Anti-Inflammatory Effects of the Mediterranean Diet in the Early and Late Stages of Atheroma Plaque Development

Abstract

Objective. To evaluate the long-term effects of a Mediterranean diet (MeDiet) intervention on the plasma concentrations of inflammatory and plaque stability-related molecules in elderly people at high risk for cardiovascular disease. Design and Setting. 66 participants from primary care centers affiliated with the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona were randomized into 3 groups: MeDiet plus extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) or nuts and a low-fat diet (LFD). At baseline and at 3 and 5 years, we evaluated the changes in the plasma concentrations of 24 inflammatory biomarkers related to the different stages of the atherosclerotic process by Luminex®. Results. At 3 and 5 years, both MeDiet groups showed a significant reduction of IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, and MIP-1β (P < 0.05; all) compared to LFD. IL-1β, IL-5, IL-7, IL-12p70, IL-18, TNF-α, IFN-γ, GCSF, GMCSF, and ENA78 (P < 0.05; all) only decreased in the MeDiet+EVOO group and E-selectin and sVCAM-1 (P < 0.05; both) in the MeDiet+nuts group. Conclusions. Long-term adherence to MeDiet decreases the plasma concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers related to different steps of atheroma plaque development in elderly persons at high cardiovascular risk.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Cardiovascular Diseases: Benefits for Human Health

“…Casas R et al, [46] in their recent study evaluated inflammatory markers like high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), the levels of main cytokines (IL-1 , 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, TNF-, and IFN-) and vulnerability plaque marker (IL-10, 13, and 18) levels. They showed an improvement of these parameters in people having high cardiovascular risk long-term adherence, treated with MeDiet supplemented with EVOO, suggesting a delay in atheroma plaque forma-tion [26,46,47]. Consumption of a Mediterranean-style diet supplemented with EVOO also in patients with the metabolic syndrome was associated a significant reduction of systemic vascular inflammation markers (IL-6, IL-7, IL-18, and hs-CRP) [48].…”

“…1 7 factors [33]. If after the short-term intervention with EVOO the comparison between groups reached statistical significance neither for sE-selectin and sP-selectin nor for ICAM-1 [34], Casas et al, [26] after 1 year of intervention with EVOO highlighted a decrease of soluble adhesion molecules such as P-selectin, VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. Moreover, increased flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) [35], internal carotid intima-media thickness and plaque height [36] measurements proved the ability of the MeDiet supplemented with EVOO to improve endothelial function.…”

“…The Mediterranean diet (MeDiet) is characterized by a high intake of EVOO, nuts, legumes, vegetables, fruit, fish, cereals and moderate wine consumption, with scarce intake of dairy products and red meat [26]. Many intervention studies showed that a Mediterranean dietary pattern, that includes EVOO, is strongly associated with a reduced risk of CVD [27].…”

Deciphering the Riddles in Nutrition and Cardiovascular Disease

“…[16][17][18][19] This hypothesis was confirmed by the Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea (PREDIMED) findings on MD mechanisms: modulation of the expression of adhesion molecules in leukocytes; improvements in the circulating levels of soluble adhesion molecules, cytokines, chemokines and macrophage inflammatory proteins; and plaque stabilisation after 3 months, and 1, 3 and 5 years of intervention. 20 Epigenetic studies of the MD reinforce these results, with proven influence on the methylation status of peripheral white blood cell genes, interactions among MD and the expression of other molecules (cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-6, apolipoprotein, cholesteryl ester transfer protein plasma), transcription factors and gene polymorphisms ( Table 2). [21][22][23] The authors of the PREDIMED study in 2013 recently retracted the original publication as a result of an error in the randomisation procedures affecting a portion of participants included.…”

“…24,25 In both the original and republished study, the incidence of CVD in the MD groups was lowered by approximately 30% when compared with the control diet. 20,24,25 Therefore, the overall conclusion remains unchanged, and PREDIMED remains the largest dietary intervention trial to assess the effects of the MD on CVD prevention.…”