Diet-quality scores and plasma concentrations of markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.
BACKGROUND
Endothelial dysfunction is one of the mechanisms linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.


OBJECTIVE
We assessed the association between several diet-quality scores and plasma concentrations of markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction.


METHODS
Diet-quality scores on the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), Alternate Healthy Eating Index (AHEI), Diet Quality Index Revised (DQI-R), Recommended Food Score (RFS), and the alternate Mediterranean Diet Index (aMED) were calculated by using a food-frequency questionnaire that was administered in 1990 to 690 women in the Nurses' Health Study (ages 43-69 y, no cardiovascular disease or diabetes). Blood collection was completed in the same year. We used regression analysis to assess the associations between these diet-quality scores and plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein, interleukin 6, E-selectin, soluble intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1, and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1.


RESULTS
The various diet-quality scores were significantly correlated with each other; correlation coefficients ranged from 0.56 to 0.80 (all P values < 0.0001). After adjustment for age, body mass index, alcohol intake, physical activity, smoking status, and energy intake, the HEI and DQI-R were not significantly associated with any of the biomarkers, whereas the AHEI and aMED scores were associated with significantly lower concentrations of most biomarkers. The RFS was significantly associated with a lower concentration of E-selectin only. C-reactive protein concentrations were 30% (P < 0.05) and 24% (P < 0.05) lower in the top than in the bottom quintile of the AHEI and of the aMED, respectively


CONCLUSIONS
Higher AHEI and aMED scores were associated with lower concentrations of biomarkers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction and therefore may be useful as guidelines for reducing the risk of diseases involving such biological pathways.
Department of Nutrition, Simmons College, Boston, MA 02115, USA. fung@simmons.edu
Teresa T
TT
Fung
Marjorie L
ML
McCullough
P K
PK
Newby
Joann E
JE
Manson
James B
JB
Meigs
Nader
N
Rifai
Walter C
WC
Willett
Frank B
FB
Hu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet / Q000145:classification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood*; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D015850:Interleukin-6; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D002097:C-Reactive Protein