Carotenoids may protect against atherosclerosis

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Carotenoids may protect against atherosclerosis

 

A recent study associates high blood levels of several

carotenoids, specifically lutein, zeaxanthin,

beta-cryptoxanthin, and alpha-carotene, with the

reduced progression of atherosclerosis.

 

Researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of the

University of Southern California, Los Angeles went

forward with the study because “recent epidemiologic

and animal model data suggest that oxygenated

carotenoids are protective against early

atherosclerosis.” They assessed the association

between atherosclerotic progression by measuring

intima-media thickness (IMT) of the carotid artery

wall and plasma levels of oxygenated and hydrocarbon

carotenoids, tocopherols, retinol, and ascorbic acid.

 

Study participants were from a cohort of 573

middle-aged women and men who were free of symptomatic

cardiovascular disease at baseline. Ultrasound

examination of the common carotid arteries, lipid

level determination and risk factor assessment were

performed at baseline and at the 18-month follow-up.

 

Researchers noted significant changes in IMT, related

to the amount of lutein, beta-cryptoxanthin,

zeaxanthin, and alpha-carotene in the blood. Even

after adjusting for additional cardiac risk factors,

the changes remained significant, leading researchers

to state, “These findings suggest that higher levels

of plasma oxygenated carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin,

beta-cryptoxanthin) and alpha-carotene may be

protective against early atherosclerosis.”

 

Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 24(2):313-319, 2004