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Research: TAVANI and co-workers,
Listed in Issue 128
Abstract
TAVANI and co-workers, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Via Eritrea 62, Milan, 20157, Italy, have studied the link between dietary intake of carotenoids and the risk of myocardial infarction.
Background
Carotenoids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease through their antioxidant properties, but the results of epidemiological studies are controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze the relation between the intake of selected carotenoids and retinol and the risk of acute myocardial infarction.
Methodology
A case-control study was conducted in Milan, Italy, in 1995-2003. Cases were 760 patients with nonfatal myocardial infarction, and controls 682 patients admitted to hospital.
Results
The risk of myocardial infarction decreased with increasing intake of alpha-carotene (odds ratio = 0.71 for the highest versus the lowest quartile of intake), beta-carotene (odds ratio = 0.71) and beta-cryptoxanthin (odds ratio = 0.64). No associations emerged for total carotenoids, lycopene, lutein plus zeaxanthin and retinol.
Conclusion
This study suggests a weak protective effect of alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin on the risk of myocardial infarction.
References
Tavani A, Gallus S, Negri E, Parpinel M, La Vecchia C. Dietary intake of carotenoids and retinol and the risk of acute myocardial infarction in Italy. Free Radical Research 40 (6): 659-664, Jun 2006.
