Whole-Grain, Bran, and Cereal Fiber Intakes and Markers of Systemic Inflammation in Diabetic Women
- Lu Qi, MD, PHD12,
- Rob M. van Dam, PHD1,
- Simin Liu, MD, PHD5,
- Mary Franz, MS1,
- Christos Mantzoros, MD, PHD4 and
- Frank B. Hu, MD, PHD123
- 1Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- 2Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
- 3Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
- 4Division of Endocrinology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- 5Department of Epidemiology, University of California Los Angeles School of Public Health, Los Angeles, California
- Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Lu Qi, Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, 665 Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02115. E-mail address: nhlqi{at}channing.harvard.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE—To evaluate the dietary predictors for the markers of systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—We examined whether intakes of whole grains and dietary fiber were associated with inflammatory indicators among 902 diabetic women in the Nurses’ Health Study.
RESULTS—After adjustment for age, BMI, lifestyle, and dietary covariates, intakes of whole grains and bran were both associated with significantly decreasing trends of C-reactive protein (CRP) (P for trend = 0.03 and 0.007, respectively) and tumor necrosis factor-α receptor 2 (TNF-R2) (P for trend = 0.017 and 0.06). High intake of cereal fiber was also inversely associated with the lower levels of CRP (P for trend = 0.03) and TNF-R2 (P for trend = 0.01). The concentrations of CRP and TNF-R2 were 18 and 8% lower in the highest quintile of cereal fiber as compared with the lowest quintile. Dietary glycemic index was positively associated with CRP (P for trend = 0.04) and TNF-R2 (P for trend = 0.0008) levels. The concentrations of CRP and TNF-R2 were 32 and 11% higher, respectively, in the highest quintile of dietary glycemic index as compared with the lowest quintile.
CONCLUSIONS—Our data indicate that whole grains and a low-glycemic index diet may reduce systemic inflammation among women with type 2 diabetes.
- CRP, C-reactive protein
- ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
- ICAM, intracellular cell adhesion molecule
- TNF-R2, tumor necrosis factor-α receptor 2
Footnotes
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A table elsewhere in this issue shows conventional and Système International (SI) units and conversion factors for many substances.
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- Accepted November 11, 2005.
- Received October 6, 2005.
- DIABETES CARE
