Oral Presentation Joint Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of NZ and the Nutrition Society of Australia

Following a Mediterranean diet for 6 months reduces oxidative stress in older Australians: results from the MedLey study (368)

Karen J Murphy 1 , Courtney R Davis 1 , Janet Bryan 2 , Carlene Wilson 3 , Jonathan M Hodgson 4
  1. Alliance for Research in Exercise, Nutrition and Activity , University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
  2. School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy, University of South Australia, Magill, South Australia, Australia
  3. Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, School of Medicine, Flinders University , Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
  4. School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Background/Aims: The MedLey trial is a 6 month dietary intervention study comparing the effects of a traditional Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) with habitual diet on cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive performance in Australians aged 65 years and over. We aim to present the effect of a MedDiet versus a habitual diet (HabDiet) on an oxidative stress biomarker (F2-isoprostane; PGF2a). 

Methods: One hundred and fifty-two volunteers (mean age 71 ± 5 years) were randomly assigned to follow either a MedDiet (n=80) or continue their habitual diet (HabDiet; n=72) (control) for 6 months. Plasma PGF2a was measured by GC-MS at baseline and 3 and 6 months. Data were analysed using a linear mixed effects model with age and gender as covariates.

Results: One hundred and thirty-seven volunteers completed the trial (n=70 MedDiet, n=67 HabDiet). Mean plasma PGF2a values for the MedDiet group were 808.5±27.5, 729.3±26.7, 730.4±50.0 pmol/L, at baseline, 3 and 6 months, respectively. Mean plasma PGF2a values for the HabDiet group were 787.8±34.8, 805.9±32.9, 776.4±33.5 pmol/L, at baseline, 3 and 6 months, respectively. There was a significant change over time within the MedDiet group (P<0.0001, 95% CI 34.8,109.3) however, there was no significant difference over time for the HabDiet group, nor was there any difference between dietary group.

Conclusions: Following a traditional MedDiet for 6 months may help reduce oxidative stress in vivo in older Australians which may assist with healthy vascular function and cognitive ageing.

Funding source: NHMRC