[Homocysteine and coronary artery disease].
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Coronary Artery Disease↗
Biomedical subjects
Antti Aro
Publications and source records attributed to Antti Aro.
[Should obesity be attacked by tax for overweight and censure?].
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Advertising↗
Antioxidant supplementation and risk of chronic disease.
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Antioxidants↗
Mercury, fish oils, and the risk of myocardial infarction.
BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that mercury, a highly reactive heavy metal with no known physiologic activity, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Because fish intake is a major source of exposure to mercury, the mercury content of fish may counteract the beneficial effects of its n-3 fatty acids. METHODS: In a case-control study conducted in eight European countries and Israel, we evaluated the joint association of mercury levels in toenail clippings and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6n-3, or DHA) levels in adipose tissue with the risk of a first myocardial infarction among men. The patients were 684 men with a first diagnosis of myocardial infarction. The controls were 724 men selected to be representative of the same populations. RESULTS: The average toenail mercury level in controls was 0.25 microg per gram. After adjustment for the DHA level and coronary risk factors, the mercury levels in the patients were 15 percent higher than those in controls (95 percent confidence interval, 5 to 25 percent). The risk-factor-adjusted odds ratio for myocardial infarction associated with the highest as compared with the lowest quintile of mercury was 2.16 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.09 to 4.29; P for trend=0.006). After adjustment for the mercury level, the DHA level was inversely associated with the risk of myocardial infarction (odds ratio for the highest vs. the lowest quintile, 0.59; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.30 to 1.19; P for trend=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: The toenail mercury level was directly associated with the risk of myocardial infarction, and the adipose-tissue DHA level was inversely associated with the risk. High mercury content may diminish the cardioprotective effect of fish intake.
Adipose Tissue↗
Effect of alpha-linolenic acid-rich Camelina sativa oil on serum fatty acid composition and serum lipids in hypercholesterolemic subjects.
Camelina sativa-derived oil (camelina oil) is a good source of alpha-linolenic acid. The proportion of alpha-linolenic acid in serum fatty acids is associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases. We studied the effects of camelina oil on serum lipids and on the fatty acid composition of total lipids in comparison to rapeseed and olive oils in a parallel, double-blind setting. Sixty-eight hypercholesterolemic subjects aged 28 to 65 years were randomly assigned after a 2-week pretrial period to 1 of 3 oil groups: camelina oil, olive oil, and rapeseed oil. Subjects consumed daily 30 g (actual intake, approximately 33 mL) of test oils for 6 weeks. In the camelina group, the proportion of alpha-linolenic acid in fatty acids of serum lipids was significantly higher (P <.001) compared to the 2 other oil groups at the end of the study: 2.5 times higher compared to the rapeseed oil group and 4 times higher compared to the olive oil group. Respectively the proportions of 2 metabolites of alpha-linolenic acid (eicosapentaenoic and docosapentaenoic acids) increased and differed significantly in the camelina group from those in other groups. During the intervention, the serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol concentration decreased significantly by 12.2% in the camelina oil group, 5.4% in the rapeseed oil group, and 7.7% in the olive oil group. In conclusion, camelina oil significantly elevated the proportions of alpha-linolenic acid and its metabolites in serum of mildly or moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects. Camelina oil's serum cholesterol-lowering effect was comparable to that of rapeseed and olive oils.
Body Weight↗
Bioconversion of vaccenic acid to conjugated linoleic acid in humans.
BACKGROUND: Vaccenic acid (11-trans octadecenoic acid; VA), a major trans fatty acid in the fat of ruminants, is produced in the rumen and converted in tissues to rumenic acid (9-cis, 11-trans octadecenoic acid; RA), an isomer of conjugated linoleic acid, by Delta(9)-desaturase. There are indications that this conversion also occurs in humans. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this controlled intervention was to study the conversion of VA to RA in humans after consumption of diets with increasing amounts of VA. DESIGN: Thirty healthy subjects consumed a baseline diet rich in oleic acid for 2 wk. The subjects were then divided into 3 groups (n = 10 per group) and provided a diet containing 1.5, 3.0, or 4.5 g VA/d for 9 d. All diets contained equal amounts of macronutrients and differed only in their fatty acid compositions. The fats were mixed into conventional foods, and nearly all food was provided during the study. RESULTS: The proportion of VA in serum total fatty acids increased 94%, 307%, and 620% above baseline with the 1.5-, 3.0-, and 4.5-g diets, respectively. This was associated with a linear increase in the proportion of RA. The conversion rate was 19% on average, with significant interindividual differences with all 3 intakes of VA. The urinary excretion of 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2alpha) increased in all groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results quantify the desaturation of VA to RA in humans. Conversion is likely to contribute significantly to the amount of RA available to the body, and dietary intakes of VA should thus be taken into account when predicting RA status.
Adult↗
High intakes of vegetables, berries, and apples combined with a high intake of linoleic or oleic acid only slightly affect markers of lipid peroxidation and lipoprotein metabolism in healthy subjects.
BACKGROUND: A high consumption of vegetables and fruit is associated with decreased risk of ischemic heart disease and several cancers. The pathophysiology of these diseases involves free radical mechanisms. Diet may either enhance or diminish oxidative stress in the body. OBJECTIVE: We studied the effects of high and low intakes of vegetables, berries, and apples on markers of lipid peroxidation and lipoprotein metabolism in subjects consuming diets high in linoleic or oleic acid. DESIGN: For 6 wk, healthy men and women (n = 77; aged 19-52 y) consumed 1 of 4 controlled isoenergetic diets rich in either linoleic acid (11% of energy) or oleic acid (12% of energy) and containing either 815 or 170 g vegetables, berries, and apples/10 MJ. Nineteen healthy volunteers served as control subjects. Several markers of dietary compliance (plasma fatty acids, vitamin C, carotenoids, and quercetin), lipid peroxidation [ex vivo LDL oxidation, plasma and LDL thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, paraoxonase (EC 3.1.8.1), and urinary 8-iso-prostaglandin F(2)(alpha)], and lipoprotein metabolism (plasma lipids, apolipoproteins, and lipid transfer protein activities) were measured from samples collected before and at the end of the experimental period. RESULTS: Plasma fatty acid composition and antioxidant concentrations showed that compliance with the diets was good. However, there were no significant differences between the diets in the markers of lipid peroxidation and lipoprotein metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy volunteers with adequate vitamin intakes, 6-wk diets differing markedly in the amounts of linoleic and oleic acid and vegetables, berries, and apples did not differ in their effects on lipid peroxidation or lipoprotein metabolism.
Adult↗
Betaine supplementation decreases plasma homocysteine concentrations but does not affect body weight, body composition, or resting energy expenditure in human subjects.
BACKGROUND: Betaine (trimethylglycine) is found in several tissues in humans. It is involved in homocysteine metabolism as an alternative methyl donor and is used in the treatment of homocystinuria in humans. In pigs, betaine decreases the amount of adipose tissue. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine the effect of betaine supplementation on body weight, body composition, plasma homocysteine concentrations, blood pressure, and serum total and lipoprotein lipids. DESIGN: Forty-two obese, white subjects (14 men, 28 women) treated with a hypoenergetic diet were randomly assigned to a betaine-supplemented group (6 g/d) or a control group given placebo for 12 wk. The intervention period was preceded by a 4-wk run-in period with a euenergetic diet. RESULTS: Body weight, resting energy expenditure, and fat mass decreased significantly in both groups with no significant difference between the groups. Plasma homocysteine concentrations decreased in the betaine group ( +/- SD: 8.76 +/- 1.63 micro mol/L at 4 wk, 7.93 +/- 1.52 micro mol/L at 16 wk; P = 0.030 for the interaction of time and treatment). Diastolic blood pressure decreased without a significant difference between the groups. Serum total and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were higher in the betaine group than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A hypoenergetic diet with betaine supplementation (6 g daily for 12 wk) decreased the plasma homocysteine concentration but did not affect body composition more than a hypoenergetic diet without betaine supplementation did.
Adult↗
Dietary modifications and gene polymorphisms alter serum paraoxonase activity in healthy women.
Paraoxonase-1 (PON1), a HDL-associated enzyme, may protect against the development of atherosclerosis. Serum PON1 activity and PON1-mediated capacity of HDL to prevent lipoprotein oxidation are modulated by two common polymorphisms at positions 192 (Gln-->Arg) and 55 (Leu-->Met) of the PON1 gene. We studied the effect of dietary modifications on PON1 activity and the role of PON1 gene polymorphisms in the response. A controlled, crossover dietary intervention of two 5-wk periods was conducted in 37 healthy, nonsmoking women. The two study diets were either low or high in vegetables, and thus in natural antioxidants, with some differences in fatty acid contents. The mean plasma total (-8%, P < 0.001), LDL (-7%, P < 0.01) and HDL (-7%, P < 0.001%) cholesterol, and apolipoprotein A-I (-8%, P < 0.001) concentrations were lower after the high vegetable diet period than after the low vegetable diet period. Also, the serum PON1 activity was lower (P < 0.05) after the high vegetable compared with the low vegetable diet period. The reduction of PON1 activity correlated with the reduction in HDL cholesterol (r = 0.35, P < 0.05). High baseline PON1 activity was related to the presence of the PON1(192Arg) allele (P < 0.001) and PON1(55Leu/Leu) genotype (P < 0.001). The reduction of PON1 activity due to the high vegetable diet was greatest among the women with the PON1(192Arg) allele (P < 0.05) and PON1(55Leu/Leu) genotype (P < 0.05). In conclusion, a diet high in vegetables, berries and fruit reduces PON1 activity, and the response is modulated by the genetic variance of PON1.
Adult↗
Association between toenail scandium levels and risk of acute myocardial infarction in European men: the EURAMIC and Heavy Metals Study.
The association between scandium status and risk of acute myocardial infarction (MI) was examined in a multicentre case control study in 10 centres from Europe and Israel. Scandium in toenails was assessed in 684 cases and 724 controls less than 70 years of age. Mean concentrations of toenail scandium were 6.74 micro/kg in cases and 7.75 microg/kg in controls. Scandium among controls, adjusted for age and centre was positively associated with concentrations of lycopene and oleic acid in adipose tissue (P = 0.002 for both nutrients). Pearson correlations adjusted for age and centre were significant (P < 0.05) between scandium and lycopene (r = 0.08), zinc (r = 0.08), mercury (r = 0.18) and oleic acid (r = 0.21). Overall, cases had lower levels of scandium than controls after adjustment for age and centre (case control ratio, 0.87; 95% CI 0.79-0.96). This association persisted after adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors (case-control ratio 0.88; 95% CI, 0.79-0.98). The risk of MI at high scandium levels was reduced after adjustment for age and centre (P-trend = 0.04). Further adjustments for BMI, history of hypertension, smoking, alcohol intake, diabetes, family history of CHD, alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, lycopene, selenium and mercury slightly attenuated this trend (P = 0.055). Our results suggest that toenail scandium level is associated with a reduced risk of acute MI, but we are uncertain whether this element can really play a protective role in the development of CHD. Without an identified plausible mechanism, these results should be regarded as preliminary and should be tested in future studies.
Biomarkers↗