Effect of a Mediterranean meal on postprandial carotenoids, paraoxonase activity and C-reactive protein levels.
OBJECTIVE
Atherosclerosis involves oxidative and inflammatory mediators regulated by fat and antioxidants. Therefore, we studied the postprandial evolution of plasma lipids, carotenoids, C-reactive protein (CRP), and human serum paraoxanase activity (PON1) following two different fatty meals.


METHODS
Eight healthy males consumed a 45% fat 1,000 Kcal Mediterranean-like (Med) meal (monounsaturated 61% of fat) compared to a Western-like (Wes) (saturated 57% of fat) meal. Blood was collected at baseline (time 0) 2, 4 and 7 h postprandial. Plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, total carotenoids, CRP, and PON1 were analyzed.


RESULTS
There was a marginal increase in cholesterol and glucose after both meals. Triglycerides increased modestly (to less than 200 mg/dl) and insulin increased (more in the Wes-like meal) but still within normal range, indicating a low glycemic index for both meals. Only the Med-like meal resulted in a significant increase in both PON1 activity (16%, p < 0.02) and carotenoids (74%, p < 0.02) with a 2-hour postprandial decrease in CRP (6%, p < 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
A postprandial monounsaturated fatty acid rich meal increases both plasma carotenoids and PON1 with a decrease in CRP levels, thus providing a novel potential explanation to the protective properties of a Mediterranean diet against atherogenesis.
Blum
Shany
S
Department of Medicine D, Rambam Medical Center and the Bruce and Ruth Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Haifa, Israel.
Aviram
Michael
M
Ben-Amotz
Ami
A
Levy
Yishai
Y
D000328:Adult; D019540:Area Under Curve; D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase / Q000378:metabolism*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D038321:Glycemic Index; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D019518:Postprandial Period; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D004041:Dietary Fats; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D007328:Insulin; D014280:Triglycerides; D002338:Carotenoids; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D002784:Cholesterol; D043303:Aryldialkylphosphatase