CLINICAL RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION ABSTRACTS
Please note: All posters will be displayed in Salons 10-12.

THURSDAY, 5:30-6:15 PM


Taylor AG, Vincent HK, Bourguignon C.

Association of a novel dietary "phytochemical index" with measures of inflammation and oxidative stress in obese young adults.

University of Virginia agt@virginia.edu

Diets consisting of plant sources are rich in phytochemicals and are related to lower incidence of cardiovascular disease (CAD) and lower body weight than diets low in plant foods. A newly proposed estimate of dietary phytochemical intake ("Phytochemical Index (PI)" = the ratio of calories derived from phytochemical-rich foods/total calories consumed) may be a useful clinical tool in the dietary management of persons susceptible to CAD, such as the obese. Dietary patterns, PI scores, body fat indexes (percent body fat, waist circumference, BMI), and inflammatory cytokines were measured in non-obese (BMI <25 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2) and obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2) adults. Fifty men and women (18-30 years) completed dietary and blood analyses and aerobic fitness testing. Blood samples were analyzed for inflammation (interleukins 1, 6 and c-reactive protein; IL-1, IL-6, CRP), oxidative stress (lipid hydroperoxides, PEROX) and blood lipids (cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoproteins). Aerobic fitness was higher in the non-obese (32.8 ± 1.3 ml/kg*min) than in the overweight and obese (24.9±1.9, 15.3±1.2 ml/kg*min; p=0.0001). PI scores were highest in the non-obese group than in the remaining two groups (p<0.05). Fat intake was greater while phytochemical intake of lutein (+zeaxanthin), b-cryptoxanthin and lycopene were lower in the obese group than the remaining groups (p<0.05). Of the major dietary food groups, overweight and obese participants consumed fewer servings of green leafy vegetables, dried fruit, fresh fruit, whole grain breads and other green vegetables than non-obese participants (p<0.05). IL-1, IL-6 and CRP concentrations were higher in the obese than in the overweight or non-obese (p<0.05). After controlling for fitness, PI inversely correlated with body weight, waist circumference and BMI (r values ranging from -.502 to -.643; p<0.05), systolic blood pressure (r = -0.511; p<0.05) PEROX (r = -0.332; p<0.05) and IL-1 (r = -.517; p<0.05). Finally, using a hierarchal regression analysis model, the PI score was found to be a significant contributor to weight gain that occurred within the past year for all participants (R2 change = 0.08, p<0.05). In conclusion, the PI is related to measures of inflammation, oxidative stress, weight gain and obesity. This tool may potentially be used in patient care plans that focus on holistic dietary approaches to reduce blood pressure, inflammation and oxidative stress, especially in overweight and obese persons.

 

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