymphocyte DNA damage using comet assay in the placebo group and the GAC supplement group
kju-47-467-i004

Data presented are mean±SD. *: comparison among the means of initial, 3 months and 6 months in GAC group, p<0.009 (repeated measures ANOVA)

Table 5
Changes of the pain score in the placebo group and the GAC supplement group
kju-47-467-i005

Data presented are mean±SD. *: comparison between the means of initial and 3 months in GAC group, p<0.04 (paired t-test)

Table 6
Changes of the FACT-G subscale and the overall scores
kju-47-467-i006

Data presented are mean±SD. FACT-G: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scale

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