Background: Atherosclerosis remains clinically mute for a long time and frequently manifests itself with an acute cardiovascular event. The possibility of detecting this disease in a subclinical phase and reducing or reversing its progression is an issue of relevance. Published studies on the association between antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) have been inconclusive.
Methods: We enrolled 220 consecutive, asymptomatic participants. After carotid ultrasound investigation, a medical history was taken, a physical examination was performed and venous blood samples were collected. Venous blood samples were analyzed for concentrations of antioxidant vitamins and carotenoids.
Results: Low concentrations of vitamin A (p < 0.01), vitamin E (p < 0.001), lycopene (p < 0.01) and beta-carotene (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis (CIMT > or = 0.8 mm). In addition, marginally higher body mass index, plasma haemoglobin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also associated with carotid atherosclerosis, while other laboratory parameters considered in this study (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and C-reactive protein) were not significantly associated with carotid atherosclerosis.
Conclusions: Low plasma concentrations of antioxidant vitamins (A, E, beta-carotene) and lycopene were associated with early carotid atherosclerotic lesions as measured by CIMT. Regular intake of foods rich in lycopene and antioxidant vitamins may slow the progression of atherosclerosis.
2008 S. Karger AG, Basel