Calcium and vitamin D supplement intake may increase arterial stiffness in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

OBJECTIVES: Low serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) have been associated with a higher frequency of risk factors and cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association of 25(OH)D, cardiovascular risk factors, and subclinical atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. METHOD: Forty-seven female SLE patients were studied. Data collected included demographics, SLE activity, disease damage, cardiovascular risk factors, and markers of subclinical atherosclerosis. Patient treatments and vitamin D and calcium supplementation (VitD-Ca) were recorded. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as serum 25(OH)D < 50 nmol/l measured by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography. Atherosclerosis was assessed by measuring the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) by Doppler velocimetry and intima-media thickness (IMT) by B-mode ultrasound scanning. RESULTS: 61.7% of patients were vitamin D deficient with a mean level of 31.91 ± 10.21 nmol/l. Serum vitamin D concentration was significantly higher in the 23 patients taking VitD-Ca supplements than that in patients not supplemented (p = 0.004). No significant association was found between 25(OH)D serum levels and cardiovascular risk factors, disease activity, or different treatments for SLE. A significant positive correlation was found between 25(OH)D levels, PWV (p = 0.02), and IMT (p = 0.01); moreover, patients taking VitD-Ca supplements presented an increased arterial stiffness. CONCLUSION: Patients with arterial stiffness showed higher levels of serum vitamin D and most of them were on VitD-Ca supplements. Although prospective studies with a larger number of patients and follow-up are needed, our findings suggest that VitD-Ca supplementation may have effects on SLE patients' arterial stiffness.

Reproducibility and Validity of a Food Frequency Questionnaire Designed to Assess Diet in Children Aged 4-5 Years.

BACKGROUND: The food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) is the most efficient and cost-effective method to investigate the relationship between usual diet and disease in epidemiologic studies. Although FFQs have been validated in many adult populations worldwide, the number of valid FFQ in preschool children is very scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility and validity of a semi-quantitative FFQ designed for children aged 4 to 5 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we have included 169 children aged 4-5 years from the INMA project in Valencia, a population-based prospective cohort study of mothers and children in Spain. The 105-items FFQ was administered twice to the parents or care-givers of children over a 9-month period. Reproducibility was explored by comparing intake of nutrients by the FFQs, while validity was examined by comparing the nutrient values from the FFQs with the average nutrient values of three 24 hour dietary recall (24hDR) taken in the period, and also, with the concentration in blood specimens for several vitamins (carotenoids, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin C and α-tocopherol). Pearson correlation coefficients and de-attenuated correlation coefficients were calculated and we also evaluated misclassification by quintile distribution. RESULTS: All correlation coefficients for reproducibility for nutrients and major food groups were statistically significant; the average correlation coefficients for daily intake were 0.43 for food groups and 0.41 for nutrients. The average correlation coefficients for validity for daily intakes against 24hDR was r = 0.30, and the average for de-attenuated correlation coefficients was r = 0.44. When evaluating validity against the blood concentration of vitamins, statistically significant correlations were observed for vitamin C (0.35), lycopene (0.31), ß-Cryptoxantin (0.40), and vitamin E (0.29); the average of correlation coefficients was r = 0.21. CONCLUSION: Despite some low to moderate correlations for reproducibility and validity, overall this study suggests that the FFQ may be a good method for assessing a wide range of food groups and nutrients intake in children aged 4-5 years.

Reproducibility and validity of a food frequency questionnaire among pregnant women in a Mediterranean area.

BACKGROUND: Studies exploring the role of diet during pregnancy are still scarce, in part due to the complexity of measuring diet and to the lack of valid instruments. The aim of this study was to examine the reproducibility and validity (against biochemical biomarkers) of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) in pregnant women. METHODS: Participants were 740 pregnant women from a population-based birth cohort study in Valencia (INMA Study). We compared nutrient and food intakes from FFQs estimated for two periods of pregnancy (reproducibility), and compared energy-adjusted intake of several carotenoids, folate, vitamin B12, vitamin C and α-tocopherol of the FFQ in the first trimester with their concentration in blood specimens (validity). RESULTS: Significant correlations for reproducibility were found for major food groups and nutrients but not for lycopene (r=0.06); the average correlation coefficients for daily intake were 0.51 for food groups and 0.61 for nutrients. For validity, statistically significant correlations were observed for vitamin C (0.18), α-carotene (0.32), ß-carotene (0.22), lutein-zeaxantin (0.29) and ß-cryptoxantin(0.26); non-significant correlations were observed for retinol, lycopene, α-tocopherol, vitamin B12 and folate (r≤0.12). When dietary supplement use was considered, correlations were substantially improved for folate (0.53) and to a lesser extent for vitamin B12 (0.12) and vitamin C (0.20). CONCLUSION: This study supports that the FFQ has a good reproducibility for nutrient and food intake, and can provide a valid estimate of several important nutrients during pregnancy.

Vitamin E action on oxidative state, endothelial function and morphology in long-term myocardial preservation.

This study assesses the effects of a vitamin E analogue, Trolox, on the oxidative state, endothelial function and morphology in experimental heart transplantation. Heterotopic heart transplantation was carried out in pigs: untreated after 2 and 24 hours of ischemia and treated with Trolox after 24 hours of ischemia. Prolonged preservation of donor hearts was achieved with continuous perfusion and University of Wisconsin solution, in which acid-base balance and enzymes were determined during the procedure. In recipients, hemodynamic and biochemical parameters were determined at baseline and during reperfusion. Trolox diminished the pH of the preservation solution (p<0.01), the left ventricle of the transplanted heart recovered a systolic pressure equaling that of the 2h group and higher than that of the untreated 24h group (p<0.01), the antioxidant levels were not decreased and the glutathione reductase level was maintained throughout the first part of reperfusion. In this group also there was a direct correlation between the concentration of this enzyme and the antioxidant levels (p<0.001). Although the endothelin concentrations increased, the change was less marked in the Trolox group than in the untreated 24h group (p<0.01). Morphologically, mitochondria and myocardial vessels presented a normal structure in the Trolox group, and interstitial edema, inflammatory infiltrate and contraction bands were less prominent than in the untreated group. All these effects indicate that Trolox protected the transplanted heart, at least partially, against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Mediterranean vegetable soup consumption increases plasma vitamin C and decreases F2-isoprostanes, prostaglandin E2 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in healthy humans.

Consumption of fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes including heart disease and stroke. In this work, the bioavailability of vitamin C from a Mediterranean vegetable soup (gazpacho) constituted mainly of tomato, pepper and cucumber, and its influence on plasma vitamin C, 8-epi-prostaglandin F(2alpha) (8-epi-PGF2alpha), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and the cytokines/tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and IL-6 concentrations in a healthy human population were assessed. Six men and six women consumed 500 ml of commercial gazpacho per day for 14 days, corresponding to an intake of 78 mg of ascorbic acid per day. There were no differences (P = .22) in baseline plasma vitamin C concentrations between the men and women. The maximum increase (P < .05) in plasma vitamin C occurred 4 h postdose in both men and women. Vitamin C concentrations were significantly higher (P < .03) on Days 7 and 14 of the intervention. Baseline concentrations of uric acid and 8-epi-PGF2alpha were significantly higher (P < or = .032) in men than in women. Baseline concentrations of 8-epi-PGF2alpha decreased significantly (P < or = .05) by Day 14 of the intervention. A significant inverse correlation was observed between vitamin C and 8-epi-PGF2alpha (r = -.415, P = .049). Baseline concentrations of PGF2 and MCP-1 were significantly higher (P< or = .025) in men than in women but decreased significantly (P< or = .05) by Day 14 of the intervention. No effect on TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 was observed at Day 14 of the intervention. Drinking gazpacho (500 ml/day) significantly increases plasma concentrations of vitamin C and significantly decreases 8-epi-PGF2alpha, PGE2 and MCP-1 concentrations in healthy humans.

[Ischemia-reperfusion injury during experimental heart transplantation. Evaluation of trimetazidine's cytoprotective effect]. / Daño por isquemia-reperfusión durante el trasplante cardíaco experimental. Evaluación del papel citoprotector de la trimetazidina.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to analyze the ischemia-reperfusion injury due to free radicals that occurs during heart transplantation and to determine the potential cytoprotective effect of trimetazidine. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A total of 21 orthotopic heart transplantations were performed in pigs. We divided the experimental animals into 2 groups: in group A (n=11),standard myocardial protection was used; in group B (n=10), trimetazidine was added to the cardioplegic solution used to protect the donor heart and to the solution administered to the recipient prior to release of the aortic clamp (trimetazidine, 10(-5) mol/L), and recipients were pretreated with trimetazidine, 2.5 mg/kg. Blood samples were taken from the recipients coronary sinus at three times: at baseline, during ischemia, and during reperfusion. We measured the levels of malondialdehyde, a marker of lipid peroxidation, and of several antioxidants: glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, alpha-tocopherol, and retinol. The total antioxidant status was also determined. RESULTS: Malondialdehyde production and enzymatic antioxidant activity rose during ischemia and reperfusion, while the retinol level decreased. The increases in malondialdehyde level and glutathione peroxidase activity that occurred between baseline and reperfusion were significantly higher in group A. CONCLUSIONS. The degree of lipid peroxidation and the level of activity of intracellular antioxidant mechanisms increased progressively throughout transplantation. Trimetazidine had a cytoprotective effect. It ameliorated free radical-induced reperfusion injury and modified the response pattern of several defense mechanisms.

Daño por isquemia-reperfusión durante el trasplante cardíaco experimental. Evaluación del papel citoprotector de la trimetazidina / Ischemia-reperfusion injury during experimental heart transplantation. Evaluation of trimetazidine’s cytoprotective effect

Introducción y objetivos. El objetivo de este trabajo fueanalizar el daño por isquemia-reperfusión mediado por radicales libres que se produce durante el trasplante cardíaco y eva-luar el posible efecto citoprotector de la trimetazidina (TMZ). Material y método. Se realizaron 21 trasplantes cardíacos ortotópicos en cerdos. Dividimos los experimentos en 2 grupos: A (n = 11), en el que se realizó una protección miocárdica estándar, y B (n = 10), en el que se administró TMZ en la cardioplejía empleada para parar el corazón donante (TMZ, 10–5 mol/l), como pretratamiento intravenosodel receptor (TMZ, 2,5 mg/kg) y como parte de la cardio-plejía infundida en el receptor antes de despinzar la aorta(TMZ, 10–5 mol/l). Se tomaron muestras de sangre del senocoronario del receptor en 3 momentos: basal, isquemia y reperfusión. Se determinó la concentración de malonildial-dehído como marcador de peroxidación lipídica y de variosantioxidantes: glutatión peroxidasa, glutatión reductasa,superóxido dismutasa, α-tocoferol, retinol y estado de antioxidantes totales. Resultados. Durante la isquemia-reperfusión aumentóla producción de malonildialdehído y la actividad de losantioxidantes enzimáticos, mientras que el retinol disminuyó. El incremento de malonildialdehído y de la actividad de la glutatión peroxidasa entre el momento basal y la reperfusión fue significativamente mayor en el grupo A. Conclusiones. Durante el trasplante se incrementó progresivamente el nivel de peroxidación lipídica y se activaronlos sistemas antioxidantes intracelulares. La TMZ ejerció un efecto citoprotector y limitó el daño por isquemia-reperfusión generado por los radicales libres, además de modificar el patrón de reacción de parte de los sistemas de defensa

Introduction and objectives. The objectives of thisstudy were to analyze the ischemia-reperfusion injury dueto free radicals that occurs during heart transplantationand to determine the potential cytoprotective effect of trimetazidine. Material and method. A total of 21 orthotopic heart transplantations were performed in pigs. We divided the experimental animals into 2 groups: in group A (n=11),standard myocardial protection was used; in group B(n=10), trimetazidine was added to the cardioplegic solution used to protect the donor heart and to the solution administered to the recipient prior to release of the aortic clamp (trimetazidine, 10–5mol/L), and recipients were pretreated with trimetazidine, 2.5 mg/kg. Blood samples weretaken from the recipient’s coronary sinus at three times: at baseline, during ischemia, and during reperfusion. We measured the levels of malondialdehyde, a marker of lipid peroxidation, and of several antioxidants: glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase, α-tocopherol, and retinol. The total antioxidant status wasalso determined. Results. Malondialdehyde production and enzymaticanti oxidant activity rose during ischemia and reperfusion, while the retinol level decreased. The increases in malondialdehyde level and glutathione peroxidase activity that occurred between baseline and reperfusion were significantly higher in group A. Conclusions. The degree of lipid peroxidation and the level of activity of intracellular antioxidant mechanisms increased progressively throughout transplantation. Trimetazidine had a cytoprotective effect. It ameliorated free radical-induced reperfusion injury and modified the response pattern of several defense mechanisms

Intake of Mediterranean vegetable soup treated by pulsed electric fields affects plasma vitamin C and antioxidant biomarkers in humans.

The bioavailability of vitamin C from pulsed electric fields (PEF)-treated vegetable soup in comparison with freshly made (FM) vegetable soup-gazpacho-and its impact on 8-epiPGF(2alpha) and uric acid concentrations in a human population were assessed. For this purpose six subjects consumed 500 ml PEF-treated vegetable soup/day, and six subjects consumed 500 ml FM vegetable soup/day for 14 days. On the first day of the study, the subjects drank the vegetable soup in one dose (dose-response study), and on days 2-14 they consumed 250 ml in the morning and 250 ml in the afternoon (multiple-dose-response study). Blood was collected every hour for 6 h on the first day and again on days 7 and 14. All blood samples were analyzed for vitamin C, 8-epiPGF(2alpha), and uric acid. The maximum increase in plasma vitamin C occurred 3 h post-dose in both the PEF and the FM groups. Vitamin C remained significantly higher (P = 0.05) on days 7 and 14. The plasma 8-epiPGF(2alpha) concentration was significantly lower at the end of the study in both the PEF group (P = 0.002) and the FM group (P = 0.05). Plasma levels of vitamin C and 8-epiPGF(2alpha) were inversely correlated in both groups (r= -0.549, P = 0.018; and r = -0.743, P = 0.0004, respectively). To summarize, drinking two servings (500 ml) of PEF-treated or FM gazpacho daily increases plasma vitamin C and significantly decreases 8-epiPGF(2alpha) concentrations in healthy humans.

Pulsed electric fields-processed orange juice consumption increases plasma vitamin C and decreases F2-isoprostanes in healthy humans.

Orange juice, a rich source of vitamin C, accounts for 60% of all fruit juices and juice-based drinks consumed in western Europe. Orange juice preservation is currently accomplished by traditional pasteurization. Pulsed electric fields (PEF) have been studied as a nonthermal food preservation method. Food technology needs in the area of processing are driven by nutrition. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to assess the bioavailability of vitamin C from pulsed electric fields-treated orange juice in comparison with freshly squeezed orange juice and its impact on 8-epiPGF(2alpha) concentrations (biomarker of lipid peroxidation) in a healthy human population. Six subjects consumed 500 mL/day of pulsed electric fields-treated orange juice and six subjects consumed 500 mL/day of freshly squeezed orange juice for 14 days, corresponding to an intake of about 185 mg/day of ascorbic acid. On the first day of the study, subjects drank the juice in one dose, and on days 2-14 they consumed 250 mL in the morning and 250 mL in the afternoon. Blood was collected every hour for 6 hours on the first day and again on days 7 and 14. In the dose-response study, the maximum increase in plasma vitamin C occurred 4 hours postdose. Vitamin C remained significantly higher on days 7 and 14 in both orange juice groups. Plasma 8-epiPGF(2alpha) concentrations was lower at the end of the study (P < 0.001) in both groups. Plasma levels of vitamin C and 8-epiPGF(2alpha) were inversely correlated. Pulsed electric fields-preservation of orange juice retains the vitamin C bioavailability and antioxidant properties of fresh juice with a longer shelf-life.

Consumption of high-pressurized vegetable soup increases plasma vitamin C and decreases oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in healthy humans.

Current evidence supports a significant association between fruit and vegetable intake and health. In this study, we assessed the effect of consuming a vegetable-soup "gazpacho" on vitamin C and biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation in a healthy human population. We also examined the association between vitamin C and F(2)-isoprostanes (8-epiPGF(2alpha)), uric acid (UA), prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and the cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and IL-6. Gazpacho is a Mediterranean dish defined as a ready-to-use vegetable soup, containing approximately 80% crude vegetables rich in vitamin C. Subjects (6 men, 6 women) enrolled in this study consumed 500 mL/d of gazpacho corresponding to an intake of 72 mg of vitamin C. On d 1, subjects consumed the gazpacho in one dose; from d 2 until the end of the study, d 14, 250 mL was consumed in the morning and 250 mL in the afternoon. Blood was collected before drinking the soup (baseline) and on d 7 and 14. Baseline plasma vitamin C concentrations did not differ between men and women (P = 0.060). Compared with baseline, the vitamin C concentration was significantly higher on d 7 and 14 of the intervention in both men and women (P < 0.05). Baseline plasma levels of UA and F(2)-isoprostanes were higher (P < or = 0.002) in men than in women. The F(2)-isoprostanes decreased on d 14 in men and women (P < or = 0.041), and UA decreased in men (P = 0.028). The concentrations of vitamin C and 8-epiPGF(2alpha) were inversely correlated (r = -0.585, P = 0.0002). Plasma PGE(2) and MCP-1 concentrations decreased in men and women (P < or = 0.05) on d 14, but those of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 did not change. Consumption of the vegetable soup decreases oxidative stress and biomarkers of inflammation, which indicates that the protective effect of vegetables may extend beyond their antioxidant capacity.

Antioxidant effect of gamma-tocopherol supplied by propofol preparations (Diprivan) during ischemia-reperfusion in experimental lung transplantation.

Free radicals are involved in ischemia-reperfusion injury and inflammatory processes. The commercial formulation of the anesthetic propofol contains gamma-tocopherol and delta-tocopherol, which may exert antioxidant effects during transplantation. Animals were randomly assigned to a control group or experimental groups for lung transplantation after 3 and 24 h of ischemia. Individual tocopherols, malondialdehyde, biochemical indices, and hemodynamic, blood gas, and ventilatory parameters were determined during reperfusion. Results showed that administration of commercially available propofol provoked a time- and dose-dependent increment in serum gamma-tocopherol and delta-tocopherol in control animals and in the group receiving lungs subjected to 3 h of ischemia, but not in the group with 24 h of ischemia. Malondialdehyde levels increased during reperfusion and did not differ significantly between the two experimental groups, which did not differ with respect to lung function either. gamma-Tocopherol, supplied by the anesthetic, may act as an antioxidant that is consumed during reperfusion. This potential effect could be relevant to the choice of anesthetic agents in situations where free radical damage to tissues is expected.

Effect of orange juice intake on vitamin C concentrations and biomarkers of antioxidant status in humans.

BACKGROUND: Consumption of fruit and vegetables is associated with improved health and a decreased prevalence of chronic degenerative processes. OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to assess the bioavailability of vitamin C from orange juice and its influence on plasma vitamin C and 8-epi-prostaglandin F(2 alpha) (8-epi-PGF(2 alpha)) concentrations in a healthy human population. DESIGN: Six men and 6 women consumed 500 mL commercial fresh-squeezed orange juice/d for 14 d, corresponding to an intake of 250 mg ascorbic acid/d. On the first day of the study, the subjects drank the juice in one dose (dose-response study), and on days 2-14 they consumed 250 mL in the morning and 250 mL in the afternoon. Blood was collected every hour for 6 h on the first day and again on days 7 and 14. RESULTS: Baseline plasma vitamin C concentrations were significantly higher (P = 0.03) among the women than among the men (56.4 +/- 4.4 compared with 44.3 +/- 3.5 micromol/L). In the dose-response study, the maximum increase in plasma vitamin C occurred 3 h postdose in both the men and the women. Vitamin C concentrations remained significantly higher on days 7 and 14 than at baseline. Baseline concentrations of 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) were significantly higher (P = 0.03) among the men than among the women (249.6 +/- 25.4 compared with 177.7 +/- 6.2 pg/mL) but decreased significantly (P = 0.04) by day 14 of the intervention. A significant inverse correlation was observed between vitamin C and 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) (r = -0.791, P = 0.0022). Among smokers, baseline vitamin C was lower and 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) higher than among nonsmokers. CONCLUSIONS: Drinking orange juice (500 mL/d) increases plasma concentrations of vitamin C and reduces concentrations of 8-epi-PGF(2 alpha) in humans. These effects were significantly more pronounced in smokers.

High-pressurized orange juice consumption affects plasma vitamin C, antioxidative status and inflammatory markers in healthy humans.

We examined the bioavailability of vitamin C in orange juice processed using high pressure (HP) and its effects on plasma levels of vitamin C, uric acid (UA), F2-isoprostanes (8-epiPGF(2alpha)), C-reactive protein (CRP) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in a healthy human population. Subjects (6 men, 6 women) enrolled in the study consumed 500 mL/d of HP orange juice for 14 d, corresponding to an intake of 250 mg of vitamin C. On d 1 of the study, subjects drank the juice in one dose; on d 2 until the end of the study, d 14, they drank 250 mL in the morning and 250 mL in the afternoon. Blood was collected every h for 6 h, on d 1, and then on d 7 and 14 of the study. Baseline plasma vitamin C concentration was higher (P = 0.014) in women (55.8 +/- 3.8 micro mol/L) than in men (42.8 +/- 2.1 micro mol/L). The maximum plasma vitamin C increase occurred 3 h after drinking the juice, and it remained elevated on d 7 and 14. Plasma 8-epiPGF(2alpha) concentration did not differ between men and women at baseline. However, it was lower at the end of the study in both men (P = 0.044) and women (P = 0.034). Plasma levels of vitamin C and 8-epiPGF(2alpha) were inversely correlated (r = -0.615, P = 0.001). Plasma CRP concentrations tended to be lower on d 14 than at baseline in men (P = 0.317) and women (P = 0.235). Plasma PGE(2) was lower at the end of the study in both men and women (P

Comparison of LDL fatty acid and carotenoid concentrations and oxidative resistance of LDL in volunteers from countries with different rates of cardiovascular disease.

Within Europe there are differences in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk between countries and this might be related to dietary habits. Oxidative modification of LDL is suggested to increase the risk of CVD and both the fatty acid and antioxidant content of LDL can affect its oxidation. In the present study, concentration of LDL fatty acid and antioxidant micronutrients (tocopherols and carotenoids) and ex vivo oxidative resistance of LDL (lag phase) was compared in volunteers from five countries with different fruit and vegetable intakes and reported rates of CVD. Eighty volunteers (forty males, forty females per centre), age range 25-45 years, were recruited from France, Northern Ireland, UK, Republic of Ireland, The Netherlands, and Spain, and their LDL composition and lag phase were measured. There were some differences in LDL carotenoid and alpha-tocopherol concentrations between countries. alpha-Tocopherol was low and beta- + gamma-tocopherol were high (P<0.001) in the Dutch subjects. Beta-Carotene concentrations were significantly different between the French and Spanish volunteers, with French showing the highest and Spanish the lowest concentration. LDL lycopene was not different between centres in contrast to lutein, which was highest in French (twofold that in the Dutch and Spanish and threefold that in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, P<0.001). However absolute LDL saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and total unsaturated fatty acid concentrations were different between countries (P<0.001, total unsaturated highest in Northern Ireland) there was little difference in unsaturated:saturated fatty acid concentration ratios and no difference in polyunsaturated:saturated fatty acid concentration ratios. LDL from the Republic of Ireland (a region with a high rate of CVD) had greater resistance to Cu-stimulated oxidation than samples obtained from volunteers in other countries. In conclusion, LDL composition did not predict resistance to Cu-stimulated oxidation, nor is there evidence that LDL from volunteers in countries with lower rates of CVD have greater resistance to oxidation.

A European multicentre, placebo-controlled supplementation study with alpha-tocopherol, carotene-rich palm oil, lutein or lycopene: analysis of serum responses.

Increased levels of oxidative stress have been implicated in tissue damage and the development of chronic diseases, and dietary antioxidants may reduce the risk of oxidative tissue damage. As part of a European multicentre project, several studies were undertaken with the aim of testing whether the consumption of foods rich in carotenoids reduces oxidative damage to human tissue components. We describe here the serum response of carotenoids and tocopherols upon supplementation with carotenoids from natural extracts (alpha-carotene+beta-carotene, lutein or lycopene; 15 mg/day) and/or with alpha-tocopherol (100 mg/day) in a multicentre, placebo-controlled intervention study in 400 healthy male and female volunteers, aged 25-45 years, from five European regions (France, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, The Netherlands and Spain). Supplementation with alpha-tocopherol increased serum alpha-tocopherol levels, while producing a marked decrease in serum gamma-tocopherol. Supplementation with alpha- + beta-carotene (carotene-rich palm oil) resulted in 14-fold and 5-fold increases respectively in serum levels of these carotenoids. Supplementation with lutein (from marigold extracts) elevated serum lutein (approx. 5-fold), zeaxanthin (approx. doubled) and ketocarotenoids (although these were not present in the supplement), whereas lycopene supplementation (from tomato paste) resulted in a 2-fold increase in serum lycopene. The isomer distributions of beta-carotene and lycopene in serum remained constant regardless of the isomer composition in the capsules. In Spanish volunteers, additional data showed that the serum response to carotenoid supplementation reached a plateau after 4 weeks, and no significant side effects (except carotenodermia) or changes in biochemical or haematological indices were observed throughout the study. This part of the study describes dose-time responses, isomer distribution, subject variability and side effects during supplementation with the major dietary carotenoids in healthy subjects.