Mediterranean Diet and Endothelial Function: A Review of its Effects at Different Vascular Bed Levels.
The Mediterranean diet has recently been the focus of considerable attention as a palatable model of a healthy diet. Its influence on many cardiovascular risk factors, combined with its proven effect in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events in primary prevention, has boosted scientific interest in this age-old nutritional model. Many of the underlying mechanisms behind its health-giving effects have been revealed, from the modulation of the microbiota to the function of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and it seems to deliver its health benefits mainly by regulating several key mechanisms of atherosclerosis. In this review, we will review the evidence for its regulation of endothelial function, a key element in the early and late stages of atherosclerosis. In addition, we will assess studies which evaluate its effects on the functioning of different arterial territory vessels (mainly the microvascular, peripheral and central vascular beds), focusing mainly on the capillary, brachial and carotid arteries. Finally, we will evaluate the molecular mechanisms which may be involved.
['Torres-Peña|Jose D|JD|0000-0003-1366-5549', 'Rangel-Zuñiga|Oriol A|OA|', 'Alcala-Diaz|Juan F|JF|', 'Lopez-Miranda|Jose|J|', 'Delgado-Lista|Javier|J|']
D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D050197:Atherosclerosis D001808:Blood Vessels D001916:Brachial Artery D002196:Capillaries D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases D002339:Carotid Arteries D038441:Diet, Mediterranean D004435:Eating D004730:Endothelium, Vascular D005260:Female D000082742:Heart Disease Risk Factors D006801:Humans D008297:Male D055806:Microvessels D008875:Middle Aged D017539:Tunica Intima D014664:Vasodilation
Mediterranean diet endothelial function cardiovascular disease