Abstract
Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered to be an important risk factor in the atherogenic progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aims of our study were to evaluate the preventive effects of food factors on atherosclerotic diseases. In an in vitro study, we demonstrated that the catechin group as well as vitamin C or uric acid regenerated vitamin E from vitamin E radicals, and that the antioxidant activities of vegetables or soybeans depended on their polyphenol contents. Single-dose studies in healthy volunteers indicated inhibitory effects of chocolate or green tea against LDL oxidation ex vivo. We also demonstrated that daily consumption of green tea may have potent antiatherogenic effects such as anti-inflammatory actions, as well as antioxidant effects in vivo, and that green tea intake is inversely associated with the incidence of myocardial infarction in Japanese patients who undergo coronary angiography for suspected CAD. Green tea intake may be protective against MI, especially in patients with gene polymorphism related to the prevalence of CAD. These results suggest that ordinary intake of antioxidant foods may be useful for preventing atherosclerotic diseases.
