Genome-wide association study on dimethylarginines reveals novel AGXT2 variants associated with heart rate variability but not with overall mortality.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to identify novel genetic variants influencing circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) levels and to evaluate whether they have a prognostic value on cardiovascular mortality. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a genome-wide association study on the methylarginine traits and investigated the predictive value of the new discovered variants on mortality. Our meta-analyses replicated the previously known locus for ADMA levels in DDAH1 (rs997251; P = 1.4 × 10(-40)), identified two non-synomyous polymorphisms for SDMA levels in AGXT2 (rs37369; P = 1.4 × 10(-40) and rs16899974; P = 1.5 × 10(-38)) and one in SLC25A45 (rs34400381; P = 2.5 × 10(-10)). We also fine-mapped the AGXT2 locus for further independent association signals. The two non-synonymous AGXT2 variants independently associated with SDMA levels were also significantly related with short-term heart rate variability (HRV) indices in young adults. The major allele (C) of the novel non-synonymous rs16899974 (V498L) variant associated with decreased SDMA levels and an increase in the ratio between the low- and high-frequency spectral components of HRV (P = 0.00047). Furthermore, the SDMA decreasing allele (G) of the non-synomyous SLC25A45 (R285C) variant was associated with a lower resting mean heart rate during the HRV measurements (P = 0.0046), but not with the HRV indices. None of the studied genome-wide significant variants had any major effect on cardiovascular or total mortality in patients referred for coronary angiography. CONCLUSIONS: AGXT2 has an important role in SDMA metabolism in humans. AGXT2 may additionally have an unanticipated role in the autonomic nervous system regulation of cardiac function.

Vegetable and fruit consumption, education and plasma vitamin C concentration in Russian and Finnish Karelia, 1992-2002.

OBJECTIVE: To examine (i) whether the consumption of fresh vegetables, fruit and berries is associated with plasma vitamin C concentration and (ii) educational differences in plasma vitamin C concentration in two neighbouring areas in Russia and Finland. DESIGN: Cross-sectional risk factor surveys in 1992, 1997 and 2002. Logistic regression analysis was applied to examine the associations of consumption of selected foods and education with plasma vitamin C concentration. SETTING: District of Pitkäranta in the Republic of Karelia, Russia and North Karelia, Finland. SUBJECTS: Adults aged 25-64 years: 579 men and 612 women in Pitkäranta; 974 men and 642 women in North Karelia. RESULTS: The plasma vitamin C concentration was strikingly low in Pitkäranta, Russia across the study years. During the 10 years of monitoring, the mean plasma vitamin C concentration among men ranged from 2·5 to 8·0 µmol/l in Pitkäranta, Russia and from 27·1 to 53·9 µmol/l in North Karelia, Finland. In both areas, daily consumption of fruit was most strongly associated with plasma vitamin C, while the association of fresh vegetable consumption with plasma vitamin C was less consistent. Consumption of berries was less important in explaining plasma vitamin C. In Pitkäranta, the plasma vitamin C concentration was lower among respondents in the lowest education group. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruit resulted in notable differences in vitamin C status between Pitkäranta and North Karelia in spring. In comparative settings, knowledge of local food culture and validation pilots are important before conducting large population surveys.

The effect of proatherogenic pathogens on adipose tissue transcriptome and fatty acid distribution in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

BACKGROUND: Chronic infections have been demonstrated to maintain low-grade systemic inflammation and associate with atherosclerosis. We studied the inflammation- and lipid homeostasis-related effects of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) infections on the epididymal and inguinal adipose tissue (AT) transcriptomes and fatty acid distribution in apolipoprotein (apo) E-deficient mice. Chow-fed apoE-deficient mice were exposed to 1) chronic intranasal infection with C. pneumoniae (Cpn group), 2) recurrent intravenous infection with A. actinomycetemcomitans (Aa group), 3) a combination of both types of infection (Cpn + Aa group), or 4) infection with the vehicle (control group). Epididymal and inguinal AT gene expression was analyzed using an Illumina Mouse WG-6 v2.0 platform and quantitative PCR (QPCR). Microarray data were analyzed using Gene Ontology enrichment analysis. AT fatty acid analysis was performed using gas-liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The transcriptomics data revealed significant enrichment in inflammation-associated biological pathways in both AT depots derived from the Aa and Cpn + Aa treated mice compared with the control group. The proportion of saturated fatty acids was higher in the inguinal AT in Aa (p = 0.027) and Cpn + Aa (p = 0.009) groups and in the epididymal AT in Aa group (p = 0.003). The proportion of polyunsaturated fatty acids was significantly lower among all Aa-infected groups in both depots. Chronic Cpn infection displayed only minor effects on transcriptomics and fatty acids of the AT depots. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic infection with A. actinomycetemcomitans activates inflammation-related biological pathways and modulates cellular lipid homeostasis. The adverse changes in adipose tissues during chronic infection may promote atherosclerosis.

Fatty acids in serum and diet--a canonical correlation analysis among toddlers.

Fatty acid concentrations in blood are potential biomarkers of dietary fat intake, but methodological studies among children are scarce. The large number of fatty acids and their complex interrelationships pose a special challenge in research on fatty acids. Our target was to assess the interrelationships between the total fatty acid profiles in diet and serum of young children. The study subjects were healthy control children from the birth cohort of the Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention Study. A 3-day food record and a frozen serum sample were available from 135 children at the age of 1 year, from 133 at 2 years, and from 92 at 3 years. The relationship between dietary and serum fatty acid profiles was analysed using canonical correlation analysis. The consumption of fatty milk correlated positively with serum fatty acids, pentadecanoic acid, palmitic acid and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) at all ages. Correlations between dietary and serum eicosapentaenoic and/or docosahexaenoic acid were observed at 2 and 3 years of age. Serum linoleic acid was positively associated with the consumption of infant formula at the age of 1 year, and with the consumption of vegetable margarine at 2 and 3 years. The results indicate a high quality of the 3-day food records kept by parents and other caretakers of the children, and suitability of non-fasting, un-fractioned serum samples for total fatty acid analyses. The correlation between intake of milk fat and serum proportion of CLA is a novel finding.

Prevalence of vitamin E inadequacy, dietary intake and sources of alpha-tocopherol, and predictors of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol status in adolescent girls in Central Mozambique.

An adequate alpha-tocopherol status is important for females at reproductive age. We studied the dietary intake and sources of alpha-tocopherol and alpha- and gamma-tocopherol status indicators in 14-19-year-old girls in Central Mozambique. We also explored factors associated with alpha- and gamma-tocopherol status. The participants (n 508) were from the cross-sectional ZANE Study that was conducted in 2010. We recruited two separate samples, one in January-February and the other in May-June. We collected venous blood samples and conducted 24 h dietary recall interviews. At the time of blood sampling, 11 % of participants were pregnant and 10 % were lactating. In the total sample, both seasons combined, the median intake of alpha-tocopherol was 6⋅7 mg/d, the mean plasma alpha- and gamma-tocopherol concentrations were 13⋅5 and 0⋅75 µmol/l, respectively, and the prevalence of vitamin E inadequacy (alpha-tocopherol <12 µmol/l) was 36⋅7 % (95 % CI: 31⋅9-42⋅0 %). Season and lactation status were significant predictors of alpha-tocopherol status regardless of which the three indicators (plasma concentration, alpha-tocopherol:total cholesterol ratio, gamma-tocopherol:alpha-tocopherol ratio) were used. Being a lactating mother was negatively associated and having a blood sample taken in January-February, when the main sources of alpha-tocopherol were mango and dark green leafy vegetables, was positively associated with alpha-tocopherol status. In conclusion, vitamin E inadequacy was common in Central Mozambique, and the status may fluctuate due to seasonal changes in the diet. We suggest that lactating mothers are specifically at risk of poor alpha-tocopherol status in resource-poor settings.

The use of fasting vs. non-fasting triglyceride concentration for estimating the prevalence of high LDL-cholesterol and metabolic syndrome in population surveys.

BACKGROUND: For practical reasons it is not easy to obtain fasting samples in large population health surveys. Non-fasting triglyceride (Tg) values are difficult to interpret. The authors compared the accuracy of statistically corrected non-fasting Tg values with true fasting values and estimated the misclassification of subjects with high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and the metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Non-fasting blood was obtained from a population-based sample of 4282 individuals aged 24-75 years in the National FINRISK 2007 Study. Fasting blood samples were drawn from the same persons 3 months later. Non-fasting serum Tg values were converted into fasting values using previously published formula. LDL-C was calculated and classification of the metabolic syndrome was carried out according to three different latest guidelines. RESULTS: The median (25th, 75th percentile) non-fasting serum Tg concentration was 1.18 (0.87, 1.72) mmol/L and after postprandial correction 1.06 (0.78, 1.52) mmol/L. The true-fasting serum Tg concentration was 1.00 (0.75, 1.38) mmol/L (P < 0.001) vs. non-fasting and corrected value. Bias of the corrected value was +5.9% compared with the true-fasting Tg. Of the true fasting subjects, 56.4% had LDL-C ≥ 3.00 mmol/L. When calculated using non-fasting serum Tg, the prevalence of high LDL-C was 51.3% and using statistically corrected Tg it was 54.8%. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 35.5% among fully fasted persons and among non-fasting subjects 39.7%, which after statistical correction of Tg decreased to 37.6% (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). CONCLUSIONS: Correction of non-fasting serum Tg to fasting values plays a minor role in population studies but nevertheless reduces misclassification of calculated high LDL-C from 5.1 to 1.6% and the metabolic syndrome from 4.2 to 2.1%.

Taxonomic signatures of cause-specific mortality risk in human gut microbiome.

The collection of fecal material and developments in sequencing technologies have enabled standardised and non-invasive gut microbiome profiling. Microbiome composition from several large cohorts have been cross-sectionally linked to various lifestyle factors and diseases. In spite of these advances, prospective associations between microbiome composition and health have remained uncharacterised due to the lack of sufficiently large and representative population cohorts with comprehensive follow-up data. Here, we analyse the long-term association between gut microbiome variation and mortality in a well-phenotyped and representative population cohort from Finland (n = 7211). We report robust taxonomic and functional microbiome signatures related to the Enterobacteriaceae family that are associated with mortality risk during a 15-year follow-up. Our results extend previous cross-sectional studies, and help to establish the basis for examining long-term associations between human gut microbiome composition, incident outcomes, and general health status.

Chlamydial and periodontal pathogens induce hepatic inflammation and fatty acid imbalance in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

Periodontitis and Chlamydia pneumoniae infection are independent risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of C. pneumoniae and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans infection on hepatic inflammation and lipid homeostasis of apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Mice were infected with viable C. pneumoniae intranasally three times for chronic infection or once for acute infection. Viable A. actinomycetemcomitans was administered 10 times intravenously alone or in concert with C. pneumoniae. Hepatic alterations were assessed by histochemistry, lipid quantification, and fatty acid profile analysis. The RNA expression levels and the presence of pathogens in the livers and lungs were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. Both pathogens were detected in the livers of the infected animals. Chronic C. pneumoniae infection induced marked changes in hepatic lipid homeostasis. A. actinomycetemcomitans infection resulted in inflammatory cell infiltration into the liver, accompanied by elevated hepatic RNA expression levels of inflammation-related genes and higher serum amyloid A and lipopolysaccharide concentrations. Our results indicate that proatherogenic pathogens infect the liver, causing proinflammatory alterations and lipid disturbances. This infection may maintain chronic systemic inflammation attributable to atherogenesis.

Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation and asymmetrical dimethylarginine in the cardiovascular risk in young Finns study.

BACKGROUND: Elevated asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a novel risk factor for atherosclerosis that may impair endothelial function by interfering with endothelial nitric oxide synthesis. To gain insight into the effects of ADMA on systemic endothelial function, we examined the association between ADMA and brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) in a large population of young adults. METHODS AND RESULTS: Plasma ADMA and brachial FMD, as well as conventional cardiovascular risk factors, were measured in 2096 white adults aged 24 to 39 years. In univariate analysis, ADMA was inversely correlated with FMD (r=-0.07, P=0.003). The inverse association between ADMA and FMD remained significant in a multivariable regression model adjusted for age, sex, conventional cardiovascular risk factors, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and brachial artery baseline diameter (beta+/-SE -1.56+/-0.62%, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that elevated plasma ADMA concentrations are associated with decreased brachial FMD responses in healthy adults. These data provide evidence at the population level that ADMA levels are associated with endothelial function.

Favorable effects of berry consumption on platelet function, blood pressure, and HDL cholesterol.

BACKGROUND: Berries are a particularly rich source of polyphenols. They also contain other bioactive substances, such as vitamin C. Previous studies indicated that the consumption of polyphenol-rich foods (eg, cocoa, tea, and red wine) may induce beneficial changes in pathways related to cardiovascular health. Whether the consumption of berries has similar effects is unknown. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effects of berry consumption on hemostatic function, serum lipids, and blood pressure (BP). DESIGN: Middle-aged unmedicated subjects (n = 72) with cardiovascular risk factors consumed moderate amounts of berry or control products for 8 wk in a single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention trial. RESULTS: Berry consumption inhibited platelet function as measured with a platelet function analyzer (using collagen and ADP as platelet activator) [changes: 11% and -1.4% in the berry and control groups, respectively; P = 0.018, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA)]. Plasma biomarkers of platelet activation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis did not change during the intervention. Serum HDL-cholesterol concentrations increased significantly more (P = 0.006, ANCOVA) in the berry than in the control group (5.2% and 0.6%, respectively), but total cholesterol and triacylglycerol remained unchanged. Systolic BP decreased significantly (P = 0.050, ANCOVA); the decrease mostly occurred in subjects with high baseline BP (7.3 mm Hg in highest tertile; P = 0.024, ANCOVA). Polyphenol and vitamin C concentrations in plasma increased, whereas other nutritional biomarkers (ie, folate, tocopherols, sodium, and potassium) were unaffected. CONCLUSION: The consumption of moderate amounts of berries resulted in favorable changes in platelet function, HDL cholesterol, and BP. The results indicate that regular consumption of berries may play a role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has a role in regulating systemic vascular tone in young healthy subjects: the cardiovascular risk in young Finns study.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate whether plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) has any role in predicting hemodynamic responses in clinically healthy young subjects. ADMA, as an endogenous nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor, has been demonstrated to associate with hypertension and vascular reactivity in experimental but not undoubtedly in physiological settings. METHODS: A total of 199 subjects aged 31.4 years (range 24-39 years) were studied. Plasma ADMA and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) were assessed by isocratic high-pressure liquid chromatography using precolumn derivatization with o-phtaldialdehyde at baseline. Blood pressure (BP) was measured by casual measurements in the beginning of the study and after a follow-up period of 2.45 +/- 0.42 years (range, 1.86-3.19 years). Hemodynamic regulation was assessed by noninvasive methods after a follow-up. RESULTS: Plasma ADMA had a negative association with resting systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) (r = -0.23, P < 0.01) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) (r = -0.17, P < 0.05) and positive association with cardiac index (CI) (r = 0.21, P < 0.01) after the follow-up. Plasma ADMA had also negative association with responses of SVRI (r = -0.19, P < 0.01) and positive association with CI (r = 0.25, P < 0.001) in a hemodynamic reactivity test. In a multivariate linear model (R2 = 0.20, P < 0.00001), diastolic BP (R = 0.37, P < 0.00001) and ADMA (R = -0.20, P < 0.01) were significant predictors of SVRI. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that plasma ADMA seems to play a role in the regulation of vascular tone in young healthy subjects.

Systematic error of serum triglyceride measurements during three decades and the effect of fasting on serum triglycerides in population studies.

BACKGROUND: An uncontrolled systematic error in serum biomarkers may be a serious problem when comparing their trends both within and between populations. The aim of the study was to assess which factors are responsible for systematic errors in the measurement of serum triglycerides (Tg) and the effect of fasting on serum triglycerides in Finnish population surveys. METHODS: Data on precision and accuracy during 30 years for serum triglycerides were documented from participation in 492 rounds of five different external quality assessment (EQA) programs. Data on fasting and health status from questionnaires were combined from three population surveys comprising 27,131 participants. RESULTS: The mean annual accuracy (bias) of the Tg methods from all EQAs during 1978-2007 was -1.54% (95% CI -2.25, -0.83). The mean relative change in triglyceride concentration per fasting hour was -3.7% (95% CI -4.2, -3.1) in all subjects. A minimum serum Tg concentration was seen in men and women who had fasted for at least 8 and 7 h, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The mean bias in serum Tg analyses has been very small throughout the 30-year period. Fasting has a considerable effect on triglyceride levels, but they can be converted either to fasting or non-fasting levels using specific factors.

Standardisation of laboratories engaged in lipid analyses of population health examination surveys.

BACKGROUND: Reliable data on clinical biomarkers are necessary in order to assess the health risks of populations and especially in assessing long-term trends related to disease incidence. METHODS: Ten European laboratories participated in a two-phase quality control exercise of total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) analysis. The European Health Examination Survey Reference Laboratory prepared plasma batches for analysis, and provided target values for them. Two criteria were set for the precision and the systematic error (bias). Three plasma samples were analysed in duplicate on separate days (n=12). RESULTS: In Round 1, all laboratories met the acceptable criterion (3%) for precision of TC. The mean bias of all laboratories was 0.99% (95% CI 0.03% to 1.95%). Six laboratories measured samples from Round 2. Five laboratories met the goal criterion of 3%; one failed to meet the acceptable criterion of 5%. The mean bias for HDL-C of the three batches of six laboratories was within goal limits (±5% from target) and that of all 10 within acceptable (±10%). The mean bias of all laboratories was 1.1% (95% CI -0.18 to 2.32). In Round 2 four laboratories met the goal criterion and one the acceptable criterion. CONCLUSION: The quality control exercise demonstrated that although the majority of the laboratories met the strict criteria for systematic error for TC and HDL-C, standardisation of methods is still needed to improve the accuracy of biomarker measurements of laboratories engaged in population health surveys. A protocol is recommended for obtaining reliable and comparable biomarker data between countries.

Carotenoid Intake and Serum Concentration in Young Finnish Children and Their Relation with Fruit and Vegetable Consumption.

Fruit and vegetable intake has been associated with a reduced risk of many chronic diseases. These foods are the main dietary source of carotenoids. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the associations between dietary intake and serum concentrations of α- and ß-carotene in a sample of young Finnish children from the population-based birth cohort of the Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention (DIPP) Study. The current analysis comprised 3-day food records and serum samples from 207 children aged 1, 2 and 3 years. Spearman and partial correlations, as well as a cross-classification analyses, were used to assess the relationship between dietary intake and the corresponding biomarkers. Serum concentrations of α- and ß-carotene were significantly higher among the 1-year-old compared to the 3-year-old children. Dietary intakes of α- and ß-carotene correlated significantly with their respective serum concentrations in all age groups, the association being highest at the age of 1 year (α-carotene r = 0.48; p < 0.001 and ß-carotene r = 0.47; p < 0.001), and lowest at the age of 3 years (α-carotene r = 0.44; p < 0.001 and ß-carotene r = 0.30; p < 0.001). A cross-classification showed that 72⁻81% of the participants were correctly classified to the same or adjacent quartile, when comparing the reported dietary intakes and the concentrations of the corresponding carotenoid in serum. The 3-day food record seems to be reasonably valid in the assessment of root vegetable consumption among young Finnish children. Root vegetables were the main dietary source of both carotenoids in all age groups. The high consumption of commercial baby foods among the 1-year-old children was reflected in the relatively high dietary intake and serum concentration of both carotenoids.

Systemic exposure to Porphyromonas gingivalis predicts incident stroke.

Periodontitis has been associated with an increased risk for atherosclerosis. Prospective data concerning its association with risk of stroke, especially those measuring systemic exposure to periodontal pathogens, are scarce. We analyzed if serum antibody levels to two major periodontopathogens predict stroke. The cases and the controls were nested in a random population-based sample of 8911 subjects aged 30-59 years at baseline, who participated in a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor survey in Eastern Finland in 1977 and were followed for 15 years. CVD-free controls (n=516) were matched for sex and 5-year age group with stroke cases (n=470). In subjects free from CVD at baseline (n=893), systemic exposure to Porphyromonas gingivalis increased the risk of stroke: compared to seronegative subjects, men IgA-seropositive and women IgG-seropositive for P. gingivalis had a multivariate odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) of 1.63 (1.06-2.50) and 2.30 (1.39-3.78) for stroke, respectively. Higher OR was observed in males, who had never smoked: compared to seronegative men, P. gingivalis IgA-seropositive men had a multivariate OR of 3.31 (1.31-8.40, p=0.012) for stroke. No association between antibody levels to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and stroke was found. The results suggest that the systemic exposure to P. gingivalis may predispose to incident stroke.

Serum cholesterol during 27 years: assessment of systematic error and affecting factors and their role in interpreting population trends.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to assess which factors cause a systematic error in serum total cholesterol measurements and how bias can influence the interpretation of serum cholesterol changes of the Finnish population. METHODS: Data on precision and accuracy during 27 years for serum total cholesterol were documented from participation in 438 rounds of five different external quality assessment (EQA) programs. RESULTS: The mean annual accuracy (bias) of the cholesterol assay using the results from all EQAs during 1978-2004 was -0.74% (95%CI -0.88 to -0.60). An exceptionally large deviation in bias coincided with the introduction of a new serum calibrator lot. New methods or instrumentation had only a minor impact on serum cholesterol bias. The mean serum cholesterol bias during the latest five population studies in 1982-2002 was -0.10% (95%CI -0.60 to 0.40) but comparison of the bias between the last study (CDC EQA in 2002) and the four previous ones (WHO EQA) showed a net difference of 3.32% (p<0.001). Correcting the mean serum cholesterol of men with respect to WHO and CDC EQA bias changed the interpretation for the last two survey years from an increase of 1.8% to no change. CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to participate in EQA programs, which include target values measured by the CDC cholesterol reference method and then to perform bias corrections on the mean cholesterol values of the populations.

Serum antibody levels to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans predict the risk for coronary heart disease.

OBJECTIVE: The association between serum antibody levels to major periodontal pathogens and coronary heart disease (CHD) was analyzed in a prospective population-based study. METHODS AND RESULTS: The population comprised 1023 men (aged 46 to 64 years) in the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Study. The subjects with CHD at baseline (n=113) were more often seropositive for Porphyromonas gingivalis IgA (38.9% versus 28.5%, P=0.021) and IgG (60.2% versus 46.7%, P=0.007) than those without CHD. During the 10-year follow-up, 109 men free from CHD at baseline experienced an acute myocardial infarction or CHD death. The men with an end point were more often seropositive for Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans IgA (15.5% versus 10.2%, P=0.019) than those who remained healthy. In the highest tertile of A. actinomycetemcomitans IgA-antibodies compared with the lowest one, the relative risk (RR) for an end point adjusted for CHD risk factors was 2.0 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 3.3). In the Porphyromonas gingivalis IgA-antibody tertiles, the highest RR of 2.1 (1.3 to 3.4) was observed in the second tertile. All antibody levels correlated positively with the carotid artery intima-media thickness. CONCLUSIONS: High-serum antibody levels to major periodontal pathogens are associated with subclinical, prevalent, and future incidence of CHD. Periodontal pathogens or host response against them may contribute to the pathogenesis of CHD.

Consumption of juice fortified with oregano extract markedly increases excretion of phenolic acids but lacks short- and long-term effects on lipid peroxidation in healthy nonsmoking men.

Oregano has been shown to possess antioxidant capacity in various in vitro models and has thus been suggested to be potentially beneficial to human health, but studies in humans are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the bioavailability and the effects of Origanum vulgare extract supplementation on serum lipids and lipid peroxidation in healthy nonsmoking men. A four-week double-blinded supplementation trial was concluded in which volunteers (n = 45) were randomized to consume daily mango-orange juice (placebo), mango-orange juice enriched with 300 mg/d total phenolic compounds from oregano extract, or mango-orange juice enriched with 600 mg/d total phenolic compounds from oregano extract. The excretion of phenolic compounds was markedly increased in the higher phenolic group as compared to the placebo group, but no significant changes were observed in the safety parameters, serum lipids, or biomarkers of lipid peroxidation.

Food and Nutrient Intake and Nutritional Status of Finnish Vegans and Non-Vegetarians.

BACKGROUND: Vegetarian and vegan diets have become more popular among adolescents and young adults. However, few studies have investigated the nutritional status of vegans, who may be at risk of nutritional deficiencies. OBJECTIVE: To compare dietary intake and nutritional status of Finnish long-term vegans and non-vegetarians. METHODS: Dietary intake and supplement use were estimated using three-day dietary records. Nutritional status was assessed by measuring biomarkers in plasma, serum, and urine samples. Vegans' (n = 22) data was compared with those of sex- and age-matched non-vegetarians (n = 19). RESULTS: All vegans adhered strictly to their diet; however, individual variability was marked in food consumption and supplementation habits. Dietary intakes of key nutrients, vitamins B12 and D, were lower (P < 0.001) in vegans than in non-vegetarians. Nutritional biomarker measurements showed lower concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3), iodine and selenium (corrected for multiple comparisons, P < 0.001), Vegans showed more favorable fatty acid profiles (P < 0.001) as well as much higher concentrations of polyphenols such as genistein and daidzein (P < 0.001). Eicosapentaenoic acid proportions in vegans were higher than expected. The median concentration of iodine in urine was below the recommended levels in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term consumption of a vegan diet was associated with some favorable laboratory measures but also with lowered concentrations of key nutrients compared to reference values. This study highlights the need for nutritional guidance to vegans.

The effects of coffee consumption on lipid peroxidation and plasma total homocysteine concentrations: a clinical trial.

Despite extensive research, the cardiovascular effects of coffee consumption in humans remain controversial. Our aim was to investigate the excretion of coffee phenols and the effects of filtered coffee consumption on oxidative stress and plasma homocysteine (tHcy) concentration in humans. The study consisted of a multiple-dose clinical supplementation trial and a single-dose study. In the long-term trial, 43 healthy nonsmoking men optionally consumed daily either no coffee, 3 cups (450 mL), or 6 cups (900 mL) of filtered coffee for 3 weeks, while in the short-term study 35 subjects consumed a single dose of 0, 1 (150 mL), or 2 cups (300 mL) of coffee. Long-term consumption of coffee increased the urinary excretion of caffeic and ferulic acid. The change in the total excretion of phenolic acids in 3 and 6 cups groups represented 3.8 and 2.5% of the amount ingested daily. Plasma tHcy concentrations increased nonsignificantly, but the consumption of coffee had neither short-nor long-term effects on lipid peroxidation or the activity of measured antioxidant enzymes. In conclusion, the consumption of filtered coffee does not have any detectable effects on lipid peroxidation in healthy nonsmoking men. The effect of coffee consumption on tHcy concentrations needs further investigation.