Abstract
Background and purpose: A large number of studies have contributed to the hypothesis that carotenoids, vitamins
A and E are protective against atherosclerosis by acting as antioxidants. The aim
of this study was to assess the relationship between plasma levels of carotenoids
(α- and β- carotene, lutein, lycopene, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin), vitamins A and
E, and atherosclerosis in the carotid and femoral arteries. Methods: This prospective and cross sectional study involved a randomly selected population
sample of 392 men and women aged 45–65 years. Carotid and femoral artery atherosclerosis
was assessed by high-resolution duplex ultrasound. Results: α- and β- carotene plasma levels were inversely associated with the prevalence of
atherosclerosis in the carotid and femoral arteries (P=0.004) and with the 5-year incidence of atherosclerotic lesions in the carotid arteries
(P=0.04). These findings were obtained after adjustment for other cardiovascular risk
factors (sex, age, LDL (low density lipoproteins), ferritin, systolic blood pressure,
smoking, categories of alcohol consumption, social status, C-reactive protein). Atherosclerosis
risk gradually decreased with increasing plasma α- and β-carotene concentrations (P=0.004). No associations were found between vitamin A and E plasma levels and atherosclerosis.
Conclusions: This study provides further epidemiological evidence of a protective role of high
α- and β- carotene in early atherogenesis.
Keywords
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: August 16, 2004
Accepted:
January 7,
2000
Received in revised form:
November 29,
1999
Received:
July 13,
1999
Identification
Copyright
© 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
