Relationship between plasma antioxidant concentrations and carotid intima-media thickness: the Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerotic Disease In Manfredonia Study.
BACKGROUND
Few studies have examined the relationship among carotid atherosclerosis, vascular risk factors, and antioxidant plasma concentrations, and those that have reported conflicting results. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis, as defined by carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and inflammatory markers, plasma lipids and serum antioxidant vitamins.


RESULTS
We examined baseline characteristics of the 640 participants in the Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerotic Disease In Manfredonia Study. All participants were asymptomatic with respect to carotid artery disease in 2006-2007 and underwent physical examination with carotid ultrasound investigation, the collection of medical history and laboratory data. Analysis of variance methods were used to examine differences between participants by category of CIMT. Of the 640 participants, 291 did not have evidence of carotid atherosclerosis (CIMT<0.8 mm), 232 were found to have some atherosclerosis (0.8 mm< or =CIMT<1.2 mm), and 117 were found to have extensive atherosclerosis (CIMT>1.2 mm). Among participants with CIMT> or =0.8 mm, body mass index, blood pressures, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen were significantly higher, whereas concentrations of vitamin A, vitamin E, lycopene, and beta-carotene were all significantly lower when compared with participants who did not show evidence of carotid atherosclerosis (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The optimal control of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, in addition to smoking cessation and an adequate intake of antioxidant micronutrients from foods represent a key for the prevention of atherosclerotic disease.
Riccioni
Graziano
G
Cardiology Unit, San Camillo de Lellis Hospital, Manfredonia, Foggia, Italy. griccioni@hotmail.com
D'Orazio
Nicolantonio
N
Palumbo
Nicola
N
Bucciarelli
Valentina
V
Ilio
Emanuela di
Ed
Bazzano
Lydia A
LA
Bucciarelli
Tonino
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood; D002339:Carotid Arteries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000209:etiology; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D007558:Italy; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D000077276:Lycopene; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D008055:Lipids; D014815:Vitamins; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D000077276:Lycopene