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trans-Lycopene from tomato juice attenuates inflammatory biomarkers in human plasma samples: An intervention trial
Mariel Colmán-Martínez1, Miriam Martínez-Huélamo2,3, Palmira Valderas-Martínez2,4
1Department of Nutrition, Food Sciences and Gastronomy, XaRTA, School of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, INSA, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
Scope:
The effect of carotenoids from tomato juice (TJ) on inflammatory biomarkers was evaluated by performing a 4-week dose-response nutritional trial in a population at high cardiovascular risk.
Methods And Results:
An open, prospective, randomized, cross-over, and controlled clinical trial was carried out with 28 volunteers (mean age 69.7 ± 3.1 years; mean BMI 31.5 ± 3.6 kg/m2 ) at high cardiovascular risk, which were assigned to consume daily for 4 weeks in random order: 200 mL (LD) or 400 mL (HD) of TJ, or water as a control (C), with a 21-day wash-out period between each intervention. Blood samples were collected at baseline (B) and after each intervention. Endpoints included significant changes in plasmatic carotenoids, and adhesion molecules ICAM-1, and VCAM-1, as well as a tendency to decrease the chemokine IL-8. Compared to C, concentration of ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 were significantly lower (p ˂ 0.001), after each TJ intervention. Decreases were correlated remarkably with the trans-lycopene, while the other carotenoids present in TJ have presented a minor association or no association with changes in these molecules.
Conclusion:
trans-Lycopene from TJ may attenuate the risk of cardiovascular disease by reducing the concentration of important inflammatory molecules related to atherosclerosis.
Insights
Tomato juice carotenoids, particularly trans-lycopene, significantly reduced inflammatory biomarkers like ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 in adults at high cardiovascular risk.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Cardiovascular Health
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is elevated in populations with high inflammation.
- Dietary carotenoids, found in tomato juice (TJ), are investigated for their potential health benefits.
- Inflammatory biomarkers play a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of tomato juice carotenoids on inflammatory biomarkers in individuals at high cardiovascular risk.
- To determine the dose-response relationship of TJ consumption on inflammatory markers.
- To identify specific carotenoids responsible for observed changes in inflammatory molecules.
Main Methods:
- A 4-week, open, prospective, randomized, cross-over, controlled clinical trial was conducted.
- 28 volunteers at high cardiovascular risk consumed 200 mL (LD) or 400 mL (HD) of TJ, or water (C) daily for 4 weeks, with a 21-day washout period.
- Blood samples were analyzed for plasmatic carotenoids, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and IL-8.
Main Results:
- Both low-dose (LD) and high-dose (HD) TJ significantly reduced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) compared to the control (p < 0.001).
- Reductions in ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 were strongly correlated with increased trans-lycopene levels.
- Other carotenoids in TJ showed minimal or no association with changes in these adhesion molecules.
Conclusions:
- Tomato juice, rich in trans-lycopene, may help reduce cardiovascular disease risk.
- Trans-lycopene consumption can attenuate cardiovascular risk by lowering key inflammatory molecules linked to atherosclerosis.
- Dietary interventions with TJ show promise in managing inflammation associated with cardiovascular disease.
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