human
***TASK*** the task is to summarize an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***INPUT*** the input is a biomedical literature 
    ***OUTPUT*** the output is the summary of an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***DOCUMENTATION*** 
    ***EXAMPLES*** 
    Input: Background —Carotenoids are hypothesized to explain some of the protective effects of fruit and vegetable intake on risk of cardiovascular disease . The present study assessed the protective effects of the oxygenated carotenoid lutein against early atherosclerosis . Methods and Results —Epidemiology : Progression of intima-media thickness ( IMT ) of the common carotid arteries over 18 months was determined ultrasonographically and was related to plasma lutein among a r and omly sample d cohort of utility employees age 40 to 60 years ( n=480 ) . Coculture : The impact of lutein on monocyte response to artery wall cell modification of LDL was assessed in vitro by quantification of monocyte migration in a coculture model of human intima . Mouse models : The impact of lutein supplementation on atherosclerotic lesion formation was assessed in vivo by assigning apoE-null mice to chow or chow plus lutein ( 0.2 % by weight ) and LDL receptor-null mice to Western diet or Western diet plus lutein .  IMT progression declined with increasing quintile of plasma lutein ( P for trend=0.007 , age-adjusted;P = 0.0007 , multivariate ) . Covariate-adjusted IMT progression ( mean±SEM ) was 0.021±0.005 mm in the lowest quintile of plasma lutein , whereas progression was blocked in the highest quintile ( 0.004±0.005 mm;P = 0.01 ) . In the coculture , pretreatment of cells with lutein inhibited LDL-induced migration in a dose-dependent manner ( P < 0.05 ) . Finally , in the mouse models , lutein supplementation reduced lesion size 44 % in apoE-null mice ( P = 0.009 ) and 43 % in LDL receptor-null mice ( P = 0.02 ) . Conclusions —These epidemiological , in vitro , and mouse model findings support the hypothesis that increased dietary intake of lutein is protective against the development of early atherosclerosis Many male birds use carotenoid pigments to acquire brilliant colors that advertise their health and condition to prospect i ve mates . The direct means by which the most colorful males achieve superior health has been debated , however . One hypothesis , based on studies of carotenoids as antioxidants in humans and other animals , is that carotenoids directly boost the immune system of colorful birds . We studied the relationship between carotenoid pigments , immune function , and sexual coloration in zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata ) , a species in which males incorporate carotenoid pigments into their beak to attract mates . We tested the hypotheses that increased dietary carotenoid intake enhances immunocompetence in male zebra finches and that levels of carotenoids circulating in blood , which also determine beak coloration , directly predict the immune response of individuals . We experimentally supplemented captive finches  with two common dietary carotenoid pigments ( lutein and zeaxanthin ) and measured cell-mediated and humoral immunity a month later . Supplemented males showed elevated blood-carotenoid levels , brighter beak coloration , and increased cell-mediated and humoral immune responses than did controls . Cell-mediated responses were predicted directly by changes in beak color and plasma carotenoid concentration of individual birds . These experimental findings suggest that carotenoid-based color signals in birds may directly signal male health via the immunostimulatory action of ingested and circulated carotenoid pigments Antioxidants , particularly carotenoids and tocopherols , may protect against cardiovascular disease . The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary and adipose tissue carotenoids and tocopherols are associated with the risk of myocardial infa rct ion ( MI ) . Cases ( n = 1456 ) of a first acute MI were identified and matched by age , sex , and residence to r and omly selected population controls ( n = 1456 ) living in Costa Rica .  Carotenoids and tocopherols were measured in adipose tissue using HPLC .  Dietary intake was assessed using a vali date d FFQ . Anthropometrical and lifestyle data were collected using an interviewer-administered question naire . Subjects were distributed into quintiles of intake or adipose tissue concentration of carotenoids or tocopherols . The lowest quintile was used as the referent in conditional logistic regression analyses . Adipose tissue beta-carotene showed a significant inverse relation with MI risk ; the odds ratio ( OR ) comparing the highest to the lowest quintile was 0.70 ( 95 % CI : 0.51 - 0.96 , P for trend = 0.02 ) . Intake of fruits and vegetables that are rich in beta-carotene was also inversely associated with the risk of MI ( OR = 0.74 ; CI : 0.54 - 1.01 , P for trend = 0.09 ) . In contrast , lutein + zeaxanthin in adipose tissue ( OR = 1.46 ; CI : 1.05 - 2.05 , P for trend = 0.02 ) and diet ( OR = 1.18 ; CI : 0.88 - 1.57 , P for trend = 0.02 ) was positively associated with MI risk . MI risk was not associated with any of the other carotenoids or tocopherols in the diet or adipose tissue . Thus , the inverse association between beta-carotene and MI risk suggests that beta-carotene protects against MI or it is a marker of some protective factor in foods containing beta-carotene . The mechanism underlying the positive association between lutein + zeaxanthin and the risk of MI warrants investigation BACKGROUND Epidemiologic evidence suggests that serum carotenoids are potent antioxidants and may play a protective role in the development of chronic diseases including cancers , cardiovascular disease , and inflammatory diseases . The role of these antioxidants in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus remains unclear . OBJECTIVE This study examined data from a cross-sectional survey to investigate the association between serum  carotenoids  and  type 2 diabetes .  DESIGN Study participants were adults aged > or = 25 y ( n = 1597 ) from 6 r and omly selected cities and towns in Queensl and , Australia . Study examinations conducted between October and December 2000 included fasting plasma glucose , an oral-glucose-tolerance test , and measurement of the serum concentrations of 5 carotenoid compounds .  RESULTS Mean 2-h postload plasma glucose and fasting insulin concentrations decreased significantly with increasing quintiles of the 5 serum carotenoids -- alpha-carotene , beta-carotene , beta-cryptoxanthin , lutein/zeaxanthin , and lycopene . Geometric mean concentrations for all serum carotenoids decreased ( all decreases were significant except that of lycopene ) with declining glucose tolerance status . Beta-carotene had the greatest decrease , to geometric means of 0.59 , 0.50 , and 0.42 micromol/L in persons with normal glucose tolerance , impaired glucose metabolism , and type 2 diabetes , respectively ( P < 0.01 for linear trend ) , after control for potential confounders . CONCLUSIONS Serum carotenoids are inversely associated with type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose metabolism . R and omized trials of diets high in carotenoid-rich vegetables and fruit are needed to confirm these results and those from other observational studies . Such evidence would have very important implication s for the prevention of diabetes BACKGROUND Emerging evidence suggests a possible role of lycopene in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) . OBJECTIVE We examined whether plasma lycopene concentrations in the Physicians ' Health Study were associated with CVD in a prospect i ve , nested , case-control design . DESIGN Baseline blood sample s were collected starting in 1996 . During a mean follow-up of 2.1 y , we identified 499 cases of CVD ( confirmed myocardial infa rct ion , stroke , CVD death , or revascularization procedures ) and an equal number of men free of CVD and matched for age ( x : 69.7 y ) , follow-up time , and smoking status . We collected self-reported coronary disease risk factors and measured plasma carotenoids , retinol , lipids , and C-reactive protein . RESULTS In matched analyses with additional adjustment for plasma total cholesterol and r and omized treatment , the relative risks ( RRs ) of CVD for men in the lowest to highest quartiles of plasma lycopene were 1.00 ( reference ) , 0.92 , 1.04 , and 0.95 ( P for linear trend = 0.93 ) . With multivariate adjustment , the RRs of total CVD were 1.00 ( reference ) , 1.08 , 0.94 , and 1.03 ( P for linear trend = 0.98 ) . For important vascular events ( 241 cases ) , excluding revascularization procedures , the multivariate RRs remained nonsignificant ( P for linear trend = 0.50 ) . Adding plasma carotenoids , lipids , or C-reactive protein to multivariate models had a minimal effect on the RRs of total CVD for plasma lycopene . Compared with lycopene , higher concentrations of plasma lutein/zeaxanthin and retinol suggested a moderate increase in CVD risk , whereas no association was found for beta-cryptoxanthin , alpha-carotene , and beta-carotene . CONCLUSIONS Higher plasma lycopene concentrations were not associated with the risk of CVD in this study of older men . Further evaluation in diverse population s is necessary BACKGROUND Growing evidence suggests that lycopene has significant in vitro antioxidant potential .  Lycopene has rarely been tested in prospect i ve studies for its role in cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) prevention . OBJECTIVE We examined the association between plasma lycopene and the risk of CVD in middle-aged and elderly women . DESIGN A prospect i ve , nested , case-control study was conducted in 39 876 women initially free of CVD and cancer in the Women 's Health Study . Baseline blood sample s were collected from 28 345 ( 71 % ) of the women . During a mean of 4.8 y of follow-up , we identified 483 CVD cases and 483 control subjects matched by age , smoking status , and follow-up time .  Plasma lycopene , other carotenoids , retinol , and total cholesterol  were measured . RESULTS In analyses matched for age and smoking , with adjustment for plasma cholesterol , the relative risks ( RRs ) and 95 % CIs of CVD in increasing quartiles of plasma lycopene were 1.00 ( referent ) , 0.78 ( 95 % CI : 0.55 , 1.11 ) , 0.56 ( 0.39 , 0.82 ) , and 0.62 ( 0.43 , 0.90 ) . In multivariate models , the RRs were 1.00 ( referent ) , 0.94 ( 0.60 , 1.49 ) , 0.62 ( 0.39 , 1.00 ) , and 0.67 ( 0.41 , 1.11 ) ; those in the upper compared with the lower half of plasma lycopene had an RR of 0.66 ( 0.47 , 0.95 ) . For CVD , exclusive of angina , women in the upper 3 quartiles had a significant multivariate 50 % risk reduction compared with those in the lowest quartile . The stepwise addition of individual plasma carotenoids did not affect the RRs . CONCLUSIONS Higher plasma lycopene concentrations are associated with a lower risk of CVD in women . These findings require confirmation in other cohorts , and the determinants of plasma lycopene concentrations need to be better understood The role of beta-carotene , alpha-tocopherol , and vitamin C in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases ( CVD ) is controversial . Prospect i ve studies on gamma-tocopherol and carotenoids other than beta-carotene are sparse . We assessed relations between the intake of different carotenoids , alpha- and gamma-tocopherol , and vitamin C with  15-y CVD mortality in elderly men who participated in the Zutphen Elderly Study . Information on diet and potential confounding factors was collected in 1985 , 1990 , and 1995 . In 1985 , 559 men ( mean age approximately 72 y ) free of chronic diseases were included in the current analysis . After 15 y of follow-up , comprising 5744 person-years , 197 men had died from CVD . After adjustment for age , smoking , and other potential lifestyle and dietary confounders , relative risks ( RR ) ( 95 % CI ) of CVD death for a 1-SD increase in intake were 0.81 ( 0.66 - 0.99 ) for alpha-carotene and 0.80 ( 0.66 - 0.97 ) for beta-carotene . Carrots were the primary source of alpha- and beta-carotene and their consumption was related to a lower risk of death from CVD ( adjusted RR , 0.83 ; 95 % 
    Output:
    
agent
The literature on risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases showed that lutein might be beneficial for atherosclerosis and inflammatory markers , but there were inconsistent associations with blood pressure , adiposity , insulin resistance , and blood lipids .
CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that higher dietary intake and higher blood concentrations of lutein are generally associated with better cardiometabolic health .
***TASK*** the task is to summarize an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***INPUT*** the input is a biomedical literature 
    ***OUTPUT*** the output is the summary of an input biomedical literature in six sentences 
    ***DOCUMENTATION*** 
    ***EXAMPLES*** 
    Input: Background —Carotenoids are hypothesized to explain some of the protective effects of fruit and vegetable intake on risk of cardiovascular disease . The present study assessed the protective effects of the oxygenated carotenoid lutein against early atherosclerosis . Methods and Results —Epidemiology : Progression of intima-media thickness ( IMT ) of the common carotid arteries over 18 months was determined ultrasonographically and was related to plasma lutein among a r and omly sample d cohort of utility employees age 40 to 60 years ( n=480 ) . Coculture : The impact of lutein on monocyte response to artery wall cell modification of LDL was assessed in vitro by quantification of monocyte migration in a coculture model of human intima . Mouse models : The impact of lutein supplementation on atherosclerotic lesion formation was assessed in vivo by assigning apoE-null mice to chow or chow plus lutein ( 0.2 % by weight ) and LDL receptor-null mice to Western diet or Western diet plus lutein .  IMT progression declined with increasing quintile of plasma lutein ( P for trend=0.007 , age-adjusted;P = 0.0007 , multivariate ) . Covariate-adjusted IMT progression ( mean±SEM ) was 0.021±0.005 mm in the lowest quintile of plasma lutein , whereas progression was blocked in the highest quintile ( 0.004±0.005 mm;P = 0.01 ) . In the coculture , pretreatment of cells with lutein inhibited LDL-induced migration in a dose-dependent manner ( P < 0.05 ) . Finally , in the mouse models , lutein supplementation reduced lesion size 44 % in apoE-null mice ( P = 0.009 ) and 43 % in LDL receptor-null mice ( P = 0.02 ) . Conclusions —These epidemiological , in vitro , and mouse model findings support the hypothesis that increased dietary intake of lutein is protective against the development of early atherosclerosis Many male birds use carotenoid pigments to acquire brilliant colors that advertise their health and condition to prospect i ve mates . The direct means by which the most colorful males achieve superior health has been debated , however . One hypothesis , based on studies of carotenoids as antioxidants in humans and other animals , is that carotenoids directly boost the immune system of colorful birds . We studied the relationship between carotenoid pigments , immune function , and sexual coloration in zebra finches ( Taeniopygia guttata ) , a species in which males incorporate carotenoid pigments into their beak to attract mates . We tested the hypotheses that increased dietary carotenoid intake enhances immunocompetence in male zebra finches and that levels of carotenoids circulating in blood , which also determine beak coloration , directly predict the immune response of individuals . We experimentally supplemented captive finches  with two common dietary carotenoid pigments ( lutein and zeaxanthin ) and measured cell-mediated and humoral immunity a month later . Supplemented males showed elevated blood-carotenoid levels , brighter beak coloration , and increased cell-mediated and humoral immune responses than did controls . Cell-mediated responses were predicted directly by changes in beak color and plasma carotenoid concentration of individual birds . These experimental findings suggest that carotenoid-based color signals in birds may directly signal male health via the immunostimulatory action of ingested and circulated carotenoid pigments Antioxidants , particularly carotenoids and tocopherols , may protect against cardiovascular disease . The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary and adipose tissue carotenoids and tocopherols are associated with the risk of myocardial infa rct ion ( MI ) . Cases ( n = 1456 ) of a first acute MI were identified and matched by age , sex , and residence to r and omly selected population controls ( n = 1456 ) living in Costa Rica .  Carotenoids and tocopherols were measured in adipose tissue using HPLC .  Dietary intake was assessed using a vali date d FFQ . Anthropometrical and lifestyle data were collected using an interviewer-administered question naire . Subjects were distributed into quintiles of intake or adipose tissue concentration of carotenoids or tocopherols . The lowest quintile was used as the referent in conditional logistic regression analyses . Adipose tissue beta-carotene showed a significant inverse relation with MI risk ; the odds ratio ( OR ) comparing the highest to the lowest quintile was 0.70 ( 95 % CI : 0.51 - 0.96 , P for trend = 0.02 ) . Intake of fruits and vegetables that are rich in beta-carotene was also inversely associated with the risk of MI ( OR = 0.74 ; CI : 0.54 - 1.01 , P for trend = 0.09 ) . In contrast , lutein + zeaxanthin in adipose tissue ( OR = 1.46 ; CI : 1.05 - 2.05 , P for trend = 0.02 ) and diet ( OR = 1.18 ; CI : 0.88 - 1.57 , P for trend = 0.02 ) was positively associated with MI risk . MI risk was not associated with any of the other carotenoids or tocopherols in the diet or adipose tissue . Thus , the inverse association between beta-carotene and MI risk suggests that beta-carotene protects against MI or it is a marker of some protective factor in foods containing beta-carotene . The mechanism underlying the positive association between lutein + zeaxanthin and the risk of MI warrants investigation BACKGROUND Epidemiologic evidence suggests that serum carotenoids are potent antioxidants and may play a protective role in the development of chronic diseases including cancers , cardiovascular disease , and inflammatory diseases . The role of these antioxidants in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus remains unclear . OBJECTIVE This study examined data from a cross-sectional survey to investigate the association between serum  carotenoids  and  type 2 diabetes .  DESIGN Study participants were adults aged > or = 25 y ( n = 1597 ) from 6 r and omly selected cities and towns in Queensl and , Australia . Study examinations conducted between October and December 2000 included fasting plasma glucose , an oral-glucose-tolerance test , and measurement of the serum concentrations of 5 carotenoid compounds .  RESULTS Mean 2-h postload plasma glucose and fasting insulin concentrations decreased significantly with increasing quintiles of the 5 serum carotenoids -- alpha-carotene , beta-carotene , beta-cryptoxanthin , lutein/zeaxanthin , and lycopene . Geometric mean concentrations for all serum carotenoids decreased ( all decreases were significant except that of lycopene ) with declining glucose tolerance status . Beta-carotene had the greatest decrease , to geometric means of 0.59 , 0.50 , and 0.42 micromol/L in persons with normal glucose tolerance , impaired glucose metabolism , and type 2 diabetes , respectively ( P < 0.01 for linear trend ) , after control for potential confounders . CONCLUSIONS Serum carotenoids are inversely associated with type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose metabolism . R and omized trials of diets high in carotenoid-rich vegetables and fruit are needed to confirm these results and those from other observational studies . Such evidence would have very important implication s for the prevention of diabetes BACKGROUND Emerging evidence suggests a possible role of lycopene in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) . OBJECTIVE We examined whether plasma lycopene concentrations in the Physicians ' Health Study were associated with CVD in a prospect i ve , nested , case-control design . DESIGN Baseline blood sample s were collected starting in 1996 . During a mean follow-up of 2.1 y , we identified 499 cases of CVD ( confirmed myocardial infa rct ion , stroke , CVD death , or revascularization procedures ) and an equal number of men free of CVD and matched for age ( x : 69.7 y ) , follow-up time , and smoking status . We collected self-reported coronary disease risk factors and measured plasma carotenoids , retinol , lipids , and C-reactive protein . RESULTS In matched analyses with additional adjustment for plasma total cholesterol and r and omized treatment , the relative risks ( RRs ) of CVD for men in the lowest to highest quartiles of plasma lycopene were 1.00 ( reference ) , 0.92 , 1.04 , and 0.95 ( P for linear trend = 0.93 ) . With multivariate adjustment , the RRs of total CVD were 1.00 ( reference ) , 1.08 , 0.94 , and 1.03 ( P for linear trend = 0.98 ) . For important vascular events ( 241 cases ) , excluding revascularization procedures , the multivariate RRs remained nonsignificant ( P for linear trend = 0.50 ) . Adding plasma carotenoids , lipids , or C-reactive protein to multivariate models had a minimal effect on the RRs of total CVD for plasma lycopene . Compared with lycopene , higher concentrations of plasma lutein/zeaxanthin and retinol suggested a moderate increase in CVD risk , whereas no association was found for beta-cryptoxanthin , alpha-carotene , and beta-carotene . CONCLUSIONS Higher plasma lycopene concentrations were not associated with the risk of CVD in this study of older men . Further evaluation in diverse population s is necessary BACKGROUND Growing evidence suggests that lycopene has significant in vitro antioxidant potential .  Lycopene has rarely been tested in prospect i ve studies for its role in cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) prevention . OBJECTIVE We examined the association between plasma lycopene and the risk of CVD in middle-aged and elderly women . DESIGN A prospect i ve , nested , case-control study was conducted in 39 876 women initially free of CVD and cancer in the Women 's Health Study . Baseline blood sample s were collected from 28 345 ( 71 % ) of the women . During a mean of 4.8 y of follow-up , we identified 483 CVD cases and 483 control subjects matched by age , smoking status , and follow-up time .  Plasma lycopene , other carotenoids , retinol , and total cholesterol  were measured . RESULTS In analyses matched for age and smoking , with adjustment for plasma cholesterol , the relative risks ( RRs ) and 95 % CIs of CVD in increasing quartiles of plasma lycopene were 1.00 ( referent ) , 0.78 ( 95 % CI : 0.55 , 1.11 ) , 0.56 ( 0.39 , 0.82 ) , and 0.62 ( 0.43 , 0.90 ) . In multivariate models , the RRs were 1.00 ( referent ) , 0.94 ( 0.60 , 1.49 ) , 0.62 ( 0.39 , 1.00 ) , and 0.67 ( 0.41 , 1.11 ) ; those in the upper compared with the lower half of plasma lycopene had an RR of 0.66 ( 0.47 , 0.95 ) . For CVD , exclusive of angina , women in the upper 3 quartiles had a significant multivariate 50 % risk reduction compared with those in the lowest quartile . The stepwise addition of individual plasma carotenoids did not affect the RRs . CONCLUSIONS Higher plasma lycopene concentrations are associated with a lower risk of CVD in women . These findings require confirmation in other cohorts , and the determinants of plasma lycopene concentrations need to be better understood The role of beta-carotene , alpha-tocopherol , and vitamin C in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases ( CVD ) is controversial . Prospect i ve studies on gamma-tocopherol and carotenoids other than beta-carotene are sparse . We assessed relations between the intake of different carotenoids , alpha- and gamma-tocopherol , and vitamin C with  15-y CVD mortality in elderly men who participated in the Zutphen Elderly Study . Information on diet and potential confounding factors was collected in 1985 , 1990 , and 1995 . In 1985 , 559 men ( mean age approximately 72 y ) free of chronic diseases were included in the current analysis . After 15 y of follow-up , comprising 5744 person-years , 197 men had died from CVD . After adjustment for age , smoking , and other potential lifestyle and dietary confounders , relative risks ( RR ) ( 95 % CI ) of CVD death for a 1-SD increase in intake were 0.81 ( 0.66 - 0.99 ) for alpha-carotene and 0.80 ( 0.66 - 0.97 ) for beta-carotene . Carrots were the primary source of alpha- and beta-carotene and their consumption was related to a lower risk of death from CVD ( adjusted RR , 0.83 ; 95 % 
    Output:
    