Carotenoid levels in plasma : can dietary intake and inflammation explain variability?

• Purpose: Low plasma levels of carotenoids and low dietary intake of carotenoids are both linked to increased cardiovascular risk. The supply of carotenoids depends on dietary sources. However, it has also been shown that inflammation may have major influence on plasma carotenoids. The aim of this study was to examine the association of plasma carotenoids with dietary intake of carotenoids and a panel of inflammatory markers including matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9.Methods: A population-based cohort consisting of 285 Swedish men and women (45-69 years) was studied. Fruit and vegetable consumption was estimated from a validated 92-item semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Plasma levels of C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, myeloperoxidase and MMP-9 were determined as were plasma concentrations of 5 major carotenoids: lutein, β-crypthoxanthine, lycopen, α-carotene and β-carotene.Result: Lower plasma levels of lipid-adjusted carotenoids (low vs top tertile) were significantly associated with higher age, male sex, higher body mass index (BMI), higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, higher IL-6 and MMP-9 levels and lower intake of carotenoid-rich food. Low dietary intake of carotenoids was related to male sex, smoking and low plasma carotenoids. After adjustment for age, sex, BMI, blood pressure, physical activity, smoking, dietary intake, IL-6 and MMP-9, plasma carotenoids remained associated with age (Beta= -0.17, p<0.01), sex (Beta=0.19, p<0.01), BMI (Beta= -0.19, p<0.01), dietary intake (Beta=0.21, p<0.01) and MMP-9 (Beta= -0.13, p<0.05). However, these associations differed among individual carotenoids, e.g. the correlation to MMP-9 was restricted to α-carotene (Beta= -0.13, p<0.05) and the correlation to sex was restricted to α-carotene (Beta=0.23, p<0.001) and β-carotene (Beta=0.18, p<0.01).Conclusion: In this population-based study, plasma carotenoids reflected dietary intake of carotenoids but to a minor extent. Also, levels of inflammatory markers explained very little of the variability in plasma carotenoids. Instead, age, sex and BMI independently influenced the levels of carotenoids. In cardiovascular risk management, we need to better understand the potential determinants of carotenoid levels in plasma.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kardiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Cardiology

Kardiologi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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