title: Plasma alkylresorcinols, biomarkers of whole-grain intake, are not associated with progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to examine the relationship between plasma alkyresorcinol (AR) concentrations, which are biomarkers of whole-grain intake, and atherosclerotic progression over 3 years in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Plasma AR concentrations were measured by a validated GC-MS method in fasting plasma samples. Atherosclerosis progression was assessed using change in mean minimal coronary artery diameter (MCAD) and percentage diameter stenosis (%ST), based on mean proximal vessel diameter across up to ten coronary segments. Dietary intake was estimated using a 126-item interviewer-administered FFQ.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study of postmenopausal women participating in the Estrogen Replacement and Atherosclerosis trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  For the analysis of plasma AR concentrations and atherosclerotic progression, plasma samples and follow-up data on angiography were available for 182 women.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean whole-grain intake was 9·6 (se 0·6) servings per week. After multivariate adjustment, no significant associations were observed between plasma AR concentrations and change in mean MCAD or progression of %ST. Plasma AR concentrations were significantly correlated with dietary whole grains (r=0·35, P<0·001), cereal fibre (r=0·33, P<0·001), bran (r=0·15, P=0·05), total fibre (r=0·22, P=0·003) and legume fibre (r=0·15, P=0·04), but not refined grains, fruit fibre or vegetable fibre.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Plasma AR concentrations were not significantly associated with coronary artery progression over a 3-year period in postmenopausal women with coronary artery disease. A moderate association was observed between plasma AR concentrations and dietary whole grains and cereal fibre, suggesting it may be a useful biomarker in observational studies.
authors.affiliation: 1Nutritional Epidemiology Program,Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University,711 Washington Street,9th Floor,Boston,MA 02111,USA.
authors.forename: Nicola M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: McKeown
authors.affiliation: 2Department of Nutrition,Harvard School of Public Health,Boston,MA,USA.
authors.forename: Adela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hruby
authors.affiliation: 3Department of Food Science,BioCentre,Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,Uppsala,Sweden.
authors.forename: Rikard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Landberg
authors.affiliation: 5Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center,Winston-Salem,NC,USA.
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Herrington
authors.affiliation: 6Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory,Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University,Boston,MA,USA.
authors.forename: Alice H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Lichtenstein
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood; D003331:Coronary Vessels; D004032:Diet; D004034:Diet Surveys; D018450:Disease Progression; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D012118:Resorcinols / Q000097:blood*; D012434:Secale / Q000737:chemistry; D000067348:Whole Grains / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D012118:Resorcinols
keywords: Alkylresorcinols; Biomarkers; Coronary artery disease; Whole grains