Correlation Between Dietary Factors And Carotid Atherosclerosis

Objective: 1.To determine the relationship between dietary factors and carotid atherosclerosis in the Changzhi area of China.In addition,to investigate the dietary factors that do affect carotid atherosclerosis in that area.2.To evaluate the ability of dietary intervention to both prevent and treat carotid atherosclerosis.Methods: 1.Studies on correlations between dietary factors and atherosclerosis Study population: Participants were selected for the study from patients who had undergone physical exams in clinical departments between January and October in 2015.Based on the results of Carotid Artery Color Doppler Ultrasound(CACDU),patients with carotid atherosclerosis(CAS group,n=273)and healthy persons(control group,n=308)were enrolled in this study.(2)Determination of health history: a questionnaire was used to collect general information(including age,gender,smoking history and drinking history),blood pressure(BP),and body mass index(BMI).(3)Blood lipid measurement: Fasting venous blood was drawn for measurement of markers relevant to cardiovascular disease,including total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-c),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c)and blood glucose(GLU).(4)Measurement of carotid artery thickness: Carotid ultrasound was used to measure the Carotid Intima-media Thickness(IMT),and the areas and numbers of plaque in patients with bilateral carotid and carotid bulb.(5)Determination of food intake:The Semi Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire(SQFFQ)was used to determine the intake of all kinds of food and nutrients for nearly 3 months.(6)Statistical analysis: The SPSS18.0 statistical software was used to analyze the data.A P value that was less than the significance level ? in a significance test(P<0.05),was assumed to indicate a statistically significant difference between two groups.2.Studies on the preventive and therapeutic effects of dietary intervention on carotid atherosclerosis(1)Assignment of patients to treatment groups in clinical studies: According to the classification of their carotid atherosclerosis plaque score,and based on informed content,the carotid atherosclerosis patients were divided into the following two groups: a dietary intervention + drug intervention group(DI group,n = 139)and a drug intervention only group(control group,n = 110).(2)Treatments: For drug intervention,members of both groups received both aspirin enteric-coated tablets and atorvastatin calcium tablets.According to the results of the first study,the subjects in DI group were provided a dietary intervention program.The subjects in the DI group could apply the intervention program into real life and guide their daily diets by receiving specialized individual guidance and food molds.At time points of 3 months and 6 months after the start of dietary intervention,the actual dietary intake was recorded using a 3-day dietary retrospect.(3)Measurement of carotid thickness: The change of the carotid artery intima media thickness was observed and the areas and numbers of plaque were measured by CACDU in both the DI group and the control group after 3 months and 6 months of dietary intervention.At the same times,the physical examination indexes and blood biochemistry indexes were reviewed.(4)Statistical analysis: The SPSS18.0 statistical software was used to analyze the data.A P value that was less than the significance level ? in a test of significance(P<0.05)was assumed to indicate a statistically significant difference between the two groups.Results:1.Analysis of correlations between dietary factors and atherosclerosis(1)There was no statistical difference in the general index(including gender,age,smoking history and drinking history),physical examination index(including weight,BMI,SBP and DBP)and blood biochemical index(GLU)between the CAS group and the control group.(2)TG,TC and LDL-c levels in the CAS group were significantly higher than those in the control group;however,there was no statistical difference between the two groups in HDL-c and GLU.(3)The staple food,meat,edible oil,and salt intake were significantly higher in the CAS group than in the control group,and the vegetable,milk and milk product,poultry product and aquatic product intake were significantly lower in the CAS group than in the control group.(4)The total energy and carbohydrate intake in the CAS group were significantly higher than those in the control group,and there were no difference in protein and fat intake between the CAS group and the control group;however,saturated fatty acid intake in the CAS group was significantly higher than in the control group,and monounsaturated fatty acid intake in the CAS group were significantly lower.(5)Logistic regression analysis showed that there was a negative correlation between the intake of vitamins C and K and the incidence of carotid atherosclerosis;however,for sodium intake there was a significantly positive correlation.2.Preventive and therapeutic effects of dietary intervention on carotid atherosclerosis(1)After dietary intervention for 3 months,weight,SBP,TG and LDL-c levels in the DI group were significantly lower than those in control group.After dietary intervention for 6 months,weight,BMI,SBP,TG,TC,LDL-c and GLU levels in the DI group were significantly lower than those in the control group.(2)After dietary intervention for 3 months,the areas of plaque in the DI group were all significantly smaller than those in the control group.After dietary intervention for 3 months,the IMT,the areas of plaque and the mean number of plaques in DI group were all significantly lower than those in the control group.Conclusion: The studies identified dietary vitamin C and vitamin K as being protective factors for carotid atherosclerosis,and sodium as being a risk factor.Dietary intervention can play a positive role in the prevention and treatment of carotid atherosclerosis.