Effects of Mediterranean diet on lipid, coagulative and fibrinolytic parameters in two randomly selected population samples in Western Sicily

Background and Aim: Two randomly selected population samples in Western Sic ily, one rural and one urban, were studied to evaluate the influence of die t on lipid coagulative and fibrinolytic parameters. Methods and Results: The urban sample followed a diet with a significantly higher protein, cholesterol and fat (in particular, saturated fatty acids) intake and a significantly lower carbohydrate and fiber intake than the rur al sample. Moreover, the polyunsaturated/saturated and monounsaturated/satu rated fatty acids ratios were significantly lower and the omega-6/omega-3 f atty acids ratio was significantly higher in the urban sample than in the r ural sample. At baseline, after 8 weeks' dietary intervention period and af ter 8 weeks' return to the original diet, the following parameters were mea sured: blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, ap olipoproteins Al and B100, fibrinogen, factors VII and VIII, tissue plasmin ogen activator; plasminogen activator inhibitor and plasminogen. During the dietary intervention period, the rural sample consumed the urban sample's diet, while the urban sample consumed the rural sample's diet (the so-calle d "Mediterranean diet"). Conclusion: Our results show a positive effect of the rural population's di et on lipid, coagulative and fibrinolytic parameters which play a key role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and indicate that this dietary patt ern should be adopted by the entire population. (C) 1998, Medikal Press.