title: Proprietary tomato extract improves metabolic response to high-fat meal in healthy normal weight subjects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation is a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Lycopene and tomato-based products have been described as potent inhibitors of LDL oxidation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of a 2-week supplementation with a carotenoid-rich tomato extract (CRTE) standardized for a 1:1 ratio of lycopene and phytosterols, on post-prandial LDL oxidation after a high-fat meal.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomized, double-blind, parallel-groups, placebo-controlled study, 146 healthy normal weight individuals were randomly assigned to a daily dose of CRTE standardized for tomato phytonutrients or placebo during 2 weeks. Oxidized LDL (OxLDL), glucose, insulin, and triglyceride (TG) responses were measured for 8 h after ingestion of a high-fat meal before and at the end of intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma lycopene, phytofluene, and phytoene were increased throughout the study period in the CRTE group compared to placebo. CRTE ingestion significantly improved changes in OxLDL response to high-fat meal compared to placebo after 2 weeks (p<0.0001). Changes observed in glucose, insulin, and TG responses were not statistically significant after 2 weeks of supplementation, although together they may suggest a trend of favorable effect on metabolic outcomes after a high-fat meal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Two-week supplementation with CRTE increased carotenoids levels in plasma and improved oxidized LDL response to a high-fat meal in healthy normal weight individuals.
authors.affiliation: Naturalpha SAS, Parc Eurasanté, Loos, France.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Deplanque
authors.affiliation: Naturalpha SAS, Parc Eurasanté, Loos, France.
authors.forename: Delphine
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Muscente-Paque
authors.affiliation: Naturalpha SAS, Parc Eurasanté, Loos, France; eric.chappuis1@yahoo.fr.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chappuis
keywords: cardiovascular; carotenoid-rich tomato extract; oxidative stress; oxidized LDL; tomato