Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy biomarkers in older individuals at high cardiovascular disease risk: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses.

Background: The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) has been related to a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes.

Objectives: We aimed to prospectively assess the relationship between adherence to the MedDiet and advanced lipoprotein subclass profiles and glucose metabolism and inflammation markers, as determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

Design: We conducted cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses within the framework of the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea study in 196 participants from the Reus-Tarragona center. Adherence to the MedDiet was assessed using a 14-item validated questionnaire [Mediterranean Diet Adherence Score (MEDAS)]. Plasma lipoprotein subclasses and molecular metabolite profiles were determined using NMR spectra collected on a Vantera Clinical Analyzer at baseline and after 1 y of follow-up. Baseline and 1-y categories of MEDAS were related to measures of lipoprotein atherogenicity and diabetes risk using multivariable-adjusted analysis of covariance models.

Results: Compared with participants in the lowest category of baseline MEDAS, those in the highest category showed higher concentrations of total high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles and H1P HDL, lower concentrations of very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-triglyceride, smaller size of VLDL, and lower concentrations of very large VLDL, as well as lower concentrations of branched-chain amino acids, leucine, and GlycA and reduced Diabetes Risk Index (DRI) scores. In addition, participants who increased by 3 or more points in their 1-y MEDAS showed an increase in concentrations of H7P-HDL, H5P-HDL, and citrate, and reduced acetone and DRI scores compared with those with lesser adherence increases.

Conclusions: In older adults at high cardiometabolic risk, higher MEDAS was associated with modest beneficial changes in lipoprotein and glucose metabolism. The results suggest that lipoprotein subclass distribution and glycemic control are potential mechanisms behind the well-known salutary effects of MedDiet on CVD and diabetes risk. Future clinical trials exploring the effects of the MedDiet on advanced lipoprotein subclass profiles and glucose metabolism markers are needed to confirm the results of our study.

Trial Registration Number: This trial was registered at controlled-trials.com as ISRCTN35739639.