title: Polyphenol intake is associated with low-grade inflammation, using a novel data analysis from the Moli-sani study.
abstract: The association of polyphenol content of human diet with low-grade inflammation is not yet fully understood. It was the objective of this study to evaluate the association of flavonoid and lignan intake with frequently used and easily applicable in clinical practice low-grade inflammation biomarkers, in a novel holistic approach. A total of 5,948 women and 5,965 men (aged ≥ 35 years) were analysed from the Moli-sani cohort, randomly recruited from the general population. The EPIC-FFQ was used for dietary assessment. Flavonol, flavone, flavanone, flavanol, anthocyanin, isoflavone and lignan intakes were calculated using Eurofir eBASIS and the polyphenol antioxidant content (PAC)-score was constructed to assess the total content of diet in these nutrients. CRP levels, WBC and PLT count and granulocyte to lymphocyte ratio were conceived as low-grade inflammation biomarkers. INFLA-score was constructed summarizing synergistic effects of these biomarkers. The INFLA-score was negatively associated with PAC-score in different levels of adjustment, in both genders (for all β-coef<0, P<0.05). 10 units increase in PAC-score was associated with 5-8% decrease in the likelihood of higher low-grade inflammation status (i.e. higher quartile of INFLA-score) in men and women (odds ratio [ORs] 0.92 to 0.95, p<0.05). The total variation of INFLA-score that was explained by PAC-score was estimated to be 16.7% in women and 9.1% in men (%R²=16.7 and 9.1). In conclusion, polyphenol content of diet evaluated in a holistic approach was negatively associated with a score of low-grade inflammation biomarkers in a large population based study. For the first time low-grade inflammation was evaluated in a holistic way through INFLA-score and was associated with polyphenol content of diet.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pounis
authors.forename: Marialaura
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bonaccio
authors.forename: Augusto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Castelnuovo
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Costanzo
authors.forename: Amalia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Curtis
authors.forename: Mariarosaria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Persichillo
authors.forename: Sabina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sieri
authors.forename: Maria Benedetta
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cerletti
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Gaetano
authors.affiliation: Licia Iacoviello, MD, PhD, Laboratory of Molecular and Nutritional Epidemioloy, Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed, Via dell'Elettronica. 86077 Pozzilli, (IS), Italy, Tel.: +39 0348 5108779, E-mail: licia.iacoviello@neuromed.it.
authors.forename: Licia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Iacoviello
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000737:chemistry*; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism*; D007558:Italy; D017705:Lignans / Q000737:chemistry*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000737:chemistry*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D005419:Flavonoids; D017705:Lignans; D059808:Polyphenols
keywords: Cardiovascular disease; flavonoids; inflammation; lignans; polyphenols