Cross-over study on effects of Mediterranean diet in two randomly selected population samples

Effects of a Calorie-Restricted Mediterranean-Style Diet on Plasma Lipids in Hypercholesterolemic South Korean Patients

The objective of this randomized cross-over trial was to evaluate the short term effects of a calorie-restricted Korean style Mediterranean diet (KMD) versus a calorie-restricted conventional diet on lipid profile and other metabolic parameters in hypercholesterolemic patients. Ninety-two patients with hypercholesterolemia were randomly assigned to two groups and switched to the other group following a 4-week intervention after a 2-week washout period. While participants during KMD intervention period received home delivery of two meals daily except for weekends, those during the control group were advised to consume a conventional diet. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) significantly decreased in KMD group even after adjusting for age, sex, total energy intake changes, alcohol consumption, smoking status, and physical activity changes (all p < 0.05). Anthropometric parameters, white blood cell (WBC), fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and fatty liver index (FLI) also significantly decreased after KMD intervention (all p < 0.05). In addition, WBC, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-C and FLI were significantly decreased even after adjusting for weight reduction changes. Calorie-restricted KMD not only helps to treat dyslipidemia by improving the lipid parameters but also has beneficial effects on reducing cardiovascular risk by improving chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and fatty liver.

Multi-element Analysis and Geographical Origin Classification of Italian (Calabrian) Wines

Background and Objectives:

In this article, a comprehensive study was carried out for food authenticity evaluation through chemometric analyses, correlating botanical and geographical origins with food chemical composition.

Methods:

A total of eighteen Calabrian red, rose and white wines were analyzed through Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Results:

The mineral concentrations, determined by ICP-MS in the investigated wine samples, followed the subsequent order: K > P > Mg > Na > Ca > Fe > Cu > Zn > Mn > V.

Conclusions:

Experimental results demonstrated that it is possible to strictly relate, through the PCA, wines to their geographical and botanical provenance, thus becoming a useful tool for evaluating the product authenticity and guaranteeing it to the consumers.

Radioactivity and Heavy Metals Concentration in Italian (Calabrian) DOC Wines

: Wine is an alcoholic drink, largely used to accompany food, with a key role in the protective effects on cardiovascular diseases. This study was developed to investigate radioisotopes and heavy metal content of twenty red, rose and white Italian wines, belonging to controlled origin denomination (DOC) geographic areas of the Calabria region, south of Italy. High Purity Germanium (HPGe) Gamma Spectrometry was employed to evaluate anthropogenic (137Cs) and natural (40K) radionuclides specific activity. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to assess any possible heavy metals contamination by a comparison between Cu, Zn, Pb, B, As and Cd concentrations with the limits set by the Italian Legislation. Calculated annual effective doses due to the ingestion of investigated samples are under allowable levels (1 mSv/year), thus excluding the risk of ionizing radiation effects on humans. Regarding to the metals concentration, experimental results show that they are lower than the contamination threshold values, thus excluding their presence as pollutants.

Chemometric analysis of minerals and trace elements in Sicilian wines from two different grape cultivars

Chemometric analysis are used for food authenticity evaluation, correlating botanical and geographical origins with food chemical composition. This research was carried out in order to prove that it is possible linked red wines to Nero d'Avola and Syrah cultivars of Vitis vinifera according to their mineral content, while the values of the physical and chemical parameters do not affect relevantly this discrimination. The levels of mineral elements were determined by ICP-OES and ICP-MS. Samples from cv Nero d'Avola had the highest content of Zn, Cr, Ni, As and Cd, whereas the highest mineral concentration in cv Syrah samples was represented by K, Mg, Cu, and Sb. The research highlights that it is possible linked red wines to Nero d'Avola and Syrah cultivars of V. vinifera according to their mineral contents, adding knowledge to the determination studies of the wine botanical origin.

Investigation and management of hypertriglyceridaemia

While the precise definition of hypertriglyceridaemia remains contentious, the condition is becoming more common in western populations as the prevalence of obesity and diabetes mellitus rise. Although there is strong epidemiological evidence that hypertriglyceridaemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, it is has been difficult to demonstrate this by drug intervention studies, as drugs that reduce triglycerides also raise high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Precise target values have also been difficult to agree, although several of the new guidelines for coronary risk management now include triglycerides. The causes of hypertriglyceridaemia are numerous. The more severe forms have a genetic basis, and may lead to an increased risk of pancreatitis. Several types of hypertriglyceridaemia are familial and are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Secondary causes of hypertriglyceridaemia are also numerous and it is important to exclude these before starting treatment with specific triglyceride-lowering agents. Lifestyle management is also very effective and includes weight reduction, restricted alcohol and fat intake and exercise.

Olive oil and the haemostatic system

Interest in the Mediterranean diet (MD) has grown worldwide due to its link with greater longevity and lower cardiovascular disease rate, cancer and age cognitive decline. Despite the high complexity of its nutrients composition, olive oil emerges as its principal food, since it provides the higher percent of energy and a lot of bioactive compounds. In this review we will discuss the benefits of diets enriched in virgin olive oil, whose effects are probably due not only to its oleic acid content but also to its other potentially health-promoting components. Traditionally, the benefits of MD were linked to its effect on lipoprotein metabolism but today we realise that there exists a whole sheaf of other benefits, including the components of haemostasis: platelet function, thrombogenesis and fibrinolysis. A diet enriched in virgin olive oil can reduce the sensitivity of platelets to aggregation, decreasing von Willebrand and tromboxane B2 plasma levels. Moreover a particular interest has arisen about its capacity to decrease fasting Factor VII plasma levels and to avoid or modulate its postprandial activation. Also Tissue Factor expression in mononuclear cells could be reduced with the chronic intake of virgin olive oil and finally, studies performed in different experimental situation have shown that it could also increase fibrinolytic activity, reducing plasma concentration of Plasma Activator Inhibitor type-1.

Effects of moderate Sicilian red wine consumption on inflammatory biomarkers of atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of moderate Sicilian red wine consumption on cardiovascular risk factors and, in particular, on some inflammatory biomarkers.

METHODS

A total of 48 subjects of both sexes who were nondrinkers or rare drinkers of moderate red wine were selected and randomly subdivided into two groups assigned to receive with a crossover design a Sicilian red wine (Nero d'Avola or Etna Torrepalino) during meals: Group A (n = 24), in whom the diet was supplemented for 4 weeks with 250 ml/day of red wine, followed by 4 weeks when they returned to their usual wine intake; and Group B (n = 24), in whom the usual wine intake was maintained for 4 weeks, followed by 4 weeks when the diet was supplemented with 250 ml/day of red wine. The following were values measured in all tests: blood glucose, total and HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, LDL/HDL ratio, apolipoproteins A1 and B, Lp(a), plasma C-reactive protein, TGFbeta1, D-Dimer, Factor VII , PAl Ag, t-PA Ag, fibrinogen, oxidized LDL Ab, total plasma antioxidant capacity.

RESULTS

At the end of the red wine intake period, LDL/HDL, fibrinogen, factor VII, plasma C-reactive protein and oxidized LDL Ab were significantly decreased, while HDL-C, Apo A1,TGFbeta1, t-PA, PAI and total plasma antioxidant capacity were significantly increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results show a positive effect of two Sicilian red wines on many risk factors and on some inflammatory biomarkers, suggesting that a moderate consumption of red wine in the adult population is a positive component of the Mediterranean diet.