Effect of a traditional Mediterranean diet on apolipoproteins B; A-I; and their ratio. A randomized; controlled; trial

Objectives: Apolipoprotein (Apo)B; ApoA-I; and their ratio could predict coronary heart disease (CHD) risk more accurately than conventional lipid measurements. Our aim was to assess the effect of a traditional Mediterranean diet (TMD) on apolipoproteins. Methods: High-cardiovascular risk subjects (n =551; 308 women and 243 men); aged 55 to 80; were recruited into a large; […]

Hazelnut consumption decreases the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation; plasma oxidized LDL level and increases the ratio of large/small LDL in normolipidemic healthy subjects

OBJECTIVE: Nut consumption has beneficial effects on protection for development of atherosclerotic process. METHODS: Single intervention study design was used to determine the effects of hazelnut-enriched diet (1 g/kg/day) during 4 weeks period on atherogenic tendency of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by evaluating susceptibility of LDL to oxidation; alpha-tocopherol content of LDL; LDL subfractions; plasma oxidized […]

Effect of nut consumption on oxidative stress and the endothelial function in metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Oxidative stress has a key role in atherosclerosis; cancer and other chronic diseases. Some bioactive compounds in nuts have been implicated in antioxidant activities. OBJECTIVE: We assessed how nut consumption affected several markers of oxidation and endothelial function (EF) in metabolic syndrome (MetS) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A randomized; controlled; parallel feeding […]

Effect of Mediterranean diet on the expression of pro-atherogenic genes in a population at high cardiovascular risk

Experimental and epidemiological studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of the traditional Mediterranean diet (TMD) on the incidence and progression of atherosclerosis. Several genes play a major role in determining atherosclerosis susceptibility. We compared the short-term effects of two TMD diets versus a control diet on the expression of pro-atherogenic genes. One TMD diet was […]

Olive oil and walnut breakfasts reduce the postprandial inflammatory response in mononuclear cells compared with a butter breakfast in healthy men

BACKGROUND: Inflammation is crucial in all stages of atherosclerosis; and few studies have investigated the effect of dietary fat on markers of inflammation related to this disease during the postprandial period. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the chronic effects of dietary fat on the postprandial expression of proinflammatory genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in healthy […]

Dried plums (prunes) reduce atherosclerosis lesion area in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Dried plums are a fruit high in pectin with substantial antioxidant activity. Previous studies in rats and man indicate that dried plums or plum fibre lower liver and plasma cholesterol; respectively. The apoE-deficient mouse; which develops atherosclerotic lesions rapidly when fed cholesterol; was used to determine the ability of dried plums to reduce atherosclerosis. Diets […]

Dried plums (prunes) reduce atherosclerosis lesion area in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice

Dried plums are a fruit high in pectin with substantial antioxidant activity. Previous studies in rats and man indicate that dried plums or plum fibre lower liver and plasma cholesterol; respectively. The apoE-deficient mouse; which develops atherosclerotic lesions rapidly when fed cholesterol; was used to determine the ability of dried plums to reduce atherosclerosis. Diets […]