Plasma matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 levels are reduced following low-calorie cranberry juice supplementation in men.

OBJECTIVE: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, also known as gelatinase B, is implicated in the development of hypertension and atherosclerotic plaque vulnerability to rupture, an important step in the etiology of cardiovascular diseases. Studies have suggested that flavonoid consumption may be cardioprotective, and its favorable impact on circulating MMP-9 concentrations could partly explain this association. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of consuming increasing daily doses of low-calorie cranberry juice cocktail (CJC) on plasma MMP-9 concentrations of abdominally obese men. METHODS: Thirty men (mean age +/- SD: 51 +/- 10 years) consumed increasing doses of CJC during 3 successive periods of 4 weeks (weeks 1-4: 125 ml/day, weeks 5-8: 250 ml/day, and weeks 9-12: 500 ml/day). Before the study and after each phase, a series of physical and metabolic variables were measured, including MMP-9. RESULTS: We found that CJC supplementation significantly decreased plasma MMP-9 concentrations (mean +/- SEM: -36% +/- 9%, p < 0.0005; week 12 vs. baseline) while baseline plasma MMP-9 concentrations strongly correlated with the changes noted over the entire intervention (r = -0.71, p < 0.0001). We also show that the reduction in plasma MMP-9 levels was associated with a change in plasma nitrites/nitrates (NOx) concentration over the entire intervention (r = -0.38, p < 0.05; week 12 vs. baseline). Significant correlations were also noted between changes in plasma MMP-9 levels and those of systolic (r = 0.39, p < 0.05) and diastolic (r = 0.60, p < 0.001) blood pressure during the course of the study (week 12 vs. baseline). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that daily CJC consumption is associated with a decrease in plasma MMP-9 concentrations in abdominally obese men. We hypothesize that polyphenolic compounds from cranberries may be responsible for this effect, supporting the notion that the consumption of flavonoid-rich foods can exert cardioprotective effects.

Evidences of the cardioprotective potential of fruits: the case of cranberries.

Eating a healthy balanced diet, is one of the most important and relevant ways to delay and prevent various health complications including cardiovascular disease (CVD). Among the nutritional factors that have been investigated in recent years, dietary fat intake may be the one that has been most targeted. However, there is also clear epidemiological evidence that increased fruits and vegetables intake can significantly reduce the risk of CVD, an effect that has been suggested to be resulting to a significant extent, from the high polyphenol content of these foods. Numerous polyphenolic compounds such as flavonoids have been identified as having strong antioxidant properties. Most interesting is the fact that, in addition to being one of the largest groups of antioxidant phytochemicals, flavonoids are also an integral part of the human diet as they are found in most fruits and vegetables. Cranberries are one of the most important sources of flavonoids that have a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities. Thus, consumption of cranberries or their related products could be of importance not only in the maintenance of health but also in preventing CVD. The following review will present evidences supported for the most part by clinical observations that cranberries can exert potentially healthy effects for your heart.

Associations between hypertriglyceridemia, dietary fat intake, oxidative stress, and endothelial activation in men.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the associations between intake of different types of dietary fat and plasma levels of oxidative stress and endothelial activation markers in men. METHODS: For that purpose, a complete physical and metabolic profile was assessed. Dietary habits of subjects were determined with a 3-d food record. We also measured fasting plasma 8-iso-prostaglandin F2alpha and oxidized low-density lipoprotein concentrations and soluble forms of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1), and E-selectin. All these measurements were performed with commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits and standards. RESULTS: We found that a high total dietary fat intake was associated with high plasma sICAM-1 (r = 0.40, P < 0.005), sVCAM-1 (r = 0.31, P < 0.05), and E-selectin (r = 0.28, P < 0.05) levels. We also found that in men matched for plasma triacylglycerol levels, those consuming a diet rich in total fat (>105 g/d, n = 21) were characterized by higher circulating levels of sICAM-1 (P < 0.05) and E-selectin (P < 0.05) compared with triacylglycerol-matched individuals with a low total dietary fat intake (<105 g/d, n = 21). However, no significant difference was noted in plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels between groups. Further, we conducted multivariate analyses and found that saturated fatty acid intake was the only dietary variable after inclusion of other dietary variables that contributed to circulating sICAM-1 (P < 0.05) and sVCAM-1 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that high dietary fat consumption is associated with endothelial activation in men and that this detrimental effect is likely attributable to the saturated fatty acid content of the diet.

Circulating levels of oxidative stress markers and endothelial adhesion molecules in men with abdominal obesity.

CONTEXT: It has been suggested that oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction could play a role in the higher cardiovascular disease risk noted in the abdominally obese population. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the associations between abdominal fat accumulation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction in men. DESIGN: A complete physical and metabolic profile was assessed in a group of 56 men covering a wide range of adiposity and plasma oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL), and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin, and C-reactive protein concentrations were determined. RESULTS: We found that abdominal visceral adipose tissue was positively associated with plasma OxLDL (r = 0.52; P < 0.0001) and C-reactive protein (r = 0.60; P < 0.0001) concentrations. We also found significant associations between plasma E-selectin levels and hyperinsulinemia (r = 0.39; P < 0.005) as well as with the homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance (r = 0.42; P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that plasma OxLDL levels and low-grade systemic inflammation are increased in men with a high visceral adipose tissue accumulation. Furthermore, our results support the notion that insulin resistance is associated with endothelial activation. Overall, our observations give us further insights on the increased cardiovascular disease risk frequently noted among viscerally obese, insulin-resistant individuals.

Changes in plasma antioxidant capacity and oxidized low-density lipoprotein levels in men after short-term cranberry juice consumption.

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation is closely implicated in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD), and thus, reducing LDL susceptibility to oxidation with antoxidants could be of importance in CVD prevention. Flavonoids, polyphenolic compounds found in a large selection of fruits and vegetables, have been characterized as having a strong antioxidant potential, and intake of flavonoid-rich foods has been related to decreased morbidity and mortality from heart disease. The present study was therefore undertaken to investigate the effect of flavonoid-rich cranberry juice supplementation on plasma lipoprotein levels and LDL oxidation. For that purpose, 21 men (age +/- SD, 38 +/- 8 years) were enrolled in a 14-day intervention and instructed to drink cranberry juice 7 mL/kg body weight per day. Physical and metabolic measures including plasma lipid and oxidized LDL (OxLDL) concentrations as well as antioxidant capacity were performed before and after the intervention. At baseline, we found that plasma OxLDL levels were significantly associated with waist circumference ( r = 0.47, P = .0296) as well as plasma triglyceride ( r = 0.68, P = .0007) and apolipoprotein B ( r = 0.91, P < .0001) concentrations. The intervention led to a reduction in plasma OxLDL levels (-9.9% +/- 17.8%, P = .0131) and increase in antioxidant capacity (+6.5% +/- 10.3%, P = .0140). However, no relationship was found between both of these changes ( r = -.01, not significant). The intervention did not result in any improvement of plasma lipoprotein-lipid or inflammatory marker concentrations. Our results show that short-term cranberry juice supplementation is associated with significant increase in plasma antioxidant capacity and reduction in circulating OxLDL concentrations. Although the physiological relevance of our observations needs to be further examined, our study supports the potential role of antioxidant-rich foods in maintaining health and preventing CVD.

Soft drink consumption and multimorbidity among adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We aimed to examine the association between soft drink consumption and multimorbidity among adults in South Australia. METHODS: Data were collected using a risk factor surveillance system between 2008 and 2013. Each month a representative random sample of South Australians are selected from the Electronic White Pages with interviews conducted using Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI). We define multimorbidity as currently having two or more of nine chronic conditions: asthma, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), mental health problems, osteoporosis, and arthritis. RESULTS: Among 36,663 participants aged over 16 years old, 10.5% reported daily soft drink consumption of more than half a litre and 28.5% had multimorbidity. Soft drink consumption was positively associated with all nine chronic diseases except osteoporosis. High levels of soft drink consumption were positively associated with multimorbidity and increased with the number of chronic diseases. In the multivariable analysis, after adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors, comparing those who consumed more than half a litre of soft drink per day with those not consuming soft drink, the relative risk ratios (RRRs) for multimorbidity were 1.87 (95% CI 1.61-2.17) and higher for women 2.18 (95% CI 1.78-2.66). Multimorbidity prevalence increased with age but its association with soft drink consumption was stronger in those under 60 years old. In 2008, close to one out of three participants with multimorbidity had a high level of soft drink consumption. The prevalence of high levels of soft drink consumption decreased over the five years. CONCLUSION: There is a positive association between consumption of soft drink and multimorbidity among adults in South Australia and this relationship is stronger in younger people. This has implications for population level strategies to reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases and multimorbidity.

Understanding the evolution of multimorbidity: evidences from the North West Adelaide Health Longitudinal Study (NWAHS).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to describe the evolution of multimorbidity. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Data from 1854 South Australians who participated in the North West Adelaide longitudinal Health Study (NWAHS) was collected between baseline (2000-2002) and follow-up (2008-2010). Status for eight chronic diseases (CDs) was determined by biomedical measurement or self-report. Chronic disease (CD) mean age of occurrence and order of appearance was investigated. RESULTS: The prevalence of multimorbidity increased from 32% to 64% during the 7.8±1.1 years of follow-up. The estimated mean age of onset of a new CD was significantly older for hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and younger for hypercholesterolemia, asthma and other mental problem. Hypercholesterolemia was more likely to develop as a first than as a subsequent CD (39%vs.16%, p<0.0001) while CVD (1%vs.5%, p<0.0001), diabetes (5%vs.11%, p<0.001) and COPD (6%vs.16%, p<0.0001) were less likely. The presence of mood disorders at baseline was associated with an increased risk of developing other mental disorders (36%vs.12%, p<0.0001), diabetes (18%vs.9%, p<0.01) and asthma (30%vs.21%, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Longitudinal data could be used to study the evolution of multimorbidity and could provide information on CDs mean age of occurrence, order of appearance and impact on the development of future CDs.

Association between nutrition and the evolution of multimorbidity: the importance of fruits and vegetables and whole grain products.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Multimorbidity is a common health status. The impact of nutrition on the development of multimorbidity remains to be determined. The aim of this study is to determine the association between foods, macronutrients and micronutrients and the evolution of multimorbidity. METHODS: Data from 1020 Chinese who participated in the Jiangsu longitudinal Nutrition Study (JIN) were collected in 2002 (baseline) and 2007 (follow-up). Three-day weighted food records and status for 11 chronic diseases was determined using biomedical measures (hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia and anemia) or self-reports (coronary heart disease, asthma, stroke, cancer, fracture, arthritis and hepatitis). Participants were divided in six categories of stage of evolution of multimorbidity. Association of foods, macronutrients and micronutrients at baseline with stages in the evolution of multimorbidity were determined. Data were adjusted for age, sex, BMI, marital status, sedentary lifestyle, smoking status, annual income, education and energy intake. RESULTS: The prevalence of multimorbidity increased from 14% to 34%. A high consumption of fruit and vegetables (p < 0.05) and grain products other than rice and wheat (p < 0.001) were associated with healthier stages in the evolution of multimorbidity. The consumption of grain products other than rice and wheat was highly correlated with dietary fibers (r = 0.77, p < 0.0001), iron (r = 0.46, p < 0.0001), magnesium (r = 0.49, p < 0.0001) and phosphorus (r = 0.57, p < 0.0001) intake which were also associated with healthier stages. CONCLUSION: This study provides the first evidence of an association between nutrition and evolution towards multimorbidity. More precisely, greater consumption of fruits and vegetable and whole grain products consumption appear to lower the risk of multimorbidity.

Evidence that cranberry juice may improve augmentation index in overweight men.

The stiffening of arteries is a key step in atherogenesis leading to cardiovascular disease. It has been suggested that dietary polyphenols may be cardioprotective through possible favorable effects on oxidative stress and vascular function. The present study was undertaken in order to examine the effect of consuming low-calorie cranberry juice cocktail (CJC), a source of polyphenols, on arterial stiffness in abdominally obese men. We hypothesize that regular CJC consumption will reduce circulating oxidized low-density lipoproteins concentrations and have a beneficial impact on endothelial function. Thirty-five men (mean age ± SD: 45 ± 10 years) were randomly assigned to drink 500 mL CJC/day (27% juice) or 500 mL placebo juice (PJ)/day for 4 weeks in a double-blind crossover design. Augmentation index (AIx), an index of arterial stiffness, was measured by applanation tonometry of the radial artery and the cardiometabolic profile was assessed in each participant before and after each phase of the study. We found no significant difference in AIx changes between men who consumed CJC or PJ for 4 weeks (P = .5820). Furthermore, there was no between-treatment difference in changes in AIx responses to salbutamol (P = .6303) and glyceryl trinitrate (P = .4224). No significant difference was noted in other cardiometabolic variables between men consuming PJ or CJC. However, a significant within group decrease in AIx (mean decrease ± SE; -14.0 ± 5.8%, P = .019) was noted following the consumption of 500 mL CJC/day for 4 weeks. Our results indicate that the effect of chronic consumption of CJC on AIx was not significantly different from changes associated with the consumption of PJ. However, the significant within-group decrease in AIx following CJC consumption in abdominally obese men may deserve further investigation.

Low-calorie cranberry juice supplementation reduces plasma oxidized LDL and cell adhesion molecule concentrations in men.

Elevated circulating concentrations of oxidized LDL (OxLDL) and cell adhesion molecules are considered to be relevant markers of oxidative stress and endothelial activation which are implicated in the development of CVD. On the other hand, it has been suggested that dietary flavonoid consumption may be cardioprotective through possible favourable impacts on LDL particle oxidation and endothelial activation. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of the daily consumption of low-calorie cranberry juice cocktail on plasma OxLDL, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin concentrations in men. Thirty men (mean age 51 (sd 10) years) were recruited and asked to consume increasing daily doses of cranberry juice cocktail (125, 250 and 500 ml/d) over three successive periods of 4 weeks. Plasma OxLDL and adhesion molecule concentrations were measured by ELISA before and after each phase. We noted a significant decrease in plasma OxLDL concentrations following the intervention (P < 0.0001). We also found that plasma ICAM-1 (P < 0.0001) and VCAM-1 (P < 0.05) concentrations decreased significantly during the course of the study. In summary, the present results show that daily cranberry juice cocktail consumption is associated with decreases in plasma OxLDL, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 concentrations in men.

Favourable impact of low-calorie cranberry juice consumption on plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations in men.

A low HDL-cholesterol concentration is an independent risk factor for CVD. Studies have suggested that flavonoid consumption may be cardioprotective, and a favourable impact on circulating HDL-cholesterol concentrations has been suggested to partially explain this association. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of consuming increasing daily doses of low-calorie cranberry juice cocktail (CJC) on the plasma lipid profile of abdominally obese men. For that purpose, thirty men (mean age 51 (SD 10) years) consumed increasing doses of CJC during three successive periods of 4 weeks (125 ml/d, 250 ml/d, 500 ml/d). Before the study and after each phase, we measured changes in physical and metabolic variables. We noted a significant increase in plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration after the consumption of 250 ml CJC/d (+8.6+/-14.0% v. 0 ml CJC/d; P<0.01), an effect that plateaued during the last phase of the study (500 ml CJC/d: +8.1+/-10.0% v. 0 ml CJC/d; P<0.0001). Multivariate analyses revealed that changes in plasma apo A-I (R(2)=48%, P<0.0001) and triacylglycerol (R(2)=16%, P<0.005) concentrations were the only variables significantly contributing to the variation in plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration noted in response to the intervention. No variation was observed in total as well as in LDL and VLDL cholesterol. The present results show that daily CJC consumption is associated with an increase in plasma HDL-cholesterol concentrations in abdominally obese men. We hypothesise that polyphenolic compounds from cranberries may be responsible for this effect, supporting the notion that the consumption of flavonoid-rich foods can be cardioprotective.