Inhibition of circulating immune cell activation: a molecular antiinflammatory effect of the Mediterranean diet

• Published in: The American journal of clinical nutrition Vol. 89; no. 1; pp. 248 - 256
• Main Authors: Mena, Mari-Pau, Sacanella, Emilio, Vazquez-Agell, Mónica, Morales, Mercedes, Fitó, Montserrat, Escoda, Rosa, Serrano-Martínez, Manuel, Salas-Salvadó, Jordi, Benages, Neus, Casas, Rosa, Lamuela-Raventós, Rosa M, Masanes, Ferran, Ros, Emilio, Estruch, Ramon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD Elsevier Inc 01.01.2009; American Society for Clinical Nutrition; American Society for Nutrition; American Society for Clinical Nutrition, Inc
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; anti-inflammatory activity; atherogenesis; Biological and medical sciences; biomarkers; Biomarkers - blood; blood chemistry; C-reactive protein; C-Reactive Protein - metabolism; Cardiovascular disease; cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases - blood; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - immunology; Cardiovascular Diseases - prevention & control; Cells; Cytokines - biosynthesis; Cytokines - blood; Diet; Diet, Fat-Restricted; Diet, Mediterranean; elderly; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; food choices; food intake; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Immune system; Immunity, Cellular; Inflammation - blood; Inflammation - immunology; intercellular adhesion molecule-1; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 - blood; interleukin-6; leukocytes; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - immunology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - physiology; low fat diet; Male; mechanism of action; Mediterranean diet; men; Middle Aged; Molecular biology; Nutrition; Nuts; Olea; Olive Oil; Plant Oils - administration & dosage; Risk Factors; risk reduction; temporal variation; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 - blood; vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; women; Human; Mediterranean diet; Antiinflammatory agent; Activation; A-Cell; Inhibition; Molecular biology
• ISSN: 0002-9165; 1938-3207
• DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.2008.26094

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet (Med-Diet) is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the molecular mechanisms involved are not fully understood. The objective was to compare the effects of 2 Med-Diets with those of a low-fat diet on immune cell activation and soluble inflammatory biomarkers related to atherogenesis in subjects at high risk of CVD. In a controlled study, we randomly assigned 112 older subjects with diabetes or ≥3 CVD risk factors to 3 dietary intervention groups: Med-Diet with supplemental virgin olive oil (VOO), Med-Diet with supplemental nuts, and low-fat diet. Changes from baseline in cellular and serum inflammatory biomarkers were assessed at 3 mo. One hundred six participants (43% women; average age: 68 y) completed the study. At 3 mo, monocyte expression of CD49d, an adhesion molecule crucial for leukocyte homing, and of CD40, a proinflammatory ligand, decreased (P < 0.05) after both Med-Diets but not after the low-fat diet. Serum interleukin-6 and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, inflammatory mediators crucial in firm adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial surfaces, decreased (P < 0.05) in both Med-Diet groups. Soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 and C-reactive protein decreased only after the Med-Diet with VOO (P < 0.05), whereas interleukin-6, soluble vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 increased (P < 0.05) after the low-fat diet. Med-Diets supplemented with VOO or nuts down-regulate cellular and circulating inflammatory biomarkers related to atherogenesis in subjects at high risk of CVD. The results support the recommendation of the Med-Diet as a useful tool against CVD.