The Influence of Dietary Components on Early Signs of Atherosclerosis in Apparently Healthy Young-adult Males: An Observational Study of 615 Subjects.
BACKGROUND
The literature shows that a healthy diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, has positive effects on overall cardiovascular risk, protecting against atherosclerosis.


METHODS
A cross sectional study in a population of apparently healthy young-adult men with the aim of investigating dietary determinants of early atherosclerosis, assessed by measuring carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery.


METHODS
615 males (mean age ± SD: 40.8±9.8 years) without overt atherosclerosis were evaluated. Dietary intake was quantified by the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) questionnaire. Intake of antioxidants was expressed in relation to total caloric intake.


RESULTS
Neither absolute, recommended daily allowance or weight-related values of nutritional intake variables were associated with cIMT. Vitamin E to total calories intake (odds ratio, OR=0.08, 95%CI=0.03-0.89) was inversely associated with impaired FMD. Non-nutritional correlates of FMD <10% were: age (OR=1.02, 95%CI=1.0-1.05) and waist circumference (OR=1.03, 95%CI=1.0-1.06), and those of cIMT >0.8 mm were age (OR=1.10, 95%CI=1.05-1.15), pack-years (OR=1.02, 95%CI=1.0-1.04), C-reactive protein (OR=1.17, 95%CI=1.04-1.33) and total cholesterol (OR=1.01, 95%CI=1.0-1.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Differences in the factors correlating with cIMT >0.8 mm and FMD <10% might have implications for cardiovascular risk reduction. A lower antioxidant to caloric intake ratio might be a risk factor for impaired FMD.
San Raffaele Fondation, Cittadella della Carità, Taranto. Italy.
Girolamo Catapano
GC
Minotti
Cardiovascular disease Section, Department of Organ and Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari. Italy.
Francesca
F
Cortese
Istituto Nazionale di Ricovero e Cura per Anziani (INCA), Cosenza. Italy.
Andrea
A
Corsonello
San Raffaele Fondation, Cittadella della Carità, Taranto. Italy.
Giovanni
G
Guadalupi
San Raffaele Fondation, Cittadella della Carità, Taranto. Italy.
Antonio Paolo
AP
D Arcangelo
San Raffaele Fondation, Cittadella della Carità, Taranto. Italy.
Saverio Daniele
SD
Palumbo
San Raffaele Fondation, Cittadella della Carità, Taranto. Italy.
Rita
R
Naio
San Raffaele Fondation, Cittadella della Carità, Taranto. Italy.
Ottovio De
O
Clemente
San Raffaele Fondation, Cittadella della Carità, Taranto. Italy.
Andrea
A
Aurelio
San Raffaele Fondation, Cittadella della Carità, Taranto. Italy.
Simona
S
Carone
San Raffaele Fondation, Cittadella della Carità, Taranto. Italy.
Tiziana
T
Gelsumino
Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IFC-CNR), Pisa University, Pisa. Italy.
Vincenzo
V
Gemignani
Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IFC-CNR), Pisa University, Pisa. Italy.
Elisabetta
E
Bianchini
Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IFC-CNR), Pisa University, Pisa. Italy.
Mariangela
M
Vigotti
Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IFC-CNR), Pisa University, Pisa. Italy.
Francesco
F
Faita
Industria per la Lavorazione dell'Acciaio (ILVA), Taranto. Italy.
Luciano
L
Greco
Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione dell'Ambiente (ARPA) Apulia Region, Taranto. Italy.
Roberto
R
Primerano
Campus Biomedico-University, Rome. Italy.
Raffaele Antonelli
RA
Incalzi
Cardiovascular Disease Section, Department of Organ and Transplantation, University of Bari, Bari. Italy.
Marco Matteo
MM
Ciccone
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000378:metabolism; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D000072001:Diet, Healthy; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage; D055105:Waist Circumference / Q000502:physiology
D000975:Antioxidants; D014810:Vitamin E; D002097:C-Reactive Protein
Diet; antioxidants; atherosclerosis; carotid intima-media thickness; flow-mediated dilation; young-adult