Resveratrol induces mitochondria-mediated AIF and to a lesser extent caspase-9-dependent apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma ASTC-a-1 cells

Resveratrol (RV); a natural plant polyphenol widely present in foods such as grapes; wine; and peanuts; has an ability to inhibit various stages of carcinogenesis in vitro and in vivo. In this report; we explored the roles of intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways during RV-induced apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma (ASTC-a-1) cells. After exposure of […]

Cardiovascular Effects of Consumption of Black Versus English Walnuts

English walnuts have been shown to decrease cardiovascular disease risk; however; black walnuts do not appear to have not been studied for their cardioprotective effects. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of English versus black walnut consumption on blood lipids; body weight; fatty-acid composition of red blood cell (RBC) membranes; and […]

Traditional herbal remedies that influence cell adhesion molecule activity

Many traditional medicines have demonstrated immune activity; however; research has largely neglected their effects on cell adhesion molecules (CAMs). This review reports on extracts from 37 medicinal plant species; similar to or replicating traditional preparations; that up- or down regulate either gene or protein activity of CAMs. The majority of the investigations were in vitro; […]

Nutritional quality of 18 date fruit varieties

The aim of the present study was to analyze and compare the chemical and physical properties of 18 varieties of the date fruits from date palm (Phoenix dactylifera); which are regarded as popular fruit commodities among the populace of the Middle Eastern peninsula. Dietary fiber; proximate analysis; micronutrients (micro-elements and macro-elements) and physical properties (weight; […]

Nuts; hypertension and endothelial function

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: High blood pressure (BP) is considered a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Among lifestyle factors; diet plays a key role in the prevention and control of high BP. Therefore; it is important to elucidate which dietary components can exert beneficial effects on BP through modulation of endothelial function (EF) or by […]

The glycemic effect of nut-enriched meals in healthy and diabetic subjects

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The intake of nuts has been linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes in large cohort studies. One potential contributing mechanism may be the ability of nuts to improve post-meal glycemic response. We; therefore; examined the effect of nuts alone and in combination with white bread on postprandial […]

Current guidelines for nut consumption are achievable and sustainable: a hazelnut intervention

Nuts are known for their hypocholesterolaemic properties; however; to achieve optimal health benefits; nuts must be consumed regularly and in sufficient quantity. It is therefore important to assess the acceptability of regular consumption of nuts. The present study examined the long-term effects of hazelnut consumption in three different forms on 'desire to consume' and 'overall […]

Effect of a traditional Mediterranean diet on apolipoproteins B; A-I; and their ratio. A randomized; controlled; trial

Objectives: Apolipoprotein (Apo)B; ApoA-I; and their ratio could predict coronary heart disease (CHD) risk more accurately than conventional lipid measurements. Our aim was to assess the effect of a traditional Mediterranean diet (TMD) on apolipoproteins. Methods: High-cardiovascular risk subjects (n =551; 308 women and 243 men); aged 55 to 80; were recruited into a large; […]

Influence of body mass index and serum lipids on the cholesterol-lowering effects of almonds in free-living individuals

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Short-term (4-9 weeks) human feeding trials have shown nut consumption to reduce serum total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-cholesterol (LDL). We hypothesized that individual levels of BMI; LDL; TC and triglycerides modify the cholesterol-lowering effect of almonds in a 24-week almond supplementation trial in a free-living population. METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed secondary […]