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Research: SESSO,
Listed in Issue 137
Abstract
SESSO, Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts Veterans Epidemiology Research and Information Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts 02215-1204, USA, hsesso@hsph.harvard.edu, has reviewed (58 references) carotenoids and cardiovascular disease.
Background
Dietary and blood carotenoids, including alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein/zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin, have been examined in a number of epidemiological studies in recent years for the risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this review was to assimilate the existing and recent literature on carotenoids and cardiovascular disease and to consider what research gaps may remain.
Methodology
Literature review.
Results
Numerous large cohort studies have been published that have examined dietary intake or blood levels of total or individual carotenoids with the risk of various cardiovascular endpoints. Overall, early, promising results have grown increasingly inconsistent over time. More recently, studies examining lycopene and lutein/zeaxanthin have offered more promising data on a possible, but not yet established, inverse association with the risk of cardiovascular disease. Recent epidemiological data on beta-cryptoxanthin and cardiovascular disease are lacking. Primary and secondary prevention trials have extensively examined beta-carotene, but not other carotenoids, for the risk of cardiovascular disease as either the primary or secondary endpoint with largely null results. More recent studies have focused on individual carotenoids in relation to cardiovascular disease and require a more careful evaluation of potential mechanisms of effect.
Conclusion
Emerging recent evidence of potential cardioprotective effects for lycopene and carotenoids other than beta-carotene in the diet and blood suggest that there is more to be learned in the story of carotenoids and cardiovascular disease.
References
Sesso HD. Carotenoids and cardiovascular disease: what research gaps remain?. Current Opinion in Lipidology 17 (1): 11-16, Feb 2006.
