British Journal of Nutrition

Table of Contents - 2005 - Volume 93, Issue 01  

Horizons in nutritional science

Plasma cytokine response during the postprandial period: a potential causal process in vascular disease?

Graham C. Burdgea1 c1 and Philip C. Caldera1

a1 Institute of Human Nutrition, Developmental Origins of Adult Health and Disease Division, Biomedical Sciences Building (62), University of Southampton, Bassett Crescent East, Southampton, SO16 7PX, UK

Abstract

Chronic inflammation of the vascular endothelium produces endothelial dysfunction and ultimately atherogenesis. Postprandial hyperlipidaemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Recent studies show that the magnitude of postprandial lipaemia following a single fatty meal is negatively related to vascular function. This is associated with a transient increase in the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and soluble adhesion molecules and in pro-oxidant activity. One possible interpretation is that repeated exposure of the blood vessel wall to the activities of pro-inflammatory cytokines and pro-oxidants may damage the vascular endothelium and promote atherogenesis. Based on these results, we propose a model of a causal mechanism to explain how consumption of a fatty meal may impair vascular dysfunction.

(Received August 16 2004)

(Revised August 18 2004)

(Accepted August 18 2004)

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Correspondence:

c1 *Corresponding author: Dr G. C. Burdge, fax +44 2380 594379, email g.c.burdge@soton.ac.uk