Abstract
Purpose :
Retinal microvasculature may provide a non-invasive and surrogate method to study early structural changes and pathological features within human microcirculation. In this study, we investigated the possible associations of nutrition intake with the retinal vascular calibre in the Japanese-American population in Los Angeles, California.
Methods :
Total of 554 participants in Los Angeles study were included in this cross-sectional study and had an interview, fundus photography, comprehensive physical and blood examination to determine Body Mass Index (BMI) status, retinal vascular diameter and any confounding factors. The nutrient intake was assessed through Food Frequency Questionnaire which was distributed to all participants and analysed using nutritional management software (Chatty, Sakuraku net, Osaka, Japan). Central retinal arteriolar/ venular equivalents (CRAEs/ CRVEs) were measured from retinal photographs using Parr-Hubbard-Knudson formulae. Multiple linear regression analysis with adjustment of confounding factors was performed to assess associations between retinal vascular diameter and nutrient intake.
Results :
This study reported significant associations between BMI and daily intake of this following: calories (p < 0.001), carbohydrates (p = 0.001), salt (p < 0.001), animal lipids (p = 0.001), and vitamin B1 (p= 0.003) while no associations were found between BMI and vitamins B2, A, and C. After adjustment of related factors, consumption of vitamin A and C were determined to be negatively associated with CRVE (P < 0.05). CRVE was decreased 1.96 µm per standard deviation (SD) changes in vitamin A intake (P = 0.016) and decreased 2.03 µm per standard deviation (SD) changes in vitamin C intake (P = 0.0137).
Conclusions :
Vitamin A and C intake were associated with narrower CRVE suggesting that these nutrients intake may be linked to better alterations in microvascular health.
This abstract was presented at the 2019 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Vancouver, Canada, April 28 - May 2, 2019.