High plasma levels of alpha- and beta-carotene are associated with a lower risk of atherosclerosis: results from the Bruneck study.
OBJECTIVE
A large number of studies have contributed to the hypothesis that carotenoids, vitamins A and E are protective against atherosclerosis by acting as antioxidants. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between plasma levels of carotenoids (alpha- and beta- carotene, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin), vitamins A and E, and atherosclerosis in the carotid and femoral arteries.


METHODS
This prospective and cross sectional study involved a randomly selected population sample of 392 men and women aged 45-65 years. Carotid and femoral artery atherosclerosis was assessed by high-resolution duplex ultrasound.


RESULTS
alpha- and beta- carotene plasma levels were inversely associated with the prevalence of atherosclerosis in the carotid and femoral arteries (P=0.004) and with the 5-year incidence of atherosclerotic lesions in the carotid arteries (P=0.04). These findings were obtained after adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors (sex, age, LDL (low density lipoproteins), ferritin, systolic blood pressure, smoking, categories of alcohol consumption, social status, C-reactive protein). Atherosclerosis risk gradually decreased with increasing plasma alpha- and beta-carotene concentrations (P=0.004). No associations were found between vitamin A and E plasma levels and atherosclerosis.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides further epidemiological evidence of a protective role of high alpha- and beta- carotene in early atherogenesis.
D'Odorico
A
A
Department of Surgery and Gastroenterology, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Martines
D
D
Kiechl
S
S
Egger
G
G
Oberhollenzer
F
F
Bonvicini
P
P
Sturniolo
G C
GC
Naccarato
R
R
Willeit
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood*; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood*
D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids; C041635:alpha-carotene