Mediterranean Diet and Atherothrombosis Biomarkers: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Issue 20 (30th September 2020) - Hernáez, Álvaro
Abstract : Scope: To assess whether following a Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) improves atherothrombosis biomarkers in high cardiovascular risk individuals. Methods and results: In 358 random volunteers from the PREvención con DIeta MEDiterránea trial, the 1‐year effects on atherothrombosis markers of an intervention with MedDiet, enriched with virgin olive oil (MedDiet‐VOO; n = 120) or nuts (MedDiet‐Nuts; n = 119) versus a low‐fat control diet ( n = 119), and whether large increments in MedDiet adherence (≥3 score points, versus compliance decreases) and intake changes in key food items are associated with 1‐year differences in biomarkers. Differences are observed between 1‐year changes in the MedDiet‐VOO intervention and control diet on the activity of platelet activating factor acetylhydrolase in high‐density lipoproteins (HDLs) (+7.5% [95% confidence interval: 0.17; 14.8]) and HDL‐bound α1 ‐antitrypsin levels (−6.1% [−11.8; −0.29]), and between the MedDiet‐Nuts intervention and the control arm on non‐esterified fatty acid concentrations (−9.3% [−18.1; −0.53]). Large MedDiet adherence increments are associated with less fibrinogen (−9.5% [−18.3; −0.60]) and non‐esterified fatty acid concentrations (−16.7% [−31.7; −1.74]). Increases in nut, fruit, vegetable, and fatty fish consumption, and decreases in processed meat intake are linked to enhancements in biomarkers. Conclusion: MedDiet improves atherothrombosis biomarkers in high cardiovascular risk individuals. Abstract : Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) improves atherothrombosis biomarkers in high cardiovascular risk individuals. Particularly, it improves HDL antithrombotic functions, non‐esterified fatty acid levels, and other biomarkers in certain subpopulations (antithrombin levels in volunteers with low adherence to MedDiet at baseline, and d ‐dimer concentrations in antithrombotic drug users). Substantial increases in dietary adherence are also linked to lower fibrinogen levels.