Serum Carotenoids Reduce Progression of Early Atherosclerosis in the Carotid Artery Wall among Eastern Finnish Men

Abstract

BackgroundSeveral previous epidemiologic studies have shown that high blood levels of carotenoids may be protective against early atherosclerosis, but results have been inconsistent. We assessed the association between atherosclerotic progression, measured by intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery wall, and serum levels of carotenoids.MethodsWe studied the effect of carotenoids on progression of early atherosclerosis in a population-based study. The association between concentrations of serum carotenoids, and intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery wall was explored in 840 middle-aged men (aged 46–65 years) from Eastern Finland. Ultrasonography of the common carotid arteries were performed at baseline and 7-year follow-up. Serum levels of carotenoids were analyzed at baseline. Changes in mean and maximum intima media thickness of carotid artery wall were related to baseline serum carotenoid levels in covariance analyses adjusted for covariates.ResultsIn a covariance analysis with adjustment for age, ultrasound sonographer, maximum intima media thickness, examination year, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, smoking, physical activity, serum LDL cholesterol, family history of coronary heart disease, antihypertensive medication and serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein, 7-year change in maximum intima media thickness was inversely associated with lycopene (p = 0.005), α-carotene (p = 0.002) and β-carotene (p = 0.019), respectively.ConclusionsThe present study shows that high serum concentrations of carotenoids may be protective against early atherosclerosis.

Lutein Prevents High Fat Diet‐Induced Atherosclerosis in ApoE‐Deficient Mice by Inhibiting NADPH Oxidase and Increasing PPAR Expression

“…Moreover, reductions in serum TAG, TC and LDL-C levels were observed in the lutein-treated groups. These results are consist with the data from a cross-sectional, case-control and case study by Renzi et al [65] that showed that serum lutein was significantly related to the serum concentrations of TC and HDL-C; additionally, a recent report demonstrated that lutein supplementation reduces circulating total and LDL cholesterol levels in an early atherosclerotic population [33]. Because lipid metabolism disorder is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis [11,12], the lipid-lowering effects of lutein are likely the main contributing factor to its antiatherogenic potential; however, the molecular mechanism by which lutein regulates lipid metabolism in the liver has not been fully investigated.…”

“…Furthermore, progression of the intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid arteries over 18 months was related to plasma lutein levels among a randomly sampled cohort of utility employees aged 40-60 years [29]. This result is supported by data from other studies showing an inverse association between serum levels of lutein and carotid IMT [30][31][32][33]. However, the protective effects of lutein against atherosclerosis and its association with NADPH oxidase, HO-1, PPARα, LDLr and SR-BI have not been well established.…”

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“…Supplementation of diets with α-tocopherol significantly increased plasma α-tocopherol levels and resulted in lesser accumulation of peroxides in plasma [50,51]. In addition, previous reports indicated that serum carotenoid levels have been inversely associated with risk of atherosclerosis [52], atherogenic factors [53] and cardiovascular mortality [54]. The prooxidant effects of ß-carotene have been proposed to be due to the tendency of ß-carotene radicals reacting with oxygen to give rise to peroxyl radicals that mediate lipid peroxidation [55].…”

In vivo noninvasive measurement of skin autofluorescence biomarkers relate to cardiovascular disease in mice

“…Dietary vitamins remain the largest source of antioxidants in man. Previous studies have highlighted the increased risk of CVD with low serum levels of β-carotene (Karppi et al, 2013). β-carotene is a cell pigment found in many plants and forms the primary source of vitamin A in man.…”