title: Reduced levels of potential circulating biomarkers of cardiovascular diseases in apparently healthy vegetarian men.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several evidences report that a vegetarian diet is protector against cardiovascular diseases. Few studies have demonstrated the circulating profile of cardiovascular biomarkers in vegetarians. Therefore, the aims of the current study were compared the plasma concentrations of myeloperoxidase (MPO), metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, MMP-2, tissue inhibitor of MMP (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2 between healthy vegetarian (Veg) and healthy omnivorous (Omn).
  
  
  METHODS
  Using ELISA and multiplexed bead immunoassay, we measured in plasma from 43 Veg and 41 Omn the cardiovascular biomarkers concentrations cited above.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found significant lower concentrations of MPO, MMP-9, MMP-2 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in Veg compared to Omn (all P<0.05). Moreover, MMP-9 concentrations were correlated positively with leukocytes and neutrophils count in both groups (all P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A vegetarian diet is associated with a healthier profile of cardiovascular biomarkers compared to omnivorous.
authors: Heart Institute, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Julio Acosta
authors: JA
authors: Navarro
authors: Heart Institute, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Luiza Antoniazzi
authors: LA
authors: de Gouveia
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Lilliam
authors: L
authors: Rocha-Penha
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Naiara
authors: N
authors: Cinegaglia
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, Universidade de Sao Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Vanessa
authors: V
authors: Belo
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, Universidade de Sao Paulo (FMRP-USP), Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
authors: Michele Mazzaron de
authors: MM
authors: Castro
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: valeria.sandrim@ibb.unesp.br.
authors: Valeria Cristina
authors: VC
authors: Sandrim
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D004032:Diet; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D008297:Male; D000066988:Vegetarians
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: Cardiovascular biomarkers; MMP-2; MMP-9; MPO; Omnivorous; TIMP; Vegetarians