Effects of Mediterranean Diet on Endothelial Reactivity in Individuals with High Cardiometabolic Risk: A Randomized...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Nutritional Science
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Endothelial dysfunction is a key early factor in vascular disease pathogenesis.
• The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is linked to improved endothelial function and may impact atherosclerosis.
• High cardiometabolic risk patients often exhibit impaired endothelial function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the acute and sustained effects of the Mediterranean Diet (MD) on endothelial function.
• To evaluate endothelial function in patients with high cardiometabolic risk following MD intervention.
• To compare MD effects against a Control Diet (CD) in this population.

Main Methods:

• A single-blind, parallel-group study randomized 25 patients into MD or CD groups.
• Endothelial function was measured using flow-mediated dilation (FMD) at baseline and 8 weeks.
• FMD assessments were conducted under fasting and 2-hour post-meal conditions by a blinded sonographer.

Main Results:

• The MD group showed significantly improved FMD compared to the CD group at all measured time points (T0-2h, T8w-fasting, T8w-2h).
• Oral glucose insulin sensitivity (OGIS) correlated with FMD changes post-meal.
• MD adherence was an independent predictor of FMD improvements, even after adjusting for age, gender, and OGIS.

Conclusions:

• Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) can enhance endothelial function in the short and medium term.
• The MD shows promise for improving vascular health in high cardiometabolic risk populations.
• These findings support the MD's role in managing conditions associated with endothelial dysfunction.