• HDL-C
• Hypermiatriglyceride
• LDL-C
• cholesterol
• phytochemical
• triglyceride

The hepatoprotective effects of phytochemicals are controversial. A dietary phytochemical index (DPI) has been suggested as an alternative method for quantifying the phytochemical content of foods.

To assess the DPI in relation to liver function tests among a representative sample of Iranian adults.

A total of 5111 participants aged 35-70 years old were included in this cross-sectional study by a multistage cluster random sampling method. Dietary intakes were collected by a validated and reliable food frequency questionnaire with 121 items. DPI was calculated by the percent of daily energy intake taken from phytochemical-rich foods. Fasting serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) were determined. Linear regression was used to investigate the association between DPI and levels of liver enzymes using crude and adjusted models.

There was an inverse association between DPI score and serum ALP in the crude model (β = -0.05; P < 0.001). This association remained significant after adjustment for body mass index, age, smoking, energy intake, history of diabetes, and education (β = -0.03; P = 0.01). No significant associations were found between DPI score and serum levels of AST, ALT, and GGT. The individuals with the highest DPI scores consumed significantly higher amounts of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and cereals, yet were shown to have significantly higher serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, as well as several other metabolic abnormalities.

Higher adherence to phytochemical-rich foods was associated with lower levels of ALP, but no change in other liver enzymes. Those with higher DPI scores also consumed food items associated with a healthier overall dietary pattern; however, they also presented several unexpected metabolic derangements. Additional randomised trials are needed to better determine the effects of phytochemical-rich foods on liver function.

• Diet
• Phytochemical
• Liver
• Dietary phytochemical index
• Dietary pattern
• Phytochemical index
• Iran
• Middle East
• Nutrition

• CETP Taq1B polymorphism
• T2DM
• dietary indices
• metabolic biomarkers

• DPI
• Dietary phytochemical index
• case-control
• diet quality
• dietry intakes
• epidemiologic study
• food frequency questionnaire
• stroke

Several studies have been carried out which mainly focus on the analysis of the lipid profile in vegetarians and nonvegetarians. However, few studies have been undertaken in this population oriented to quality of life and health. This study aimed to compare health-related quality of life, blood pressure, and biochemical and anthropometric profile in vegetarians and nonvegetarians. The study included 149 participants out of an initial sample of 162: 62 vegetarians and 87 nonvegetarians. Health-related quality of life was assessed with the SF-12 Health Questionnaire version 2 and was related with the lipid profile, glucose, blood pressure, anthropometric measures, and sociodemographic characteristics. Vegetarians presented better Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), as well as higher LDL levels. No significant differences in HDL and TG concentrations were found. Serum glucose concentrations were significantly lower among vegetarians. Nonvegetarian males had higher diastolic pressure levels. Vegetarian women had significantly higher levels of systolic pressure. As for the physical health and mental health components of quality of life, no significant differences were found in vegetarian and nonvegetarian women and men. In conclusion, vegetarians presented a better anthropometric profile, lower glycaemia, and higher LDL levels but no significant differences in health-related quality of life compared with nonvegetarians.

• Extracts
• Gene expression
• Maerua subcordata
• Nitric oxide
• Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ)

• diet
• ligand
• modulator
• peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α
• screening methods
• 筛选方法
• 调节剂
• 过氧化物酶体增殖物活化受体α
• 配体
• 饮食

• Animals
• Biological Products/metabolism
• Biological Products/pharmacology
• Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects
• High-Throughput Screening Assays/methods
• Humans
• Ligands
• PPAR alpha/agonists
• PPAR alpha/genetics
• PPAR alpha/metabolism
• Phytochemicals/metabolism
• Phytochemicals/pharmacology
• Protein Binding
• Two-Hybrid System Techniques

• Cholesterol
• Fruit and vegetables
• Phytochemical
• Triglyceride
• Whole Grains

High intakes of phytochemical-rich foods have favorable effects on the prevention of chronic diseases. In this study we assessed the dietary phytochemical index (PI) in relation to 3-year change in weight, waist circumference (WC), body adiposity index (BAI) among Tehranian adults.

This longitudinal study was conducted in the framework of Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study, between 2006–2008 and 2009–2011, on 1938 adults, aged 19–70 y. The usual intake of participants was measured at baseline using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and dietary PI was calculated. Anthropometric measures were assessed both at baseline and 3 years later. Multiple regression models were used to estimate mean difference changes in anthropometrics associated with various dietary PI.

The mean age of participants was 40.4 ± 13.0 y, at baseline, respectively. Mean weight gain was 1.49 ± 5.06 kg (1.65 ± 5.3 kg in men and 1.34 ± 4.9 kg in women) during 3-year period. After adjustment for potential confounding variables including age at baseline, sex, BMI, educational levels, smoking, physical activity, total energy intake, dietary intake of carbohydrate, fat and protein, dietary intakes of whole grains in the highest quartile category of PI were inversely associated with 3-year changes in weight and WC (P for trend <0.05). Dietary intake of fruits in the highest quartile was also associated with lower weight gain during the study period (P for trend <0.05). There was significant inverse association between the highest quartile category of dietary PI with the 3-year changes in weight and BAI (P for trend <0.05).

Higher dietary PI could have favorable effects on prevention of weight gain and reduction of body adiposity in adults.