Relationship between plasma antioxidant concentrations and carotid intima-media thickness: the Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerotic Disease In Manfredonia Study

Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online June, 2009

Relationship between plasma antioxidant concentrations and carotid intima-media thickness: the Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerotic Disease In Manfredonia Study

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Volume 16, Issue 3https://doi.org/10.1097/HJR.0b013e328325d807

Abstract

Background

Few studies have examined the relationship among carotid atherosclerosis, vascular risk factors, and antioxidant plasma concentrations, and those that have reported conflicting results. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis, as defined by carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and inflammatory markers, plasma lipids and serum antioxidant vitamins.

Methods and results

We examined baseline characteristics of the 640 participants in the Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerotic Disease In Manfredonia Study. All participants were asymptomatic with respect to carotid artery disease in 2006-2007 and underwent physical examination with carotid ultrasound investigation, the collection of medical history and laboratory data. Analysis of variance methods were used to examine differences between participants by category of CIMT. Of the 640 participants, 291 did not have evidence of carotid atherosclerosis (CIMT < 0.8mm), 232 were found to have some atherosclerosis (0.8 mm ≤ CIMT < 1.2 mm), and 117 were found to have extensive atherosclerosis (CIMT > 1.2 mm). Among participants with CIMT ≥ 0.8mm, body mass index, blood pressures, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, C-reactive protein, and fibrinogen were significantly higher, whereas concentrations of vitamin A, vitamin E, lycopene, and β-carotene were all significantly lower when compared with participants who did not show evidence of carotid atherosclerosis (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The optimal control of hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia, in addition to smoking cessation and an adequate intake of antioxidant micronutrients from foods represent a key for the prevention of atherosclerotic disease.

Keywords

antioxidants atherosclerosis beta-carotene carotid arteries intima-media thickness lycopene vitamin A vitamin E

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