Enhancing Endothelial Function with Nutrient-Enriched Table Hen Eggs: A Randomized Study in Patients Recovering from Acute Coronary Syndrome

Abstract

Ana Marija Masle,1– 3 Aleksandar Kibel,3– 6 Ivana Jukić,3,4 Petra Čičak,2,7 Kristina Selthofer-Relatić,3,5,8 Ana Stupin,3,4 Zrinka Mihaljević,3,4 Petar Šušnjara,3,4 Željka Breškić Ćurić,3,9 Tatjana Bačun,10,11 Ines Drenjančević3,4 1Department of Rheumatology, Clinical Immunology and Allergology, University Hospital Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 2Faculty of Medicine Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 3Scientific Center of Excellence for Personalized Health Care, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 4Department of Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 5Department of Heart and Vascular Diseases, University Hospital Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 6Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 7Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 8Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 9Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital Vinkovci, Vinkovci, Croatia; 10Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Osijek, Osijek, Croatia; 11Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, CroatiaCorrespondence: Ines Drenjančević, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, Osijek, HR-31000, Croatia, Tel [phone], Email [email protected] Aleksandar Kibel, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek, J. Huttlera 4, Osijek, HR-31000, Croatia, Tel [phone], Email [email protected]: This study investigated the effect of consumption of table eggs enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), lutein, vitamin E and selenium on microvascular function, oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS).Patients and Methods: In a prospective, randomized, interventional, double-blind clinical trial, ACS patients were assigned to either the Nutri4 (N=15, mean age: 57.2 ± 9.2 years), or the Control group (N=13; mean age 56.8 ± 9.6 years). The Nutri4 group consumed three enriched hen eggs daily for three weeks, providing approximately 1.785 mg of vitamin E, 0.330 mg of lutein, 0.054 mg of selenium and 438 mg of n-3 PUFAs. Biochemical parameters, including serum lipids, liver enzymes, nutrient concentrations, serum antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD)), and markers of oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and ferric reducing ability (FRAP)), were assessed before and after the dietary interventions. Additionally, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, body composition, fluid status, anthropometric measurements, and skin microvascular blood flow responses to various stimuli (postocclusive reactive hyperemia (PORH), acetylcholine- (Ach ID), and sodium nitroprusside- (SNP ID)) were measured using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) throughout the study.Results: The intake of Nutri4 eggs led to a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol levels, while the levels of total cholesterol remained within the established reference values. Consuming Nutri4 eggs resulted in a 12.7% increase in serum vitamin E levels, an 8.6% increase in selenium levels, and demonstrated a favorable impact on microvascular reactivity, as evidenced by markedly improved PORH and ACh ID. Nutri4 eggs exerted a significant influence on the activity of GPx and SOD, with no observed changes in TBARS or FRAP values.Conclusion: The consumption of Nutri4 eggs positively influenced microvascular function in individuals with ACS, without eliciting adverse effects on oxidative stress.Keywords: acute coronary syndrome, microvascular function, n-3 PUFA, lutein, selenium, vitamin E

Keywords

• acute coronary syndrome
• microvascular function
• n-3 pufa
• lutein
• selenium
• vitamin e