Effects of Tomato Sauce on Endothelial Dysfunction Induced by a High Fat Meal in Healthy Subjects

Several epidemiological and intervention studies suggest that a high dietary intake of tomatoes is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), while, low intake is associated with an increased incidence of CVD. This beneficial effects have been attributed especially to lycopene, an antioxidant present in high concentration within tomatoes but other substances could be of importance.

Endothelial dysfunction is an early marker of atherosclerosis leading to CVD. The aim of the present study is therefore to investigate whether consumption of tomato products ameliorates peripheral endothelial function, triggered by a high fat meal, in human volunteers in a randomised, crossover dietary intervention study.

Study design:

Investigators are randomising healthy men (N=14-28) to consume a high fat meal either with or without tomato sauce (80 gr) in a cross-over design with a 7 days wash-out period. During the week before the study all the subjects will be maintained in a low fibers diet and only subjects randomized to tomatoes will receive a daily dose of 80 mg of tomato sauce (80 gr for 7 days= total load 560 mg).

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy men,
• without overt risk factors for CVD (see exclusion criteria);
• age range 28 ±10 years;
• BMI between 19-27 Kg/m2

Exclusion criteria

• Previous cardiovascular events, kidney failure (serum creatinine ≥1,5 mg/dl), arterial blood pressure ≥140/90mmHg or diagnosed hypertension; chronic inflammatory or neoplastic diseases, diabetes mellitus or impaired fasting glucose (glucose ≥110 mg/dL), hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol ≥240 mg/dl or anti-lipemic medication use), current smoking, antihypertensive medications; use of antioxidant drugs or NSAIDs or COXIBs; food allergy to tomato or other components of the high fat diet.