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Background: Oxidative stress and dyslipidemia play a critical role in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Regular intake of polyphenol-rich diets is associated with a reduced risk of CVDs., Methods: The present study was a pilot study with 24 healthy volunteers and was designed to determine if a 12-week administration of Cistus incanus herbal tea, containing phenolic acids and flavonoids, reduces cardiovascular risk factors including oxidative stress and dyslipidemia in healthy adults. Phenolic compounds profile and antibacterial activity of Cistus incanus infusion were also measured., Results: Herbal infusion led to improvement in lipid profile by increase (D4%, p = 0.033) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration and decrease triglyceride (D14%, p = 0.013) concentrations. In addition, the Cistus incanus diet was associated with decreased serum concentrations of malondialdehyde (D16%, p < 0.01) and advanced oxidation protein products (D18%, p < 0.001)., Conclusions: Cistus incanus administration decreases cardiovascular risk factors including oxidative stress and dyslipidemia and this action supports the idea of using Cistus incanus tea on a daily basis as an effective dietary component for prevention of atherosclerotic CVD.

Renalase is a recently identified flavoprotein oxidase, secreted mainly by the kidneys, which takes part in the degradation of catecholamines. The catecholamine inactivating effect results in the modulation of the sympathetic system tension and, consequently, in a decrease of blood pressure, myocardial contractility, heart rate, and vascular tone. Besides its enzymatic capacity, renalase shows cytoprotective properties by activating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the renalase gene have been identified, of which the most widely studied in relation to the development of selected diseases are rs2296545, rs10887800, and rs2576178. Numerous publications prove the contribution of renalase to the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, kidney diseases, ischaemic stroke, diabetes type 1 and 2, as well as female infertility and schizophrenia. Further extended research into the various mechanisms of renalase activity may result in the use of this oxidase or its analogues as a therapeutic and/or diagnostic tool.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of a vegan diet on the serum lipid profile with particular regard to the parameters characterizing the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) fractions in subjects without subclinical atherosclerosis, measured by carotid Doppler ultrasonography., Methods and Results: Forty-two 23 to 38 year old subjects (21 omnivores and 21 vegans) participated in the study. Compared to the omnivores, the vegan subjects were characterized by lower parameters of lipid profile: total cholesterol (p < 0.001), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol (p < 0.001), non-HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001), apolipoprotein B (apoB) (p < 0.001) and phospholipids (p < 0.01). Concentration of HDL-cholesterol was apparently similar between groups. Furthermore, the parameters which characterize HDL particles (con-centration of apolipoproteins AI [apoAI] and AII, HDL-phospholipids, LpAI fraction and pre-b1-HDL fraction) were not significantly different between omnivore and vegan subjects. The apoB/apoAI ratio in vegans was lower than in omnivores (p < 0.01). There was no difference between serum concentration of triacylglycerols between omnivores and vegans. The activity of paraoxonase-1 and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2a concentration were also not different between the study groups., Conclusions: We suggest that a vegan diet may have a beneficial effect on serum lipid profile and cardiovascular protection, but it is not associated with changes in HDL composition.