title: Evaluation of the effect of wheat aleurone-rich foods on markers of antioxidant status, inflammation and endothelial function in apparently healthy men and women.
abstract: Observational data show an inverse association between the consumption of whole-grain foods, and inflammation and related diseases. Although the underlying mechanisms are unclear, whole grains, and in particular the aleurone layer, contain a wide range of components with putative antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. We evaluated the effects of a diet high in wheat aleurone on plasma antioxidants status, markers of inflammation and endothelial function. In this parallel, participant-blinded intervention, seventy-nine healthy, older, overweight participants (45-65 years, BMI>25 kg/m²) incorporated either aleurone-rich cereal products (27 g aleurone/d), or control products balanced for fibre and macronutrients, into their habitual diets for 4 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and on day 29. Results showed that, compared to control, consumption of aleurone-rich products provided substantial amounts of micronutrients and phytochemicals which may function as antioxidants. Additionally, incorporating these products into a habitual diet resulted in significantly lower plasma concentrations of the inflammatory marker, C-reactive protein (P = 0·035), which is an independent risk factor for CVD. However, no changes were observed in other markers of inflammation, antioxidant status or endothelial function. These results provide a possible mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of longer-term whole-grain intake. However, it is unclear whether this effect is owing to a specific component, or a combination of components in wheat aleurone.
authors.affiliation: Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health, University of Ulster, Coleraine, UK.
authors.forename: Ruth K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Julie M W
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.forename: Lesley L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Hamill
authors.forename: Edel M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Keaveney
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Strain
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Parker
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Welch
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D056625:Endosperm / Q000737:chemistry*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005527:Food, Fortified; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D055314:Seed Storage Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014908:Triticum / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D018977:Micronutrients; D055314:Seed Storage Proteins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein