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

Mediators Inflamm. 2017:2017:3674390. doi: 10.1155/2017/3674390. Epub 2017 Apr 18.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Atherosclerosis / diet therapy*
  • Atherosclerosis / metabolism
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / diet therapy
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / metabolism
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / pathology
  • Chemokine CCL4 / metabolism
  • Chemokine CCL5 / metabolism
  • Diet, Fat-Restricted
  • Diet, Mediterranean*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-18 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Lipoproteins, LDL / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic / diet therapy
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic / metabolism
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic / pathology
  • Risk Factors
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Chemokine CCL4
  • Chemokine CCL5
  • Interleukin-18
  • Interleukin-6
  • Lipoproteins, LDL
  • Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
  • oxidized low density lipoprotein
  • Interleukin-10