Carotenoids: potential allies of cardiovascular health?

  • Maria Alessandra Gammone "G.d'Annunzio" university of Chieti
  • Graziano Riccioni "De Lellis Hospital", Manfredonia (FG)
  • Nicolantonio D’Orazio "G.d'Annunzio" university of Chieti
Keywords: carotenoids, cardiovascular, lycopene, asthaxanthin, zeaxanthin, lutein, fucoxanthin, beta-criptoxanthin, lycopene.

Abstract

Carotenoids are a class of natural, fat-soluble pigments found principally in plants. They have potential antioxidant biological properties because of their chemical structure and interaction with biological membranes. Epidemiologic studies supported the hypothesis that antioxidants could be used as an inexpensive means of both primary and secondary cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention. In fact, the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) in the vessels plays a key role in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. The resistance of LDL to oxidation is increased by high dietary antioxidant intake, so that carotenoids, as part of food patterns such as the Mediterranean diet, may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health too. Further properties of carotenoids leading to a potential reduction of cardiovascular risk are represented by lowering of blood pressure, reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines and markers of inflammation (such as C-reactive protein), and improvement of insulin sensitivity in muscle, liver, and adipose tissues. In addition, recent nutrigenomics studies have focused on the exceptional ability of carotenoids in modulating the expression of specific genes involved in cell metabolism. The aim of this review is to focus attention to this effect of some carotenoids to prevent CVD.

Keywords: carotenoids; cardiovascular; lycopene astaxanthin; zeaxanthin; lutein; fucoxanthin; beta-cryptoxanthin; lycopene

(Published: 6 February 2015)

Citation: Food & Nutrition Research 2015, 59: 26762 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/fnr.v59.26762

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Author Biographies

Maria Alessandra Gammone, "G.d'Annunzio" university of Chieti
Medical Doctor, Department of Sperimental and Clinical Science, Clinical Nutrition Unit
Graziano Riccioni, "De Lellis Hospital", Manfredonia (FG)
Medical Doctor and Cardiologyst, Cardiology Unit
Nicolantonio D’Orazio, "G.d'Annunzio" university of Chieti
Medical Doctor and Professor, Clinical Nutrition Unit Director, Department of Sperimental and Clinical Science,
Published
2015-02-06
How to Cite
Gammone M. A., Riccioni G., & D’Orazio N. (2015). Carotenoids: potential allies of cardiovascular health?. Food & Nutrition Research, 59. https://doi.org/10.3402/fnr.v59.26762
Section
Review Articles

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