Tomato paste supplementation improves endothelial dynamics and reduces plasma total oxidative status in healthy subjects

Nutr Res. 2012 May;32(5):390-4. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2012.03.011. Epub 2012 May 15.

Abstract

Consumption of tomato products is linked to beneficial outcomes through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. The aim of this study was to determine whether a 14-day period of tomato paste supplementation would improve endothelial function. Nineteen volunteers (mean age, 39 ± 13 years; 8 men/11 women) were studied in a randomized (exposure sequence), single-blind (operator), crossover design. The study consisted of a supplementation arm (70 g tomato paste containing 33.3 mg of lycopene) and a control arm, during which no tomato paste was added to their regular diet. Volunteers maintained their regular diet during study arms. Two-week washout periods preceded each arm. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) measured by brachial artery ultrasonography was used as an estimate of endothelial function at day 1 (acute response) and day 15 (midterm response). Plasma lipid peroxides were measured with a photometric enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as an index of total oxidative status. Tomato supplementation led to an overall FMD increase compared with the control period (P = .047 for repeated-measures 3 × 2 analysis of variance). At day 1, FMD was not significantly increased (P = .329). By day 15, tomato supplementation resulted in an increase in FMD by 3.3% ± 1.4%, whereas at the control arm, FMD declined by -0.5% ± 0.6% (P = .03); magnitudes of change are absolute FMD values. Total oxidative status decreased at the end of the supplementation period compared with baseline values (P = .038). Daily tomato paste consumption exerts a beneficial midterm but not short-term effect on endothelial function. Further studies are warranted to explore the effects of tomato paste on endothelial dilation in different age groups and comorbidities.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiology
  • Female
  • Fruit
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Plant Preparations / pharmacology*
  • Reference Values
  • Solanum lycopersicum*
  • Vascular Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Vascular Diseases / metabolism
  • Vasodilation / drug effects*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Plant Preparations