Plain language summary
The traditional Mediterranean diet is known to reduce the risk of developing several chronic diseases including cardiovascular disease (CVD). The major underlying factors of CVD are oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, and oxidised low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) particles have been associated with increased CVD risk. The aim of this crossover trial was to evaluate the impact of various meal combinations on ox-LDL status and genetic expression of oxidative stress and inflammation. A total of 24 participants were analysed after consumption of four different meal combinations with washout periods in between: Mediterranean meal, McDonald’s meal, both with and without red wine. The findings of this study showed a significant reduction of ox-LDL depending on the quality of meal consumed, and found red wine to have a protective effect. The results of this study indicate that the antioxidant potential of nutrients found in the Mediterranean diet and red wine may be important for reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in chronic disease.
Abstract
Several studies have found that adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, including consumption of red wine, is associated with beneficial effects on oxidative and inflammatory conditions. We evaluate the outcome of consumption of a McDonald's Meal (McD) and a Mediterranean Meal (MM), with and without the additive effect of red wine, in order to ascertain whether the addition of the latter has a positive impact on oxidized (ox-) LDL and on expression of oxidative and inflammatory genes. A total of 24 subjects were analyzed for ox-LDL, CAT, GPX1, SOD2, SIRT2, and CCL5 gene expression levels, before and after consumption of the 4 different meal combinations with washout intervals between each meal. When red wine is associated with McD or MM, values of ox-LDL are lowered (P < 0.05) and expression of antioxidant genes is increased, while CCL5 expression is decreased (P < 0.05). SIRT2 expression after MM and fasting with red wine is significantly correlated with downregulation of CCL5 and upregulation of CAT (P < 0.001). GPX1 increased significantly in the comparison between baseline and all conditions with red wine. We highlighted for the first time the positive effect of red wine intake combined with different but widely consumed meal types on ox-LDL and gene expression. Trial Registration. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01890070.
Methodological quality
Jadad score
:
2
Allocation concealment
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Yes
