Original Paper

Plasma Antioxidants and Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerotic Disease
Graziano Riccioni^a, Tonino Bucciarelli^c, Nicolantonio D'Orazio^d, Nicola Palumbo^b, Emanuela di Ilio^c, Francesco Corradi^c, Alfonso Pennelli^c, Lydia A. Bazzano<sup>e

a</sup>Cardiology Unit and
^bAnalysis Laboratory, 'San Camillo de Lellis' Hospital, Manfredonia, and
^cClinical Biochemistry Laboratory and
^dHuman Nutrition, Department of Biomedical Science, University 'G. D'Annunzio', Chieti, Italy;
^eDepartment of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, La., USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Ann Nutr Metab 2008;53:86-90 (DOI: 10.1159/000164691)

  Key Words

• Atherosclerosis
• Carotid arteries
• Antioxidants
• Lycopene
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E
• -Carotene

  Abstract

Background: Atherosclerosis remains clinically mute for a long time and frequently manifests itself with an acute cardiovascular event. The possibility of detecting this disease in a subclinical phase and reducing or reversing its progression is an issue of relevance. Published studies on the association between antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) have been inconclusive. Methods: We enrolled 220 consecutive, asymptomatic participants. After carotid ultrasound investigation, a medical history was taken, a physical examination was performed and venous blood samples were collected. Venous blood samples were analyzed for concentrations of antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids. Results: Low concentrations of vitamin A (p < 0.01), vitamin E (p < 0.001), lycopene (p < 0.01) and -carotene (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis (CIMT 0.8 mm). In addition, marginally higher body mass index, plasma haemoglobin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also associated with carotid atherosclerosis, while other laboratory parameters considered in this study (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and C-reactive protein) were not significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis. Conclusions: Low plasma concentrations of antioxidant vitamins (A, E, -carotene) and lycopene were associated with early carotid atherosclerotic lesions as measured by CIMT. Regular intake of foods rich in lycopene and antioxidant vitamins may slow the progression of atherosclerosis.

Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Graziano Riccioni, MD, PhD
Via G. De Rogatis, 12
IT-71016 San Severo (Italy)
Tel. +39 0882 227 022
E-Mail griccioni@hotmail.com

  Article Information

Received: January 10, 2008
Accepted after revision: July 10, 2008
Published online: October 21, 2008
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 35