Jesper Hallund

The effect of farmed trout on cardiovascular risk markers in healthy men

Increased intake of marine long-chain n-3 PUFA (n-3 LCPUFA) may decrease the risk of CVD and reduce mortality by lowering serum TAG and blood pressure (BP). Furthermore, n-3 LCPUFA may affect novel CVD risk markers related to inflammation and vascular function. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of farmed trout on novel and traditional CVD risk markers in healthy men, and to evaluate whether this was affected by the aquacultural feed regime. We performed a parallel, 8-week intervention study in which sixty-eight healthy male volunteers were randomised to consume either a daily meal with 150 g farmed trout raised on either marine or vegetable-based feed, or a reference meal containing 150 g chicken. Twenty-four hour BP, pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, fatty acid composition of erythrocyte (RBC), and concentrations of TAG, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and other markers of inflammation were measured at weeks 0 and 8. RBC content of total n-3 LCPUFA, both EPA and DHA, was significantly higher among men consuming trout raised on marine feed compared with men consuming the vegetable-fed trout or chicken. The three intervention groups did not differ significantly with respect to any of the other outcome variables, although there were trends towards associations between the changes in RBC n-3 LCPUFA and those in BP and CRP. In the present study, we conclude that we could not confirm the fish oil-induced reduction in CVD risk markers after daily consumption of trout with high or low n-3 LCPUFA content. However, trout raised on vegetable-based feed had less pronounced impact on RBC n-3 LCPUFA status.

Evidence for associations between common polymorphisms of estrogen receptor beta gene with homocysteine and nitric oxide.

Background Homocysteine and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) affect nitric oxide (NO) concentration, thereby contributing to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Both amino acids can be reduced in vivo by estrogen. Variation in the estrogen receptor (ER) may influence homocysteine and ADMA, yet no information is available on associations with single nucleotide polymorphisms in the estrogen receptor genes ERα (PvuII and XbaI) and ERβ (1730G→A and cx + 56 G→A). Objective To find relationships between common polymorphisms associated with cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular risk factors homocysteine and ADMA. Methods In a cross-sectional study with healthy postmenopausal women (n = 89), homocysteine, ADMA, nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), plasma folate and ERα and β polymorphisms ERα PvuII, ERα XbaI; ERβ 1730G→A (AluI), ERβ cx + 56 G→A (Tsp509I) were analyzed. Results Women who are homozygotic for ERβcx + 56 G→A A/A exhibited higher homocysteine (p = 0.012) and NOx (p = 0.056) levels than wildtype or heterozygotes. NOx concentration was also significantly affected by ERβ 1730 G →A polymorphism (p = 0.025). The ERβ (p < 0.001) and ERα (p < 0.001) polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium. Conclusions Women who are homozygotic for ERβcx + 56 G→A A/A may be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease due to higher homocysteine levels.

The acceptability of isoflavones as a treatment of menopausal symptoms: a European survey among postmenopausal women

Objective To investigate determinants of the acceptability of isoflavone products among postmenopausal women with regard to social and lifestyle factors, dietary habits, health concerns, food beliefs, menopausal symptoms and therapies, and to elucidate preferences for specific products. Methods A consumer survey was conducted among postmenopausal women in four European countries (Germany, Denmark, Italy and the UK), including a total of 465 respondents. Results The declared acceptability of isoflavones was highest in Germany (80%), followed by Italy (75%), the UK (59%) and Denmark (55%; p < 0.001). Among other factors, prior information about isoflavones (odds ratio (OR) 2.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.54–4.51, p < 0.001) and belief that foods can be used to treat medical conditions (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.17–4.05, p = 0.014) were the strongest predictors of potential acceptability. The preferred forms in which isoflavones might be taken differed markedly between countries. Conclusions Information about the health effects of isoflavones and health–diet links should be considered the most important factors in attempts to influence the potential acceptability of isoflavone products. Foods enriched with isoflavones need to be developed with regard to specific cultural demands in order to assure consumer acceptance on the marketplace.