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The Impact of Capsaicin Intake on Risk of Developing Gastric Cancers: A Meta-Analysis

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Abstract

Background

Reported associations of capsaicin with gastric cancer development have been conflicting. Here, we examine 10 published articles that explore these associations using 2,452 cases and 3,996 controls.

Methods

We used multiple search strategies in MEDLINE through PubMed to seek for suitable articles that had case-control design with gastric cancer as outcome.

Results

The outcomes of our study shows protection (odds ratio [OR] 0.55, P = 0.003) and susceptibility (OR 1.94, P = 0.0004), both significant with low and medium-high intake of capsaicin, respectively, although under relatively heterogeneous conditions (P heterogeneity = <0.0001). Outlier analysis resulted in loss of overall heterogeneity (P = 0.14) without affecting the pooled ORs. Among the subgroups, low intake elicited protection in both Korean (OR 0.37) and Mexican (OR 0.63) populations while high intake rendered these subgroups susceptible (OR 2.96 and OR 1.57, respectively). These subgroup values were highly significant (P = 0.0001–0.01) obtained in heterogeneous conditions (P heterogeneity < 0.0001–0.04). The homogeneous (P heterogeneity = 0.27–0.37) H. pylori (OR 0.60 and 1.69) effects were highly significant (P < 0.001) in the low and medium-high intake analyses, respectively. Given outcomes from the tests of interaction, high capsaicin intake is significantly different from the protection that low consumption offers.

Conclusions

This meta-analysis implies moderation in capsaicin consumption in order to derive its protective benefits.

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Acknowledgments

This project has been funded by the Saint Louis University multigrant awarded to Dr. Noel Pabalan. The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) and Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) grants support Dr. Hilmi Ozcelik. We thank Ofelia Francisco. This paper is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Hilmi Ozcelik, a longtime friend, colleague, and mentor.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Natural Sciences and Nursing, Saint Louis University, 2600, Baguio City, Philippines

    Noel Pabalan

  2. Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Branch, Ontario Ministry of the Environment, 125 Resources Road, Toronto, ON, Canada, M9P 3V6

    Hamdi Jarjanazi

  3. Fred A. Litwin Centre for Cancer Genetics, Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, 60 Murray St. Room L6-303, Box 29, Toronto, ON, M5T 3L9, Canada

    Hilmi Ozcelik

Authors
  1. Noel Pabalan
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  3. Hilmi Ozcelik
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hamdi Jarjanazi.

Additional information

Hilmi Ozcelik Deceased, (May, 2013)

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Pabalan, N., Jarjanazi, H. & Ozcelik, H. The Impact of Capsaicin Intake on Risk of Developing Gastric Cancers: A Meta-Analysis. J Gastrointest Canc 45, 334–341 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12029-014-9610-2

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