Summary
The relationship between diet, serum lipoproteins, and the progression of coronary lesions was studied in 39 patients with stable angina pectoris in whom coronary arteriography had shown at least 1 vessel with 50% obstruction before intervention. Intervention consisted of a 2-year vegetarian diet that had a ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids of at least 2.0, and that contained less than 100mg of cholesterol per day. Dietary changes were associated with a significant increase in linoleic acid content of cholesterol esters and a significant lowering of bodyweight, systolic blood pressure, serum total cholesterol, and the ratio of total to high density lipoprotein (total/HDL) cholesterol.
Angiographic examination was performed after 24 months; angiograms were assessed visually (with blinding) and by computer-assisted image analysis. Both types of assessment indicated progression of disease in 21 of 39 patients but no lesion growth in 18. Coronary lesion growth correlated with total/HDL cholesterol (r=0.50, p=0.001) but not with blood pressure, smoking status, alcohol intake, weight, or drug treatment. Disease progression was significant in patients who had values for total/HDL cholesterol that were higher than the median (>6.9) throughout the trial period. No coronary lesion growth was observed in patients who had lower values for total/HDL cholesterol (< 6.9) throughout the trial or who initially had higher values (> 6.9) that were significantly lowered by dietary intervention.
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References
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The following participated in the study: D. Kromhout, J.D. Barth, J.H.C. Reiber, A.V.G. Bruschke, B. Buis, C.M. van Gent, N. Kempen-Voogd, S. Strikwerda and E.A. van der Velde.
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Arntzenius, A.C. Diet, Lipoproteins and the Progression of Coronary Atherosclerosis. Drugs 31 (Suppl 1), 61–65 (1986). https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-198600311-00011
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00003495-198600311-00011