The Mediterranean and CHO diets decrease VCAM-1 and E-selectin expression induced by modified low-density lipoprotein in HUVECs

Background and Aim: The oxidative modifications of tow-density lipoprotein (LDL) are crucial for the atherosclerosis process. The aim of this study was to determine if the minimally modified LDL, obtained after the ingestion of three different diets, produce differential effects on the vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and E-selectin expression in human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods and Results: Twenty healthy young mates were exposed to three dietary periods. Each period lasted four weeks. During the first period, all subjects consumed a saturated fat (SFA) enriched diet (38% fat, 20% SFA). The second and third dietary periods were administered following a randomized crossover design: a tow fat high carbohydrates diet (CHO diet) and a Mediterranean diet. LDL particles, isolated during each dietary period, were oxidized by exposure to UV light and incubated for 48 h with HUVEC. Thereafter, 100 U/mL of TNF-alpha was added and incubation continued for 6 h. Cellular ELISA determined adhesion molecules expression. Lag time, propagation rate and total amounts of formed conjugated dienes CU2+. were calculated in LDL incubated with 10 mu mol/L Cu2+. When compared to the SFA diet, LDL isolated from the Mediterranean and CHO diets induced a tower expression of VCAM-1 and E-selectin in HUVECS (P < 0.007). There were no differences between both lipid lowering diets. However, tag time of LDL from the Mediterranean diet was higher than with the CHO diet (P < 0.042). This parameter was inversely correlated with E-selectin expression (r = -0.497; P < 0.04). Conclusion: Our results suggest that both the Mediterranean and CHO diets may decrease the pro-inflammatory environment induced by modified LDL in endothetiat cells. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.