Taiwanese Female Vegetarians Have Lower Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2 Compared with Omnivores

Abstract

PurposeMany studies supported that vegetarians have a lower risk of cardiac diseases and mortality, partly due to better blood pressure and serum cholesterol profiles. However, the inflammatory markers, especially lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2), have not been well-studied. This study aimed to compare inflammatory markers and conventional risk factors between vegetarians and omnivores.Materials and MethodsOne hundred and seventy-three vegetarians and 190 omnivores were studied. Fasting blood samples were obtained to compare levels of glucose, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, homocysteine, Lp-PLA2 activity, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).ResultsVegetarians had higher serum levels of the following markers: hs-CRP (1.8 ± 3.4 vs. 1.2 1.8 mg/L, respectively; p = 0.05), homocysteine (9.39 ± 3.22 vs. 7.62 ± 2.41 µmol/L, respectively; p < 0.01), and triacylglycerol (96.91 ± 59.56 vs. 84.66 ± 43.24 mg/dL, respectively; p < 0.05). Vegetarians also had lower levels of Lp-PLA2 (18.32 ± 7.19 10-3 µmol/min/mL vs. 20.22 8.13 10-3 µmol/min/mL; p < 0.05), total cholesterol (180.62 ± 36.55 mg/dL vs. 192.73 ± 36.57 mg/dL; p < 0.01), LDL cholesterol (118.15 ± 32.8 vs. 126.41 ± 34.28 mg/dL; p < 0.05), and HDL cholesterol (55.59 ± 13.30 vs. 62.09 ± 14.52 mg/dL, p < 0.01). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that a vegetarian diet increases the chances for high serum hs-CRP and low Lp-PLA2 activity.ConclusionIn addition to lower total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol, Taiwanese female vegetarians have lower serum Lp-PLA2 activity but higher levels of hs-CRP, homocysteine, and triacylglyerol. It might be due to geographic differences of vegetarian diets, and further studies are needed.

Association of vegetarian diet with inflammatory biomarkers: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

“…Seven studies implemented a >2-year duration of vegetarianism (10)(11)(12)(13)29,32,33) . Eight studies reported lower concentrations of inflammatory marker(s) in vegetarians v. omnivores (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)28,29,31) , seven studies found no difference between groups (19,30,(32)(33)(34)(35)(36) , and three studies reported higher concentrations of inflammatory marker(s) in vegetarians v. omnivores (18,20,37) .…”

“…A meta-analysis was performed on seventeen studies including a total of 2398 subjects (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(18)(19)(20)(28)(29)(30)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37) ; the study by Paalani et al (31) was not included in the metaanalysis because data were reported as median and interquartile range. Pooled effect size showed that there was no difference in hs-CRP levels in vegetarians v. Fig.…”

“…Chen (2011/Taiwan) (28) 363 (NR) 52 Cross-sectional Lacto-ovo NR >1 year Unadjusted Lower CRP in vegetarians 7 Yen (2010/Taiwan) (36) 49 Chen (2008/Taiwan) (10) 198 (both) 50 Cross-sectional Lacto-ovo NR >1 year Unadjusted Lower CRP in vegetarians 6 Sebeková (2001/Germany) (32) 61 Overall (I 2 = 75 . 6 %, P < 0 .…”

Vegetarian Diets and Blood Pressure

“…§ In 20 studies, diets were assessed by using questionnaires, typic ally food frequency questionnaires 17,29,32,34,35,38,40 or 24-hour diet recalls. { Interviews or self-report were used in 7 studies, 18,19,24,28,36,43,47 and weighing methods were used for 1 study 21 ; the means of dietary assessment were not reported in 4 studies. 23,26,30,46 Of the 32 observational studies, 12 conducted repeated measurements of BP.# The adjusted factors in each study are shown in the Supplement (eTable 2).…”

Potential Role of Vegetarianism on Nutritional and Cardiovascular Status in Taiwanese Dialysis Patients: A Case-Control Study

“…Vegetarian diets have long been considered beneficial for health. Several investigators have shown that vegetarian diets have a positive impact in altering serum lipids, reducing blood pressure, improving glycemia control and insulin sensitivity, reducing weight, and lowering mortality [ 12 , 13 ]. However, other studies have found no beneficial effects and indicated that vegetarian diets were associated with the development of subclinical protein malnutrition and vitamin deficiency [ 14 , 15 ].…”