Association between Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Diseases and the Blood Concentration of Carotenoids among the General Population without Apparent Illness

Abstract

Several studies have demonstrated that carotenoid-rich vegetables are useful against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, it is still unclear when a healthy population should start eating these vegetables to prevent CVDs. In this study, we evaluated the role of carotenoids in CVD markers in healthy subjects using age-stratified analysis. We selected 1350 subjects with no history of apparent illness who were undergoing health examinations. We then evaluated the relationship between the serum concentrations of six major carotenoids as well as their total, and nine CVD markers (i.e., body mass index (BMI), pulse wave velocity (PWV), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), blood insulin, fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TGs), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol) using multiple regression analysis. It was found that the total carotenoid level was significantly associated with seven markers other than BMI and FBG in males and with eight markers other than DBP in females. Many of these relationships were independent of lifestyle habits. Many significant relationships were found in young males (aged 20–39) and middle-aged females (aged 40–59). These findings can be used as lifestyle guidance for disease prevention although the causal relationships should be confirmed.

Association between Serum Concentration of Carotenoid and Visceral Fat

“…As described in our previous report [ 8 ], the mean value of each measurement was stratified by sex (male and female) and compared using Student’s t -test. It was also stratified by age category (young, 20–39 years; middle-aged, 40–59 years; old ≥60 years) and compared using one-way ANOVA (post hoc: Bonferroni).…”

“…It was also stratified by age category (young, 20–39 years; middle-aged, 40–59 years; old ≥60 years) and compared using one-way ANOVA (post hoc: Bonferroni). Because previous studies have shown that carotenoid concentrations do not follow normality [ 8 ], Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis test (post hoc: Bonferroni) were used for the carotenoids.…”

“…Therefore, the relationship between carotenoids and obesity was limited to the body-mass index (BMI) or waist circumference-based assessments. For example, in our previous study [ 8 ], high BMI was associated with low serum concentration of total carotenoid, whereas Suzuki et al have reported an association between high waist circumference and low serum β-carotene levels in females [ 14 ]. Carotenoid concentrations in adipose tissue have also been measured, which have been shown to be related to waist circumference [ 15 ].…”

“…Several epidemiological studies have shown that ingestion of carotenoids and carotenoid-rich vegetables and fruits leads to the amelioration of arteriosclerosis and hypertension and reduces the risk of chronic cardiovascular diseases, such as ischemic heart disease and cerebrovascular disease [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. We also found that the higher the levels of carotenoids in the blood and skin, the healthier are many predictive markers of chronic cardiovascular disease in healthy individuals [ 8 , 9 ], suggesting that vegetable intake may be preventive against diseases in healthy as well as ill individuals. In addition to their role in reducing oxidative stress, some carotenoids have an inhibitory effect on the differentiation and hypertrophy of adipocytes [ 10 ], and some affect lipid and glucose metabolism [ 11 , 12 ].…”

β-Carotene: Preventive Role for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity: A Review

“…In the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, it was observed that the proportion of men affected by diabetes was 60.1%, although no correlation of its development with the consumption of carotenoids was shown [ 66 ]. Nevertheless, in another study, it was observed that Japanese men and women who consumed higher quantities of plant sources of carotenoids presented higher concentrations of serum β-carotene and lower insulin resistance, indicating a possible protective role of this antioxidant for β-pancreatic cells [ 68 ].…”