title: Patterns of dietary intake and serum carotenoid and tocopherol status are associated with biomarkers of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation and cardiovascular risk.
abstract: Dietary modification may affect inflammatory processes and protect against chronic disease. In the present study, we examined the relationship between dietary patterns, circulating carotenoid and tocopherol concentrations, and biomarkers of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation in a 10-year longitudinal study of Scottish postmenopausal women. Diet was assessed by FFQ during 1997-2000 (n 3237, mean age 54·8 (SD 2·2) years). Participants (n 2130, mean age 66·0 (SD 2·2) years) returned during 2007-11 for follow-up. Diet was assessed by FFQ (n 1682) and blood was collected for the analysis of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), IL-6, serum amyloid A, E-selectin, lipid profile and dietary biomarkers (carotenoids, tocopherols and retinol). Dietary pattern and dietary biomarker (serum carotenoid) components were generated by principal components analysis. A past 'prudent' dietary pattern predicted serum concentrations of hs-CRP and IL-6 (which decreased across the quintiles of the dietary pattern; P= 0·002 and P= 0·001, respectively; ANCOVA). Contemporary dietary patterns were also associated with inflammatory biomarkers. The concentrations of hs-CRP and IL-6 decreased across the quintiles of the 'prudent' dietary pattern (P= 0·030 and P= 0·006, respectively). hs-CRP concentration increased across the quintiles of a 'meat-dominated' dietary pattern (P= 0·001). Inflammatory biomarker concentrations decreased markedly across the quintiles of carotenoid component score (P< 0·001 for hs-CRP and IL-6, and P= 0·016 for E-selectin; ANCOVA). Prudent dietary pattern and carotenoid component scores were negatively associated with serum hs-CRP concentration (unstandardised β for prudent component: -0·053, 95% CI -0·102, -0·003; carotenoid component: -0·183, 95% CI -0·233, -0·134) independent of study covariates. A prudent dietary pattern (which reflects a diet high in the intakes of fish, yogurt, pulses, rice, pasta and wine, in addition to fruit and vegetable consumption) and a serum carotenoid profile characteristic of a fruit and vegetable-rich diet are associated with lower concentrations of intermediary markers that are indicative of CVD risk reduction.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Health Sciences Building,Foresterhill, AberdeenAB25 2ZD,UK.
authors.forename: Adrian D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Health Sciences Building,Foresterhill, AberdeenAB25 2ZD,UK.
authors.forename: Anna A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Strachan
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Health Sciences Building,Foresterhill, AberdeenAB25 2ZD,UK.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Thies
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Health Sciences Building,Foresterhill, AberdeenAB25 2ZD,UK.
authors.forename: Lorna S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Aucott
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Health Sciences Building,Foresterhill, AberdeenAB25 2ZD,UK.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East Anglia,NorwichNR4 7TJ,UK.
authors.forename: Antonia C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Hardcastle
authors.affiliation: School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen,Foresterhill, AberdeenAB25 2ZD,UK.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mavroeidi
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Health Sciences Building,Foresterhill, AberdeenAB25 2ZD,UK.
authors.forename: William G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.affiliation: Natural Products Group, Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, AberdeenAB21 9SB,UK.
authors.forename: Garry G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Duthie
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Health Sciences Building,Foresterhill, AberdeenAB25 2ZD,UK.
authors.forename: Helen M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Macdonald
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood* / Q000172:deficiency / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010349:Patient Compliance; D025341:Principal Component Analysis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012306:Risk; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D024505:Tocopherols / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000503:physiopathology; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids; D024505:Tocopherols