Fast-food Meal Increase’s Inflammatory Response Injuring Blood Vessel Linings

"The pro-inflammatory effect of glucose is stopped if right at the outset you give vitamins E and C."

In a series of studies designed to define the role of dietary macronutrients in the initiation of arterial inflammation that predisposes a person to atherosclerosis, University at Buffalo researchers have found that a high intake of glucose, or eating a high-fat, high-calorie, fast-food meal causes an increase in the blood's inflammatory components.

However, they also have shown that the antioxidant vitamins E and C can nullify this inflammatory response.

Results of the research were presented in San Francisco, California at the June 2002 annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association. "A meal high in calories and fat caused an increase in inflammatory markers that lasted 3-4 hours," said Paresh Dandona, MD, professor of medicine, head of the University of Buffalo School of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, and senior author on the studies.

"We think the influx of macronutrients may alter cell behavior and that genes are activated to produce more powerful enzymes and mediators that are potentially more damaging to the lining of blood vessels. Obese persons may have an ongoing abnormality of the white blood cells and the lining of blood vessels.

"On the other hand, we found that one way to render an 'unsafe' meal 'safe' is to include antioxidant vitamins," Dandona said. "The pro-inflammatory effect of glucose is stopped if right at the outset you give vitamins E and C."

The "meal" study was conducted with nine normal subjects who ate a 900-calorie breakfast - an egg-and-ham sandwich and hash browns from a fast-food restaurant - after an overnight fast. Blood samples were taken before eating and at 1, 2 and 3 hours after eating to determine the concentration of oxygen free radicals, which can begin the inflammation cascade by injuring blood vessel linings, and of several blood mediators of inflammation.

Results showed a mean increase of free radicals over baseline of 129%, 175% and 138% at the three sampling times, respectively. Levels of several pro-inflammatory indicators also increased significantly, while the level of a factor that inhibits inflammation was reduced.

Four additional studies further defined the pro-inflammatory cascade initiated by an influx of glucose alone and of an infusion of fatty acids. These studies also showed that both sugar and fat caused a reduction in the ability of vessels to expand and contract in response to changes in blood flow, actions crucial for maintaining healthy blood pressure and blood flow to vital organs.

In yet another study, eight subjects took 1200 I.U. of vitamin E and 500 mg of vitamin C before a glucose challenge, and on a subsequent occasion, took only glucose. Blood samples were taken before the challenges and at 1, 2, and 3 hours after.

Results showed that levels of oxygen free radicals and two pro-inflammatory markers increased when glucose was taken alone, but did not increase when accompanied by the two antioxidant vitamins. Source: Heart Disease Weekly

FACT: 

Undiagnosed diabetics have more than twice the risk of stroke as those who were never diagnosed with the disease. Diabetes Care 2002;25:1129-1134, 1142-1148.