Understanding complex effects on clinical outcomes and biomarker activities of food supplementation in heavy smokers: an approach using bayesian networks

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Vigna, L.^{a; *} | Gori, F.^b | Bamonti, F.^c | Tomaino, L.^{d; e} | Zaccagna, C.A.^f | Cighetti, G.^g | Dellanoce, C.^h | Gregori, D.ⁱ

Affiliations: [a] Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy | [b] Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Emergency, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy | [c] Former Associate Professor of Clinical Biochemistry, Board certified in Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Università di Milano, Milano, Italy | [d] Emergency Medicine Residency Program, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy | [e] Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy | [f] Atelier Medico Moncalieri, Torino, Italy | [g] Former Professor of Chemistry, Universitá degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy | [h] Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council (IFC-CNR), ASST Grande Ospedale Metropolitano Niguarda, Milano, Italy | [i] Department of Cardiological, Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health Unit, Thoracic and Vascular Sciences, Università di Padova, Padova, Italy

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: L. Vigna, Occupational Health Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy. E-mail: luisella.vigna@policlinico.mi.it.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Antioxidant administration can significantly alleviate smoking-mediated oxidative stress. In our previous research, using a concentrated mixed juice powder led to significant reduction in oxidative status markers and improved lung function among smokers. OBJECTIVE:To compare the effectiveness of different antioxidant formulations of the retail product Juice Plus+® on oxidative status and lung function in healthy smokers via a a Bayesian Network (BN) analysis. METHODS:At baseline and after 3 months’ supplementation, pulmonary function, cardiovascular risk factors, and oxidative status were assessed in 101 smokers, randomized into three groups: placebo (P), fruit/vegetable (FV), and fruit/vegetable/berry (FVB) group. BN analysis was performed via Monte Carlo simulations. Statistical significance was assigned as p < 0.05. RESULTS:No significant interaction was observed in P (network score –101.4, p = ns), whereas overall fit significantly improved in both FV (network score –185.7, p = 0.01) and FVB (–293.7, p = 0.003). Moreover, P group’s respiratory parameters appeared unrelated to the biochemical structure, whereas those of the FV and, to a greater extent, FVB groups were definitely related to it CONCLUSIONS:BN analysis demonstrated that the FV and FVB formulations contain nutraceutical compounds capable of synergistically acting and improving antioxidant modulation and respiratory function in smoking subjects

Keywords: Nutraceuticals, fruits, vegetables, berries, antioxidants, respiratory function, bayesian networks

DOI: 10.3233/MNM-230107

Journal: Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 149-164, 2024