Abstract
ObjectivesTo observe the relationship between dietary intake and plasma concentration of carotenoids relative to ankle brachial index (ABI), a measure of peripheral artery disease and heart disease risk factor, in Puerto Rican adults. MethodsData were from 829 participants in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (aged 49–81 y at time of measurement). Risk of atherosclerosis was measured by ABI (systolic blood pressure at the ankle relative to at the brachial artery). Dietary intake of carotenoids was assessed by food frequency questionnaire and plasma total carotenoids with a colorimetric assay using a Beckman DU640 Spectrophotometer (CV 6%). SAS (version 9.4) was used to conduct analyses, including logistic regression. ResultsThe mean ABI was 0.99 +/– 0.09, mean plasma carotenoids (ug/dl), 94.6 +/– 41.7, and mean total dietary intake of carotenoids 9675 +/– 7494. 10% of participants had ABI < 0.9. Our measure of plasma carotenoids was significantly associated with low ABI (<0.9) in all models, including those adjusted for age, sex, BMI, plasma triglycerides, alcohol use, smoking, physical activity score, waist circumference, cholesterol, serum albumin, serum creatinine, diabetes, medications for lipids, medications for blood pressure, and poverty/income ratio (OR = 0.99; 95% CI = 0.98–1.00, P = 0.03). Associations between estimated dietary intake of total carotenoids and ABI were also statistically significant (OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.37–1.00, P = 0.05). Major sources of carotenoids in this population included tomato sauce, calabaza squash, carrots, plantains and root crops. ConclusionsTotal plasma carotenoid concentration and dietary intake of carotenoids were significantly associated with peripheral artery disease. Further research is needed to clarify the specific role of carotenoids in this relationship, and to identify if intake of individual (vs. total) dietary carotenoids provide a protective effect against arterial blockage in this high-risk population. Funding SourcesNIH-NHLBI. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs▪
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