The Medi-RIVAGE study: reduction of cardiovascular disease risk factors after a 3-mo intervention with a Mediterranean-type diet or a low-fat diet.

Background: Epidemiologic studies link Mediterranean-type diets to a low incidence of cardiovascular disease; however, few dietary intervention studies have been undertaken, especially in primary prevention.

Objectives: In the Mediterranean Diet, Cardiovascular Risks and Gene Polymorphisms (Medi-RIVAGE) study, the effects of a Mediterranean-type diet (Med group) or a low-fat diet (low-fat group) on risk factors were evaluated in 212 volunteers (men and women) with moderate risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Design: After the 3-mo dietary intervention, changes in many risk factors were evaluated.

Lycopene but not lutein nor zeaxanthin decreases in serum and lipoproteins in age-related macular degeneration patients.

Background: Epidemiological studies have established that a low serum concentration of carotenoids was associated with risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). The aim of this study was to determine carotenoid levels in serum and in different lipoprotein fractions in patients diagnosed for ARMD and in matched control group.

Method: Thirty-four ARMD patients and 21 control subjects from Brest area (France) have been included to this study.

In vivo and in vitro evidences that carotenoids could modulate the neutrophil respiratory burst during dietary manipulation.

Background: The primary role of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) is to destroy pathogenic microorganisms after phagocytosis by producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and toxic molecules. However, PMNs produce sufficient amounts of ROS during an oxidative burst to be autotoxic and detrimental to their own functions and to possibly cause DNA damage, protein and lipid oxidation and cell membrane destructuration.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate in vivo the role of the antioxidant capacities of carotenoids in modulating ROS content in PMNs during oxidative burst.

Comparison of the postprandial chylomicron carotenoid responses in young and older subjects.

Background: The plant carotenoids may contribute to the beneficial health effect of fruits- and vegetables-rich diet. Epidemiological studies consistently associated high plasma carotenoids status with reduced age-related diseases. However, the data concerning the bioavailability of carotenoids in the elderly are scarce.

Effect of carrot intake on cholesterol metabolism and on antioxidant status in cholesterol-fed rat.

Background: Vegetables are major dietary sources of fibers and antioxidants such as carotenoids, polyphenols and vitamin C which contribute to explain their protective effects against cardiovascular diseases.

Aim Of The Study: We investigated in the rat the effects of a 3-week supplementation of the diet with carrot (15% dry matter) on lipid metabolism and antioxidant status.

Results: A significant decrease of cholesterol level in liver (-44%; P= 0.

Short-term supplementation with lutein affects biomarkers of lutein status similarly in young and elderly subjects.

There is evidence that lutein may protect against age-related macular degeneration, cataract, cancers and cardiovascular diseases, but no data have been published on the effect of age on lutein status. The purpose of this work was to determine whether there are major differences in the status of this carotenoid between young and elderly subjects. Initial lutein status and the effect of a 5-week lutein supplementation (9 mg/d) on the most common markers of lutein status were compared in 12 young (26.

Feedback regulation of beta,beta-carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase by retinoic acid in rats and chickens.

beta,beta-Carotene 15,15'-monooxygenase (formerly termed beta,beta-carotene 15,15'-dioxygenase, EC 1.13.11.

Carotenoids, mostly the xanthophylls, exchange between plasma lipoproteins.

Carotenoids are exclusively transported by lipoproteins; in vitro studies suggest that they might protect these particles against oxidation. Little is known about the factors that govern the distribution of these micronutrients among lipoproteins. The objective of this study was to assess whether carotenoids are exchanged between lipoproteins and what factors, if any, were involved.

Short-term consumption of a high-sucrose diet has a pro-oxidant effect in rats.

The underlying mechanisms for the detrimental consequences of a high-fructose diet in animal models are not clear. However, the possibility exists that fructose feeding facilitates oxidative damage. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess, in weaning rats, the effect of a high-sucrose diet v.

Vegetable-borne lutein, lycopene, and beta-carotene compete for incorporation into chylomicrons, with no adverse effect on the medium-term (3-wk) plasma status of carotenoids in humans.

Background: The results of epidemiologic studies have consistently shown associations between dietary intake or plasma carotenoid status and incidence of cancers and cardiovascular and eye diseases.

Objective: The aim was to assess whether vegetable-borne carotenoids (lycopene, lutein, and beta-carotene) compete for intestinal absorption and whether this affects the plasma status of carotenoids in the medium term (ie, after 3 wk).

Design: During 3-wk periods separated by 3-wk washout periods, 20 women were supplemented with either 96 g tomato purée/d (14.