The Effect of Chilgoza Pine Nut (Pinus gerardiana Wall.) on Blood Glucose and Oxidative Stress in Diabetic Rats.
Purpose: Diabetes can increase oxidative stress in various tissues of the body, and the progress of this process is associated with intensification of the complications of diabetes. The current study purposed to evaluate the protective effect of Pinus gerardiana (PG) seed on oxidative stress induced by diabetes in the liver and serum of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods: This interventional study was performed on 36 male Wistar rats. The rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (healthy controls, healthy treated with 3% and 6% (PG), diabetic control, diabetic treated with 3% and 6% (PG) doses). After 6 weeks of intervention, weight, glucose, and oxidative stress parameters in serum and liver including total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, total thiol and superoxide dismutase activity were measured. Data analysis was done by statistical software version 16 and Tukey's one-way ANOVA tests. Results: Diabetic rats showed significantly higher malondialdehyde and fasting glucose levels (12±1.2 mmol/L) and significant reductions in fasting insulin serum, weight (-37%), and activity of superoxide dismutase enzymes, total thiol groups, and total antioxidant capacity of serum and liver (about +49% in liver and +16% in serum) (p < 0.001) compared with the healthy groups. Oral administration of PG nuts to diabetic rats caused a significant reduction in malondialdehyde and fasting glucose levels (-43%) and weight loss (+15%), and a significant increase in activity of superoxide dismutase enzymes, total thiol groups, and total antioxidant capacity of serum and liver (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The present study concluded that PG can decrease fasting blood glucose, improve insulin resistance, reduce weight loss, and improve oxidative stress indices in the serum and liver of STZ-induced diabetic rats. It is a potential therapeutic food supplement for the treatment and prevention of hyperglycemia and high oxidative stress of diabetes.
Effect of Almond Consumption on Metabolic Risk Factors - Glucose, Hyperinsulinemia, Inflammatory Markers: A Randomized Controlled Trial in 16–25 year olds in Mumbai City.
Objectives: A large percentage of Indian population has diabetes or is at risk of pre-diabetes. Almond consumption has shown benefits on cardio metabolic risk factors in adults. The present study explored the effect of almond consumption on determinants of metabolic dysfunction - blood glucose, insulin, selected inflammatory markers and oxidant damage in adolescents and young adults aged 16–25 years from Mumbai city. Daily almond consumption will reduce insulin levels, selected pro-inflammatory markers, improve lipid profile of 16–25 year old persons. Methods: This cluster randomized trial was conducted on individuals with impaired levels of glucose (fasting glucose (5.6–6.9 mmol/L), 2 h post-glucose (7.8–11.0 mmol/L) and/or insulin (fasting insulin(≥15 mIU/ml)/glucose challenge insulin(≥80 mIU/ml). 421 individuals were selected after screening 1313 individuals. The almonds group (n = 107) consumed 56gm almonds daily for 90 days and was compared with a control group (n = 112) who consumed an iso-caloric snack for the same period. Blood samples were analysed at baseline, endline for glucose, insulin, HbA1C, LDL, HDL, TC, ox-LDL, TG, hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, adiponectin, leptin. Body fat (%), visceral fat, weight, were measured. HOMA-IR, FG: FI ratio, BMI, WHR, WHtR were calculated. Dietary intakes were assessed at baseline, endline using 24-hour recall. Results: Baseline values for all measurements, macronutrient intakes did not differ significantly between the two groups. Changes in anthropometric measurements between baseline and endline were not significantly different in both groups. Percent body fat increased in both groups but was four times more in the control than the almonds group. Almond consumption significantly decreased HbA1C, total cholesterol, LDL-C, IL-6. Stimulated insulin decreased post-intervention in both groups, but was greater in almonds group. FG: FI ratio decreased in almonds group. TNF-α decreased in almonds group while it increased in control group. Conclusions: The present study shows the directionality for almond consumption to reduce inflammatory markers, total, LDL cholesterol levels and HbA1C levels in adolescents and young adults who were at risk for developing diabetes. Thus, almonds can be considered as one of the food-based strategies for preventing pre-diabetes.
Chemical characterization, antioxidant evaluation, and antidiabetic potential of Pinus gerardiana (Pine nuts) extracts.
Methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of pine nuts were evaluated for in vitro antioxidant and inhibition of alpha-amylase activities. Pine nut extracts were orally administered to alloxan monohydrate-induced diabetes in mice at 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg. Both extracts showed a significant antioxidant and inhibition of alpha-amylase activities. Animal studies showed a decline in fasting blood glucose, hyperlipidemia, and weight loss in diabetic mice. The administration of plant extracts decreased the blood glucose level during the oral glucose tolerance test. Histopathological examination showed a decrease in alloxan-induced lesions in the pancreas, liver, and kidney of animals treated with pine nut extracts. Furthermore, pine nut extract ameliorated oxidative stress-induced hepatotoxicity in diabetic mice. The presence of quercetin, gallic acid, vanillic acid, benzoic acid, syringic acid, m-coumaric acid, and other phenolic compounds might be related to hypoglycemic, alpha-amylase inhibitory, antioxidant, and antihyperlipidemic potential of pine nut extracts. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Dry fruits are rich in dietary nutrients, minerals, and phytochemicals that can be used to treat and prevent lifestyle disease. Pine nuts are edible and have economic importance in addition to several traditional uses such as diuretic, antiseptic, expectorant, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antihypertensive, and antineuralgic properties. This study was conducted to investigate the pine nut extracts for their antioxidant and antidiabetic potentials using in vitro methods and animal disease model. The findings of the present study suggest that the extracts of Pine nuts may be helpful in treating hyperglycemia during diabetes and prevent its complications such as hepatic damage, nephrotoxicity, weight loss, and hyperlipidemia.
Food groups in dietary prevention of type 2 diabetes.
According to the World Health Organization diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death worldwide in 2030. Majority of diabetic patients suffer from type 2 diabetes (T2DM), which is mostly avoidable. The most important modifiable risk factors of type 2 diabetes are: overweight and obesity, improper diet, sedentary lifestyle and tobacco smoking. Even in prediabetic state, improving diet and physical activity can slow down or even stop progression to diabetes. In the view of health burden of diabetes it is essential to thoroughly investigate the risk factors and develop more specific preventive strategies. Recently published studies focus on food groups rather than individual products to assess the link between nutrition and risk of type 2 diabetes. Identifying food groups of possible beneficial and deleterious effect on the risk of type 2 diabetes could facilitate the dietary counselling. The aim of the overview is to summarize the possible association between consumption of food groups on the risk of type 2 diabetes on the basis of available literature. Observations from studies and meta-analyses indicate on an inverse association between consumption of fresh vegetables and fruit, whole grains, lean dairy, fish, nuts and the risk of type 2 diabetes. Food groups that seemed to increase the risk of type 2 diabetes are: red and processed meat, refined grains, sugar-sweetened beverages. It is important to note, that no individual nutrients, but diverse dietary pattern, composed of every recommended food group in adequate amounts can contribute to healthy lifestyle and T2DM prevention.
Nut Consumption and Renal Function Among Women With a History of Gestational Diabetes.
Objective: Nut intake has been associated with reduced cardiometabolic risk, but few studies have examined its association with renal function. We examined associations between nut intake and renal function among women with previous gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a population with an increased risk for renal dysfunction. Design and methods: This study included 607 women with a history of GDM who participated in the Diabetes & Women's Health Study (2012-2014) follow-up clinical examination in Denmark. At the clinic, biospecimens were collected, and habitual intake of nuts (9 types) in the past year was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. A total of 330 women free of major chronic diseases were included in the analysis. Total nut intake was classified as none (≤1 serving/month), monthly (2-3 servings/month), weekly (1-6 servings/week), and daily (≥1 serving/day). One serving was defined as 28 g. Renal function markers included estimated glomerular rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR), calculated based on plasma creatinine (mg/dL), and urinary albumin (mg/L), and creatinine (mg/dL) measurements, respectively. We estimated percent differences with 95% confidence intervals for each outcome by nut intake, adjusted for current body mass index, age, physical activity, energy intake, alcohol consumption, and vegetables intake. Results: We observed a nonlinear association between total nut intake and UACR with lowest UACR values among women with weekly intake. Compared to women with weekly intake (n = 222), the adjusted UACR values were higher by 86% [95% confidence interval: 15%, 202%], 24% [-1%, 54%], and 117% [22%, 288%] among women with no (n = 13), monthly (n = 86), and daily (n = 9) intake, respectively. Compared to weekly consumers, daily nut consumers also had 9% [0%, 19%] significantly higher eGFR values, but eGFR values were similar among women with no and monthly intake. Conclusion: Moderate nut consumption may be beneficial to kidney health among women with prior GDM.
Acute Effect of Pistachio Intake on Postprandial Glycemic and Gut Hormone Responses in Women With Gestational Diabetes or Gestational Impaired Glucose Tolerance: A Randomized, Controlled, Crossover Study.
Long-term consumption of pistachios could potentially improves glucose homeostasis. Impaired postprandial glucose, insulin, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) responses have been reported in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the acute effects of two isocaloric test meals, 42 g pistachios and 100 g whole-wheat bread (WWB) on postprandial glucose, insulin, and gut derived incretin levels in Chinese women with gestational impaired glucose tolerance (GIGT) or GDM. Expected glucose and insulin responses were observed after WWB consumption. Isocaloric pistachio intake had minimal effect on blood glucose or insulin. In both GIGT and GDM patients, significant higher GLP-1 levels were observed at 90 and 120 min after pistachio compared to WWB intake. Significant lower gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) levels were observed at 30 and 60 min in GDM patients or 120 min in GIGT patients after pistachio compared to WWB intake. In summary, isocaloric pistachio intake induced significantly lower postprandial glucose, insulin and GIP but higher GLP-1 levels compared to WWB. Our data suggest pistachios are effective alternative to a low-fat, high-carbohydrate food to improve postprandial glucose, insulin, and GLP-1 response in women with GDM and GIGT.
Almond-supplemented diet improves sexual functions beyond Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibition in diabetic male rats.
Hyperglycemia, an important feature of diabetes, can cause oxidative stress, which is associated with varieties of diabetic complications including erectile dysfunction. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the effect of almond-supplemented diet on some biochemical indices relevant to erection in diabetic male rats. Forty-two male rats were divided into two groups: A (n = 6) and B (n = 36). Diabetes was induced in Group B via injection of a single dose of STZ (50 mg/kg) intraperitoneally and confirmed 72 h after induction. Diabetic rats (blood glucose ≥250 mg/dL) were subsequently divided into six groups (n = 6). Fourteen days after confirmation of diabetes, rats were fed with diets containing almond drupe and seeds (10 and 20% inclusion) for fourteen days. The effects of the diets on blood glucose, sexual behavior, sexual hormones, phosphodiesterase-5 activity, nitric oxide, H2S, and AGEs levels were evaluated. Significant increase in blood glucose level, phosphodiesterase-5 activity, and glycated hemoglobin was observed in diabetic rats. Furthermore, diabetes caused a significant decrease in nitric oxide, H2S, sexual hormones (testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone) levels, and sexual behavioral indices. However, treatment with diets supplemented with almond drupe and seeds significantly reversed these effects in diabetic rats. Findings in this study revealed that almond-supplemented diets enhance some important biomarkers relevant to erection in diabetic rats. Thus, dietary inclusion of almond (drupe and seeds) could serve as a cheap and readily available nutraceutical in the management of erectile dysfunction associated with diabetes.
Acute effects of an isocaloric macronutrient-matched breakfast meal containing almonds on glycemic, hormonal and appetite responses in men with type 2 diabetes: a randomized cross-over study.
This randomized crossover study assessed the acute effects of almonds on postprandial glycemic, hormonal and appetite responses in a sample of seven men with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Participants completed two experimental visits during which a control (white bread, butter, cheese) and a test (white bread, almonds) meal were ingested. Energy, available carbohydrate, total lipid, and protein contents were the same in both meals. Blood samples were collected in fasting state as well as 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 240 minutes postprandially for quantifying blood glucose, as well as insulin and GLP-1 serum concentrations. Subjective appetite sensations were assessed using visual analog scales at the same time points. Within this sample of participants, the test meal was found to be associated with lower postprandial glycemia and insulinemia, higher GLP-1 serum concentrations, decreased hunger and desire to eat, and increased fullness. The test meal was also associated with an increased estimated glucose metabolic clearance rate, indicating higher postprandial insulin sensitivity. Overall, results suggest that almonds' macronutrient subtype profile could have a beneficial impact on postprandial glycemic, hormonal and appetite responses in men with T2D. Studies with a larger sample size are warranted to confirm these findings. NOVELTY BULLETS • A meal containing almonds (vs. isocaloric micronutrient-matched control) induced lower glycemic and insulinemic responses. • A meal containing almonds (vs. isocaloric micronutrient-matched control) induced higher postprandial GLP-1 serum concentrations. • A meal containing almonds (vs. isocaloric micronutrient-matched control) induced more favorable postprandial appetite responses.
Antidiabetic effects of water-soluble Korean pine nut protein on type 2 diabetic mice.
Korean pine nut protein (PNP) has a variety of biological activities, which are good for human health, but its ability to preventing diabetes has not been reported. This study evaluated the effects of water-soluble proteins of Korean pine nut obtained from a dilute alkali extract on carbohydrate metabolism of type 2 diabetic mice on a model of diabetes induced using a high fat diet combined with streptozotocin. The results showed that the hypoglycemic effect of PNP at a middle dose was the most significant, which was 38.7% lower than that of control. The extract significantly improved the oral glucose tolerance and liver indexes, increased the activity of the carbohydrate metabolism enzymes, and regulated the expression of the function of key genes for carbohydrate metabolism. It had a positive effect on both insulin resistance and glycolytic/gluconeogenesis signaling. In conclusion, PNP can regulate fasting blood glucose, improve insulin resistance, correct the glucose metabolism disorder in diabetic mice, and have a positive regulatory role. As the functional food, it has the potential to be beneficial in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus as a new hypoglycemic functional food.
Effects of a Mediterranean eating plan on the need for glucose-lowering medications in participants with type 2 diabetes: a subgroup analysis of the PREDIMED trial.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of two Mediterranean eating plans (Med-EatPlans) versus a low-fat eating plan on the need for glucose-lowering medications. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: From the PREDIMED trial, we selected 3,230 participants with type 2 diabetes at baseline. These participants were randomly assigned to one of three eating plans: Med-EatPlan supplemented with extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), Med-EatPlan supplemented with mixed nuts, or a low-fat eating plan (control). In a subgroup (15%), the allocation was done in small clusters instead of using individual randomization, and the clustering effect was taken into account in the statistical analysis. In multivariable time-to-event survival models, we assessed two outcomes: 1) introduction of the first glucose-lowering medication (oral or injectable) among participants on lifestyle management at enrollment and 2) insulin initiation. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 3.2 years, in multivariable analyses adjusting for baseline characteristics and propensity scores, the hazard ratios (HRs) of starting a first glucose-lowering medication were 0.78 (95% CI 0.62-0.98) for Med-EatPlan + EVOO and 0.89 (0.71-1.12) for Med-EatPlan + nuts, compared with the control eating plan. After a median follow-up of 5.1 years, the adjusted HRs of starting insulin treatment were 0.87 (0.68-1.11) for Med-EatPlan + EVOO and 0.89 (0.69-1.14) for Med-EatPlan + nuts compared with the control eating plan. CONCLUSIONS: Among participants with type 2 diabetes, a Med-EatPlan + EVOO may delay the introduction of new-onset glucose-lowering medications. The Med-EatPlan did not result in a significantly lower need for insulin.