Abstract 711: Plasma Carotenoids Are Not Independent Determinants Of Subclinical Atherosclerosis In Coronary And Carotid Arteries

Abstract

The association between dietary intake and/or plasma carotenoids and increased risk of cardiovascular events is well-established. Carotenoids have been proposed to protect against atherosclerosis by regulating inflammation and oxidative stress, however, the association between carotenoids and subclinical atherosclerosis is sparsely documented. Here, we hypothesized that plasma carotenoids were independently associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in coronary and carotid arteries in a Swedish population-based cohort (50-64 years), thus supporting the therapeutic potential of high carotenoid intake. In total, 986 subjects (mean age 57, 50% females) without known cardiovascular disease received CT calcium scoring (CACS), CT coronary angiography and carotid ultrasonography. Major carotenoids (lutein + zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, α- and β-carotene) were measured in plasma. Intake of β-carotene was calculated based on a food frequency questionnaire. Data on sedentary behavior was derived from tri-axial accelerometers. Multinominal logistic regression was used to compare lower and upper tertiles of carotenoids with regard to CACS and atherosclerosis. Of all 986 subjects, 103 (10.4%) had CACS > 100, 197 (20.0%) had significant carotid atherosclerosis (> 1 plaque in carotid arteries), 295 (29.9%) had any coronary atherosclerosis and 37 (3.8%) had significant coronary atherosclerosis (≥ 50% stenosis in any coronary artery). In unadjusted models, low levels of total carotenoids, α- and β-carotene were significantly correlated with CAC > 100, coronary and carotid atherosclerosis. Low lutein correlated with carotid plaques and low intake of β-carotene with coronary and carotid plaques only. However, all associations lost significance after adjustment for age, sex, smoking status, abdominal obesity, BMI, sedentary behavior, hypertension, diabetes, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides and C-reactive protein. To conclude, major carotenoids were not independent determinants of subclinical atherosclerosis. Data indicate that low levels of carotenoids depend on several other risk factors, such as male sex, obesity and sedentarism, and highlight the need of multifactorial lifestyle interventions.