332 4 .P.171
Thursday 9 October 1997: Posters Nutrition /diet (and bioactive components offood) Margarines containing trans fatty acids or zero trans: Differential effects on plasma lipids
M . Noakes, P.M . Clifton . CSIRO Division of Human Nutrition, Adelaide, South Australia Objective: To establish whether margarines consisting of polyunsaturated or monounsaturated oils plus a trans free hard fraction achieved through interesterification are at least as effective in their lipid lowering effects when compared to butterfat as those containing a partially hydrogenated hard fraction . Design : Two dietary intervention trials each with identical crossover design . Subjects: 17 women and 21 men, mildly hyperlipidaemic, selected by advertisement. Main outcome measures : Fasting plasma lipids on a low fat diet (25% fat energy), margarines and butter diets (35% fat energy) . Results : Plasma LDL cholesterol levels after the margarine diets and the low fat diet were similar, but all were 11-15% lower compared to butter (P < 0 .001). Whereas the monounsaturated margarines did not differ from each other, the polyunsaturated margarines without trans resulted in a 6% reduction (0 .25 mmol/L, 95% Cl +0 .08 to +0 .42 mmol/L)-in total and LDL cholesterol concentration compared to the blend containing trans (P = 0 .006) . This observation could not be explained on the basis of changes in fatty acid profile of the margarines . Conclusion : When compared to butter, diets containing zero trans margarines may be equal or more effective in lowering LDL cholesterol relative to those containing trans fatty acids. All margarine diets were as effective as a low fat diet .
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The alpha and gamma tocopherol levels in serum depend on the dietary fat quality
M . Ohrvall, I .-B . Gustafsson, M. Nydahl, B . Vessby. The Unit for Clinical Nutrition Research, Dept of Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden Low levels of alpha tocopherol in serum are thought to facilitate lipid oxidation and increase the risk for coronary heart disease (CHD), but reduced levels of alpha tocopherol are not generally found in CHD patients . Low levels of gamma tocopherol were, however, found in patients with manifest CHD with a ratio between alfa and gamma tocopherol significantly higher than in healthy controls . We have performed several controlled, isoenergetic studies where the dietary fat quality has been changed, but where other nutrients were kept identical, in order to investigate the effects on the serum tocopherol levels of such a change . When switching from a diet rich in rape seed oil to one containing sunflower oil (and a high proportion of linoleic acid) the alpha tocopherol levels increased while gamma tocopherol decreased with a higher ratio between alpha and gamma tocopherol, while a switch to a diet containing a high proportion of olive oil was accompanied by reductions of the alpha tocopherol levels . A diet rich in butter fat was, when compared with a rape seed oil based diet, associated with significant reductions of both alpha and gamma tocopherols with a pronounced increase of the ratio between alpha and gamma tocopherol resulting in a pattern similar to that seen in CHD patients . The possible importance of the diverging tocopherol levels in relation to CHD risk is, however, not possible to determine based on the present studies .
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Pleurotus ostreatus - effective hypolipidaemic agent
D. Pella, R . Rybar. 2nd internal clinic, Faculty hospital, Kosice, Slovakia The authors investigated hypolipidaemic effects of the mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus - truffle - within a group of 30 patients with hyperlipidaemia and concomitant coronary heart disease. They administered dried Pleurotus ostreatus in tablet form (registered in Slovakia like dietetic agent) - dosage of 10 grams daily during one month period . Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoproteins A and B levels were determined before and after treatment, statisticaly significant 26 .2% reduction of triglycerides and not significant 8.6% reduction of total cholesterol were found. No adverse events were observed, only mild dyspeptic problems were reported, disappearing after lowering the dose. Pleurotus ostreatus is composed from many bioactive components including great ammount of fibre, nonsaturated fatty acids, minerals and vitamins . Their conclucion is that Pleurotus ostreatus is completely satisfactory for lipid lowering diet.
4.P.174
Relationships between macronutrient intakes, physical disability and cognitive impairment in a randomized, elderly population
F. Panza, V. Solfrizzi, A . Grassi, F. Torres, F . Mastroianni, A.M . Colacicco, A . Venezia, C . Capurso, M.R. Pirozzi, A . Capurso . Department of Geriatrics, Centre for Aging Brain, Istituto di Medicina Clinica, Policlinico, Piazza G . Cesare, 11-70124, Bari, Italy Purpose of the Study : The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between cognitive decline, functional impairments and macronutrient intakes . We evaluated 278 subjects (M 123, F 145) (age 74 ± 4 ; education level 6 ± 4 years) . This sample was 39 .5% of the randomized population (704 elderly subjects) of a little, rural town in South Italy (Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging - ILSA by Italian National Council of Research). Materials and Methods : Caloric intake of macronutrient and physical functional status were assessed, respectively, with a Semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (carbohydrates, protein, SFA, MUFA and PUFA, fibers and alcohol) and with Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) . Cognitive functions were evaluated with Mini Mental State Examination (global cognitive functions) (MMSE), Digit Cancellation Test (selective attention) and Babcock Story Recall Test (episodic memory). Results and Discussion : The statistical analysis was performed by Principal Components Analysis, Cronbach's a (internal consistency) and with univariate and multivariate logistic regression models . The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 . Principal Components Analysis showed that nutritional, functional and cognitive variables were relatively independent from each other, except the principal component composed by ADL, IADL and alcohol (Cronbach's a = 0 .10): between these three variables there was a negative correlation, i.e . alcohol intake was associated with a worsening in functional parameters . The univariate logistic regression model showed that only MUFA were associated with a reduction of odds ratio of cognitive decline (MMSE < 24) (logistic regression coefficient = -0 .0024 ; odds ratio 0 .9976, p < 0 .032) . In a multivariate logistic regression model we introduced confounding variables for the diagnosis of cognitive decline, such as age, gender and level of education . In fact, in subjects with a level of education below 5 years, MUFA intake lost his importance as protective factor for cognitive decline in old age . Acknowledgements : Partially supported by Italian National Council of Research - Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging, Grant 9400419PF40, by MURST 40% and by Progetto Mezzogiorno - Sottoprogetto Dieta Mediterranea .
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Triosephosphates as possible bioactive predecessors of atherosclerosis
VG. Petushok, M .V. Kazhyna, R .V Trebukhina, V.U . Buko. Institute of Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences, Grodno Medical Institute, Grodno, Belarus Treatment of atherosclerosis and hypertension by vitamins is based on lypotropic effects of thiamindiphosphate (cocarboxilase) . The disturbances in carbohydrates metabolism (on triosephosphate level) play an important role in development of atherosclerosis . The deficiency of thiamine pool in the organism is accompanied with exhausted activity of ThDPh-dependant enzymes (transketolase, pyruvate dehydrogenase) . The incorporation of the isotopic label to triosephosphates occurs more extensively . (Lukashik N .K ., 1985) . We examined the content of triosephosphates and fatty acids in liver of experimental animals (rats Wistar, weight 140 g) after administration of thiamine or oxythiamine. The administration of thiamine at the single dose of 400 mg/kg or at the daily dose of 12 .5 mg/kg subcutaneously within 10 days didn't change the activity of triosephosphate dehydrogenases . Under that condition the dihydroxyacetone level was decreased by 24% (p < 0 .01) . Correlation between fructosediphosphate aldolase and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase indicates that catabolism of triosephosphates in glycolyse is intensified . Administration of oxythiamine elevates the level of phosphodioxyacetone by 30% to the 12th day of daily subcutaneous injections of antimetabolite of thiamine at the dose of 12.5 mg/kg. Synthesis of fatty acids is intensified by 65% (p < 0 .001). Thus, oxythiamine intensifies the lypogenesis by means of more active utilisation of triosephosphates, whereas thiamin reveals its lypotropic effect limiting the participation of triosephosphates in lipid metabolism .
11th International Symposium on Atherosclerosis, Paris, October 1997