Dietary Isorhamnetin Intake Is Inversely Associated with Coronary Artery Disease Occurrence in Polish Adults

Dietary strategies for cardiovascular disease risk factors prevention

Nutrition can play a key role in cardiovascular disease risk reduction, and its risk factors modification. This paper aims to present, compare, and summarize the main dietary concepts for preventing the main cardiovascular disease risk factors - obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The dietary models and macronutrient intakes were compared between main cardiovascular risk factors prevention recommendations. Dietary recommendations related to selected cardiovascular risk factors share the points, that can be suggested as crucial for overall cardiovascular risk factors reduction. Recommendations suggest limiting saturated fatty acids intake to <10% of total caloric intake in obesity, and <7 % in hypercholesterolemia, along with an increased intake of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids. In addition, daily dietary fiber intake should reach a level of 25-40 g. The vegetables and fruits should be consumed at a daily minimum level of 200g (or 4-5 portions) each. Salt intake should not exceed 5g/day. Alcohol should be generally avoided, and moderate intake levels (sex-specific) should not be exceeded. It is also worth noting, that proteins are essential for tissue formation and regeneration. Carbohydrates are the main source of energy, but it is necessary to choose products with a low glycemic index. Dietary antioxidants help combat free radicals and prevent cell damage.

Roles of gut microbiota in atrial fibrillation: insights from Mendelian randomization analysis and genetic data from over 430,000 cohort study participants

BACKGROUND

Gut microbiota imbalances have been suggested as a contributing factor to atrial fibrillation (AF), but the causal relationship is not fully understood.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the causal relationships between the gut microbiota and AF using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

METHODS

Summary statistics were from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of 207 gut microbial taxa (5 phyla, 10 classes, 13 orders, 26 families, 48 genera, and 105 species) (the Dutch Microbiome Project) and two large meta-GWASs of AF. The significant results were validated in FinnGen cohort and over 430,000 UK Biobank participants. Mediation MR analyses were conducted for AF risk factors, including type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease (CAD), body mass index (BMI), blood lipids, blood pressure, and obstructive sleep apnea, to explore the potential mediation effect of these risk factors in between the gut microbiota and AF.

RESULTS

Two microbial taxa causally associated with AF: species Eubacterium ramulus (odds ratio [OR] 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04-1.12, P = 0.0001, false discovery rate (FDR) adjusted p-value = 0.023) and genus Holdemania (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.07-1.25, P = 0.0004, FDR adjusted p-value = 0.042). Genus Holdemania was associated with incident AF risk in the UK Biobank. The proportion of mediation effect of species Eubacterium ramulus via CAD was 8.05% (95% CI 1.73% - 14.95%, P = 0.008), while the proportion of genus Holdemania on AF via BMI was 12.01% (95% CI 5.17% - 19.39%, P = 0.0005).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided genetic evidence to support a potential causal mechanism between gut microbiota and AF and suggested the mediation role of AF risk factors.

Apple Peel Supplementation Potential in Metabolic Syndrome Prevention

(1) Introduction: Apples are a source of bioactive substances, e.g., anthocyanidins and flavonols, and dietary fiber. Their highest concentrations are observed in the skin. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a set of conditions originally associated with obesity. Excessive adipose tissue accompanying obesity leads to chronic inflammation and metabolic disorders, which result in the development of dyslipidemia, elevated blood pressure, and glucose levels. Thus, supplementation of apple peels, a source of antioxidant substances and fiber, could potentially be a method supporting the prevention of MetS. This paper summarizes the results of available research on the potential impact of apple peel supplementation on the components of MetS. (2) Results: The results from in vitro and animal model studies indicate a positive effect of apple peel supplementation on lipid profile, glucose levels, and blood pressure regulation mediators. Only one human study was performed, and it showed that the consumption of apple peels had an effect on endothelial function but not on other clinical parameters. At the moment, there are no results from observations on large groups of people available. (3) Conclusions: The results of in vitro and animal-model studies indicate the potential of apple peel supplementation in MetS prevention, but it has not been clinically confirmed in human studies. Conducting large human studies could allow a definite clarification of the role of apple peel supplementation in MetS prevention.

The Relationship between Dietary Flavonols Intake and Metabolic Syndrome in Polish Adults

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of metabolic disorders primarily caused by central obesity, which results in chronic inflammation leading to hypertension, diabetes and atherogenic dyslipidemia. Inflammation underlying MetS could be the target for dietary flavonols as they present antioxidative properties. The aim of this paper was to analyze the differences in habitual intake of selected flavonols (quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin and myricetin) between MetS patients and healthy participants, and its relationship with MetS advancement. Ninety participants were enrolled in this study. The one-year flavonol intake was assessed with a dedicated food frequency questionnaire. The patients with MetS consumed significantly less quercetin (p = 0.01), kaempferol (p = 0.04), isorhamnetin (p < 0.001), total flavonols (p = 0.01), tomatoes (p = 0.001) and wine (p = 0.01) daily. Further analysis revealed a moderate inverse correlation between quercetin (p = 0.001), kaempferol (p = 0.01), isorhamnetin (p < 0.001), total flavonols (p = 0.001) and tomato consumption (p = 0.004) and MetS stage. The analysis of laboratory parameters showed that dietary intake of flavonols was not correlated with lipid profile, glucose level or renal function. On the basis of this observation, a potential protective effect of dietary flavonols, mainly from tomatoes, against MetS could be suggested. However, when referring to MetS components, flavonols probably mainly impact central obesity and blood pressure, without a significant impact on conventional lipid-profile parameters and glucose level.

The Impact of Dietary Flavonols on Central Obesity Parameters in Polish Adults

Background: Central obesity is defined as the excessive fat tissue located in abdominal region accompanied by systemic inflammation, which drives to cardiovascular disease. Flavonols are antioxidative agents present in food. The aim of this study was investigating the relationship between dietary flavonols intake and central obesity. Methods and results: 80 participants (40 central obese and 40 healthy controls) were administered a food frequency questionnaire dedicated to flavonols intake assessment. Body composition was measured with bioelectrical impedance analysis. The analysis showed significant differences between central obese participants and healthy controls in total flavonol (p = 0.005), quercetin (p = 0.003), kaempferol (p = 0.04) and isorhamnetin (p < 0.001) habitual intake. Among central obese participants, there was a moderate inverse correlation between fat mass (FM) and total flavonol (R = −0.378; 95% CI: −0.620 to −0.071; p = 0.02), quercetin (R = −0.352; 95% CI: −0.601 to −0.041; p = 0.03), kaempferol (R = −0.425; 95% CI: −0.653 to −0.127; p = 0.01) and myricetin intake (R = −0.352; 95% CI: −0.601 to −0.041; p = 0.03). BMI was inversely correlated with total flavonol (R = −0.330; 95% CI: −0.584 to −0.016; p = 0.04) and quercetin intake (R = −0.336; 95% CI: −0.589 to −0.023; p = 0.04). Waist circumference was inversely correlated with total flavonol (R = −0.328; 95% CI: −0.586 to −0.009; p = 0.04), quercetin (R = −0.322; 95% CI: −0.582 to −0.002; p = 0.048) and myricetin intake (R = −0.367; 95% CI: −0.615 to −0.054; p = 0.02). Among flavonols’ dietary sources, there was an inverse correlation between black tea consumption and FM (R: −0.511; 95% CI: −0.712 to −0.233; p < 0.001) and between coffee and waist circumference (R: −0.352; 95% CI: −0.604 to −0.036; p = 0.03) in central obese participants. Conclusions: The higher flavonol intake could play a protective role in abdominal obesity development. What is more, total and selected flavonol dietary intakes are inversely correlated with the parameters used for obesity assessment in central obese participants. The habitual consumption of products rich in flavonols, mainly tea and coffee, could possibly have a preventive role in abdominal obesity development.

Dietary Isorhamnetin Intake Is Associated with Lower Blood Pressure in Coronary Artery Disease Patients

Background: Recent studies suggest the positive role of flavonols on blood pressure (BP) values, although there are not many conducted on humans. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between flavonol intake and their main sources of consumption, and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) BP values in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. Methods and results: forty CAD patients completed a food-frequency questionnaire dedicated to flavonol-intake assessment. The analysis revealed significant correlation between isorhamnetin intake and SBP values—absolute (R: −0.36; 95% CI: −0.602 to −0.052; p = 0.02), and related to body mass (R: −0.38; 95% CI: −0.617 to −0.076; p = 0.02. This effect was observed in male participants (R: −0.65; 95% CI: −0.844 to −0.302; p = 0.001 and R: −0.63; 95% CI: −0.837 to −0.280; p = 0.002 respectively), but not in female patients. The main contributors were onions, tomatoes, blueberries, apples, tea, coffee and wine. White onion (R: −0.39; 95% CI: −0.624 to −0.088; p = 0.01) consumption was inversely correlated with SBP, and tomato consumption (R: −0.33; 95% CI: −0.581 to −0.020; p = 0.04) with DBP. The comparison between patients with BP < 140 mmHg and ≥140 mmHg revealed significant differences in white onion (p = 0.01) and blueberry (p = 0.04) intake. Conclusions: This study revealed the relationship between long-term dietary isorhamnetin intake and SBP values. The analysis of specific food intake showed that onion, tomato and blueberry consumption could impact BP values. This may suggest that a dietary approach which includes a higher intake of isorhamnetin-rich products could possibly result in BP lowering in CAD patients.