Medical Bulletin 29/ April/ 2024

Here are the top medical news for the day:

Can Mediterranean diet lower hypertension risk?

In a study published in the journal European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers found that people who consistently followed a Mediterranean-style diet had a lower risk of developing (high blood pressure) than those with the lowest adherence to the diet.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hypertension affects nearly half of all adults, defined as having a blood pressure of 130/80 mm Hg or higher. Left untreated, it can lead to heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease. Apart from medications, diets like the Mediterranean diet, emphasizing plant-based foods, are recommended for hypertension management, including vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, healthy oils, and moderate fish consumption.

For the study, researchers from Harokopio University of Athens conducted a 20-year study from 2002 to 2022 to explore the benefits of adhering to the Mediterranean diet. Participants, averaging 41 years old at the study's onset, were assessed for various health parameters and dietary habits. Exclusions included hypertension and cardiovascular disease. A MedDietScore was assigned based on adherence to Mediterranean diet components like fruits, vegetables, fish, and olive oil. Follow-ups tracked changes in MedDietScore, vital signs, and incidences of hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

The study involved 1,415 participants, and those closely adhering to the Mediterranean diet had the lowest risk of developing hypertension. Those with the lowest MedDietScore had a hypertension rate of 35.5%, while the middle group had a rate of 22.5%. In contrast, the group with the highest MedDietScore had a rate of 8.7%. The researchers also analyzed longitudinal changes in diet adherence over the study period from 2002 to 2012.

The study results emphasized the importance of eating habits in reducing the risk of developing hypertension. It also showed that the Mediterranean diet can be instrumental in lowering hypertension risk.These include eating a diet rich in plant-based foods, healthier monounsaturated fats, lean meats, whole grains, beans, vegetables, and nuts. People should avoid foods that are highly processed, higher in saturated fat, and with high sodium.

Reference:Georgoulis, M., Damigou, E., Derdelakou, E. et al. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and 20-year incidence of hypertension: the ATTICA prospective epidemiological study (2002–2022). Eur J Clin Nutr (2024).

Can aspirin help prevent colorectal cancer development?

A new study published by Wiley online in CANCER revealed that long-term daily use of aspirin can aid in preventing the development and progression of colorectal cancer. The study suggested that aspirin may achieve this by enhancing specific aspects of the body's immune response against cancer cells.

Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the colon or rectum, typically beginning as a growth called a polyp. Aspirin may help prevent colorectal cancer by reducing inflammation and inhibiting the growth of polyps. Additionally, aspirin may enhance the body's immune response against cancer cells. Long-term daily use of aspirin has been associated with a lower risk of developing and progressing colorectal cancer, making it a potential preventive measure against this disease.

To investigate the effects of aspirin on colorectal cancer, researchers obtained tissue samples from 238 patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer in 2015–2019, 12% of whom were aspirin users.

Researchers discovered that tissue samples from aspirin users showed less cancer spread to lymph nodes and higher immune cell infiltration into tumors compared to non-users. In lab studies, aspirin exposure increased CD80 protein expression in immune cells, boosting their ability to alert other immune cells of tumor presence. Rectal cancer patients who used aspirin had higher CD80 expression in healthy rectal tissue, indicating a potential pro-immune surveillance effect of aspirin

“Our study shows a complementary mechanism of cancer prevention or therapy with aspirin besides its classical drug mechanism involving inhibition of inflammation. Aspirin is absorbed in the colon by passive diffusion to a significant degree. Its absorption is linear and depends on concentration along the bowel, and in the rectum, the concentration of orally administered aspirin can be much lower than in the rest of the colon. Thus, if we want to take advantage of its effects against colorectal cancer, we should think of how to guarantee that aspirin reaches the colorectal tract in adequate doses to be effective,” said principal investigator Marco Scarpa MD, PhD, of the University of Padova.

Reference:Marco Scarpa, MD, PhD, et al; IMMUNOREACT 7: Regular aspirin use is associated with immune surveillance activation in colorectal cancer; Journal: Cancer.

Can high zinc intake lower asthma risk in overweight kids?

In a recent study published in the World Allergy Organization Journal, researchers examined the relationship between asthma occurrence and intake of dietary zinc among children and adolescents overweight and obesity.

Childhood asthma is a significant respiratory issue globally, especially with rising rates among children and adolescents. This problem is compounded by the increasing prevalence of obesity in this age group, which worsens asthma symptoms and hampers treatment effectiveness. Recent studies have examined the impact of nutrients, notably zinc, on asthma management because of its role in regulating inflammation and oxidative stress. However, theresearch has provided inconsistent findings regarding the relationship between asthma and zinc intake.

The study utilized NHANES data spanning four survey cycles from 2011 to 2020 to explore the link between asthma and dietary zinc intake in overweight or obese adolescents and children. Asthma status was determined using participants' self-reported diagnosis history and recent asthma attacks. Dietary zinc intake was assessed through 24-hour dietary recall interviews and divided into quartiles.

The results revealed that 20.9% of the participants were diagnosed with asthma. After controlling for various factors, including demographics and dietary intake, a significant inverse relationship was found between dietary zinc intake and asthma.

The findings suggested that higher dietary zinc intake is associated with a reduced risk of asthma in the obese population, highlighting the potential role of zinc in mitigating asthma risk among children and adolescents. Additionally, it emphasized the importance of considering nutritional factors in asthma management and the need for further research on the therapeutic potential of zinc supplementation.

Reference:Association between dietary zinc intake and asthma in overweight or obese children and adolescents: a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES. Cheng, C., Lin, J., Zhang, Z., Zhang, L. World Allergy Organization Journal (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2024.100900,