Two Eggs per Day Increase Plasma Lutein and Zeaxanthin in a Pediatric Population Characterized by Low Intake of Fruits and Vegetables.

Aims: Eggs are a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin, carotenoids known for their antioxidant properties. Mexican children have been shown to consume limited amounts of fruit and vegetables. The purpose of the current study is to determine whether the inclusion of eggs in the diet increases plasma carotenoids in this population. Study Design: This study is a follow up on the effects of high egg intake on plasma lipids and atherogenic lipoproteins in children. Fifty four Mexican children (25 boys/29 girls) aged 8-12 y were randomly assigned to consume either 2 eggs/d (518 mg additional dietary cholesterol) (EGG period) or the equivalent amount of egg whites (SUB Period) in a cross-over design for 4 wk. After a 3 wk washout, children were crossed over to the alternate treatment. Methodology: 3-day dietary records, plasma carotenoids and apolipoproteins were measured at the end of the EGG and SUB Periods. Results: In agreement with the lack of effects of eggs in increasing atherogenic lipoprotein profiles, plasma apolipoprotein B concentrations did not change between periods indicating that increases in plasma cholesterol were not associated with higher number of LDL particles. Although the values for apo C-III were high compared to other pediatric populations, they were not affected by egg intake. Dietary records indicated low intake of carotenoids, especially during the SUB period. Plasma lutein and zeaxanthin were increased during the EGG period from 0.235 ± 0.071 to 0.280 ± 0.147 μmol/L (P<0.001) and 0.044 ± 0.019 to 0.051 ± 0.031 μmol/L (P<0.001), respectively. Conclusions: These results suggest that the eggs are a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin in this population and that the increases in LDL size during the egg period may also be related to a better transport of these carotenoids in plasma.

Detección de Chlamydia pneumoniae en lesiones ateroscleróticas asociadas a infarto miocárdio agudo / Detection of Chlamydia pneumoniae in atherosclerotic lesions involved in acute myocardial infarction

OBJETIVOS: Determinar la asociación entre Chlamydia pneumoniae y la aterosclerosis de arterias implicadas en el infarto miocárdico agudo. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de sujetos de 70 años de edad o menos, cuya causa de muerte fue infarto miocárdico agudo (casos), y sujetos fallecidos por otra causa (controles), necropsiados 12 a 48 horas después del deceso. La detección de C. pneumoniae en la placa aterosclerótica se realizó con inmunohistoquímica. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó 35 sujetos, de los cuales 30 eran varones. El número de casos de infarto miocárdico fue 13 y el número de controles 22. La proporción de especímenes positivos fue más alto en los casos, 69,2 por ciento, que en los controles, 22,7 por ciento (OR 4,8; 95 por ciento intervalo de confianza [IC] 0,9-24,6, p =0,061). Chlamydia pneumoniae fue encontrado en 21 por ciento de los casos de aterosclerosis leve y 62,5 por ciento en lesiones moderadas y severas (OR 3,8; IC 0,7-21,8, p =0,129). CONCLUSIONES: Se encontró una asociación positiva entre C. pneumoniae e infarto miocárdico agudo. Estos hallazgos sugieren que la C. pneumoniae estaría implicada en la inestabilidad de la placa aterosclerótica.