Dietary nitrate intake is associated with decreased incidence of open-angle Glaucoma: The Rotterdam study

Previous studies suggest that nitric oxide is involved in the regulation of the intraocular pressure (IOP) and in the pathophysiology of open-angle glaucoma (OAG). However, prospective studies investigating the association between dietary nitrate intake, a source of nitric oxide, and incident (i)OAG risk are limited. We aimed to determine the association between dietary nitrate intake and iOAG, and to evaluate the association between dietary nitrate intake and IOP. From 1991 onwards, participants were followed each five years for iOAG in the Rotterdam Study. A total of 173 participants developed iOAG during follow-up. Cases and controls were matched on age (mean ± standard deviation: 65.7 ± 6.9) and sex (%female: 53.2) in a case:control ratio of 1:5. After adjustment for potential confounders, total dietary nitrate intake was associated with a lower iOAG risk (odds ratio (OR) with corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.95 (0.91–0.98) for each 10 mg/day higher intake). Both nitrate intake from vegetables (OR (95% CI): 0.95 (0.91–0.98) for each 10 mg/day higher intake) and nitrate intake from non-vegetable food sources (OR (95% CI): 0.63 (0.41–0.96) for each 10 mg/day higher intake) were associated with a lower iOAG risk. Dietary nitrate intake was not associated with IOP. In conclusion, dietary nitrate intake was associated with a reduced risk of iOAG. IOP-independent mechanisms may underlie the association with OAG

Air pollution and the risk of dementia : the rotterdam study

BACKGROUND: Exposure to air pollution has been suggested to increase the risk of dementia, but studies on this link often lack a detailed screening for dementia and data on important confounders. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of exposure to air pollution with the risk of dementia and cognitive decline in the population-based Rotterdam Study. METHODS: Between 2009 and 2010, we determined air pollutant concentrations at participants residential addresses using land use regression models. Determined air pollutants include particulate matter <10μm (PM10) and <2.5μm (PM2.5), a proxy of elemental carbon (PM2.5 absorbance), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). As the individual air pollutant levels were highly correlated (r = 0.71-0.98), we computed a general marker covering all air pollutants based on a principal component analysis. We followed participants up for dementia until 2018 and determined cognitive performance during two subsequent examination rounds. Using Cox and linear mixed models, we related air pollution to dementia and cognitive decline. RESULTS: Of the 7,511 non-demented participants at baseline, 545 developed dementia during a median follow-up of 7 years. The general marker of all air pollutants was not associated with the risk of dementia (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 1.04 [0.95-1.15]), neither were the individual air pollutants. Also, the general marker of all air pollutants or the individual air pollutant levels were not associated with cognitive decline. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found no clear evidence for an association between exposure to air pollution and the risk of dementia or cognitive decline

MIND diet lowers risk of open-angle glaucoma: the Rotterdam Study

Purpose To assess the association between the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet and the incidence of open-angle glaucoma (iOAG), as well as the association between iOAG and two other well-established diets in the Netherlands, i.e., the Mediterranean diet and Dutch dietary guidelines. Methods In the Rotterdam Study, participants were followed for iOAG since 1991, with intervals of approximately 5 years. A total of 170 participants developed iOAG during follow-up. Participants with iOAG were matched with healthy controls on age and sex in a case:control ratio of 1:5. The associations between food frequency questionnaire-derived diet adherences (baseline) and iOAG were analyzed using multivariable conditional logistic regression analyses. The associations between the diet adherences and intraocular pressure (IOP; a risk factor for OAG) were assessed using multivariable linear regression analyses. Results Greater adherence to the MIND diet was associated with a decreased iOAG risk (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.80 [0.66 to 0.96], for each 10-percent increase in adherence). Food component analyses showed that, in particular a higher intake of green leafy vegetables, berries and fish tended to be protective for iOAG. No significant associations were observed between adherence to the Mediterranean diet or Dutch dietary guidelines and iOAG. Moreover, none of the three examined diets were associated with IOP. Conclusion Adherence to the MIND diet was significantly associated with a lower incidence of OAG in contrast to adherence to the Mediterranean diet or the Dutch dietary guidelines. As this association was IOP-independent, the MIND diet may be particularly relevant for the prevention of neurodegeneration in the eye

Metabolic profiles associated with exposure to ambient particulate air pollution : findings from the Betula cohort

Introduction: Air pollution is a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality globally and has been linked to an increased risk of dementia. Previous studies within the Betula cohort in Northern Sweden have demonstrated associations between air pollution and dementia, as well as distinctive metabolomic profiles in dementia patients compared to controls. This study aimed to investigate whether air pollution is associated with quantitative changes in metabolite levels within this cohort, and whether future dementia status would modify this association. Methods: Both short-term and long-term exposure to air pollution were evaluated using high spatial resolution models and measured data. Air pollution from vehicle exhaust and woodsmoke were analyzed separately. Metabolomic profiling was conducted on 321 participants, including 58 serum samples from dementia patients and a control group matched for age, sex, and education level, using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Results: No statistically significant associations were found between any metabolites and any measures of short-term or long-term exposure to air pollution. However, there were trends potentially suggesting associations between both long-term and short-term exposure to air pollution with lactate and glucose metabolites. Notably, these associations were observed despite the lack of correlation between long-term and short-term air pollution exposure in this cohort. There were also tendencies for associations between air pollution from woodsmoke to be more pronounced in participants that would later develop dementia, suggesting a potential effect depending on urban/rural factors. Discussion: While no significant associations were found, the trends observed in the data suggest potential links between air pollution exposure and changes in lactate and glucose metabolites. These findings provide some new insights into the link between air pollution and metabolic markers in a low-exposure setting. However, addressing existing limitations is crucial to improve the robustness and applicability of future research in this area. The pronounced associations in participants who later developed dementia may indicate an influence of urban/rural factors, warranting further investigation