1
|
Dakic T, Jeremic D, Lakic I, Jasnic N, Ruzicic A, Vujovic P, Jevdjovic T. Walnut supplementation increases levels of UCP1 and CD36 in brown adipose tissue independently of diet type. Mol Cell Biochem 2024; 479:1735-1745. [PMID: 38478220 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-024-04981-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Dietary interventions that modulate the brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenic activity could represent a promising therapy for metabolic disorders. In order to examine if dietary walnuts intake regulates the expression of BAT thermogenic markers levels in healthy and metabolically challenged (fructose fed) animals, rats were initially divided into the control and fructose-fed groups. After nine weeks, these groups were subdivided into the one kept on the original regimens and the other supplemented with walnuts. High-fructose diet resulted in an increased relative BAT mass and no change in UCP1 content, while the walnut supplementation increased the amount of UCP1 in BAT, but did not affect 5-HT, NA, DHPG content and DHPG/NA ratio regardless of the diet. Moreover, the CD36 levels were increased following the walnut consumption, unlike FATP1, GLUT1, GLUT4, and glycogen content which remained unchanged. Additionally, the BAT levels of activated IR and Akt were not affected by walnut consumption, while ERK signaling was decreased. Overall, we found that walnut consumption increased UCP1 and CD36 content in the BAT of both control and metabolically challenged rats, suggesting that FFAs represent the BAT preferred substrate under the previously described circumstances. This further implies that incorporating walnuts into the everyday diet may help to alleviate some symptoms of the metabolic disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Dakic
- Department for Comparative Physiology and Ecophysiology, Institute for Physiology and Biochemistry "Ivan Djaja", Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Dusan Jeremic
- Department for Comparative Physiology and Ecophysiology, Institute for Physiology and Biochemistry "Ivan Djaja", Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Iva Lakic
- Department for Comparative Physiology and Ecophysiology, Institute for Physiology and Biochemistry "Ivan Djaja", Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Nebojsa Jasnic
- Department for Comparative Physiology and Ecophysiology, Institute for Physiology and Biochemistry "Ivan Djaja", Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Ruzicic
- Department for Comparative Physiology and Ecophysiology, Institute for Physiology and Biochemistry "Ivan Djaja", Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Predrag Vujovic
- Department for Comparative Physiology and Ecophysiology, Institute for Physiology and Biochemistry "Ivan Djaja", Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia
| | - Tanja Jevdjovic
- Department for Comparative Physiology and Ecophysiology, Institute for Physiology and Biochemistry "Ivan Djaja", Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tepavcevic S, Romic S, Zec M, Culafic T, Stojiljkovic M, Ivkovic T, Pantelic M, Kostic M, Stanisic J, Koricanac G. Effects of Walnut-Rich Diet on Cation-Handling Proteins in the Heart of Healthy and Metabolically Compromised Male Rats. J Med Food 2023; 26:849-857. [PMID: 37889606 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2022.0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The transport of cations in the cardiomyocytes, crucial for the functioning of the heart, can be affected by walnut diet due to the high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Healthy and metabolically compromised rats (drinking 10% fructose solution) were subjected to a diet supplemented with 2.4 g of walnuts for 6 weeks to investigate the effect on proteins involved in cation transport in the heart cells. Fructose increased the level of the α1 subunit of Na+/K+-ATPase and the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in the heart of control and walnut-eating rats, while elevated L-type calcium channel α (LTCCα), sodium-calcium exchanger 1 (NCX1), and Maxi Kα level were observed only in rats that did not consume walnuts. However, walnuts significantly increased the cardiac content of LTCC, NCX1, and Maxi Kα, as well as Kir6.1 and SUR2B subunits of KATP channel, but only in fructose-naive rats. In animals that drank fructose, a significant increasing effect of walnuts was observed only in Akt kinase phosphorylation, which may be a part of the antiarrhythmic mechanism of decreasing cation currents in cardiomyocytes. The walnut diet-induced increase in LTCC and NCX1 expression in healthy rats may indicate intense cardiac calcium turnover, whereas the effect on Kir6.1 and SUR2B subunits suggests stimulation of KATP channel transport in the cardiac vasculature. The effects of walnuts on the cation-handling proteins in the heart, mostly limited to healthy animals, suggest the possible use of a walnut-supplemented diet in the prevention rather than the treatment of cardiological channelopathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Snezana Tepavcevic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Snjezana Romic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Manja Zec
- Colorado Program for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Tijana Culafic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mojca Stojiljkovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tamara Ivkovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Pantelic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milan Kostic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Stanisic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Goran Koricanac
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Oliveira MOA, Leonço ÁR, Pavani VB, Barbosa IR, Campos MM. Omega-3 Effects on Ligature-Induced Periodontitis in Rats with Fructose-Induced Metabolic Syndrome. Inflammation 2023; 46:388-403. [PMID: 36171491 DOI: 10.1007/s10753-022-01741-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Both periodontal disease (PD) and metabolic syndrome (MS) represent disorders of concern worldwide. Current evidence indicates that PD and MS might negatively influence each other, increasing the risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), via mutual inflammatory pathways. A failure of the inflammation resolution mechanisms is crucial for these comorbidities. Fish oil-derived omega-3 has been linked with resolution-driven responses in different pathological conditions during the last years. This study evaluated the impacts of omega-3 supplementation in a rat model combining ligature-induced PD and 10% fructose intake-elicited MS. Our main findings show that 10% fructose ingestion led to an elevation of Lee index and white adipose tissue (WAT) weight, along with hepatic alterations, accompanied by an increase of leptin, and a decrement of adiponectin serum amounts, regardless of PD induction. Noteworthy, the co-induction of PD and MS resulted in higher levels of glycemia and triglycerides, being this latter effect lessened by omega-3 supplementation. In this case, the beneficial effects of omega-3 might be associated with its ability to recover the decline of serum adiponectin levels in rats with PD plus MS. As expected, PD induction led to alveolar bone loss, independent of MS induction. However, the supplementation with omega-3 restored alveolar bone in PD control animals, but not in the rats with PD combined with MS. Our study extends the knowledge about PD and MS as comorbidities, showing novel effects of omega-3 supplementation in this context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maysa O A Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Centro de Pesquisa em Toxicologia e Farmacologia, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Álvaro R Leonço
- Centro de Pesquisa em Toxicologia e Farmacologia, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Curso de Graduação em Medicina, Escola de Medicina, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Vinícius B Pavani
- Curso de Graduação em Odontologia, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga, 6681, Partenon, Porto Alegre, RS, 90619-900, Brazil
| | - Isadora R Barbosa
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Centro de Pesquisa em Toxicologia e Farmacologia, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Maria M Campos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
- Centro de Pesquisa em Toxicologia e Farmacologia, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
- Curso de Graduação em Odontologia, Escola de Ciências da Saúde e da Vida, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Avenida Ipiranga, 6681, Partenon, Porto Alegre, RS, 90619-900, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bošković M, Živković M, Koricanac G, Tepavcevic S, Zec M, Debeljak-Martacic J, Stanković A. Walnut supplementation after fructose-rich diet is associated with a beneficial fatty acid ratio and increased ACE2 expression in the rat heart. Front Physiol 2022; 13:942459. [PMID: 36213224 PMCID: PMC9533082 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.942459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased fructose consumption has been linked with chronic inflammation and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and NF-κB have been detected in MetS. Walnuts are a rich source of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) that were suggested to exert anti-inflammatory effects related to cardio-metabolic health. We hypothesized that walnut supplementation has the capacity to revert unfavorable fructose-rich diet (FRD)-induced activation of cardiac RAS and NF-κB in male rats. Due to the lack of similar studies, we investigated the effects of walnut supplementation (6 weeks) on the expression of four RAS molecules (ACE, ACE2, AT1R, and AT2R) and NF-κB in rat heart after FRD (10% w/v, 9 weeks). In addition, we followed the changes in the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio in the total pool of heart lipids after both treatments to elucidate the walnut effects on fatty acids in the heart. 36 animals (9 per group) participated in the experiment. FRD significantly increased the ACE protein level in the heart (p < 0.001). Walnut supplementation significantly increased the ACE2 protein level in the heart of FRD (p < 0.001). In addition, walnut supplementation showed a significant main effect on the arachidonic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid ratio (p = 0.004). Walnut supplementation significantly reduced this ratio, in comparison with both, the control group (C vs. FW, p < 0.05) and the FRD group (F vs. FW, p < 0.05). However, walnut treatment failed to revert the significant effect of fructose (p < 0.001) on the elevation of NF-κB protein level. Our results suggest a beneficial effect of walnut supplementation on ACE2 protein level and n-6/n-3 PUFA level in the heart of the animal model of MetS. Such results highlight the approach of omega-3-rich walnut supplementation in the stimulation of endogenous production of favorable molecules in the heart which could be an affordable nutritional treatment formaintenance of cardio-metabolic health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maja Bošković
- Laboratory for Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, “VINČA” Institute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Maja Živković
- Laboratory for Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, “VINČA” Institute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Goran Koricanac
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, “VINČA” Institute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Snezana Tepavcevic
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, “VINČA” Institute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Manja Zec
- School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Jasmina Debeljak-Martacic
- Centre of Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism Research, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Stanković
- Laboratory for Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, “VINČA” Institute of Nuclear Sciences—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
- *Correspondence: Aleksandra Stanković,
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Romić S, Tepavčević S, Popović T, Zec M, Stojiljković M, Ćulafić T, Bošković M, Korićanac G. Consumption of walnuts suppresses the conversion of palmitic to palmitoleic acid and enhances omega-3 fatty acid metabolism in the heart of fructose-fed rats. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2022; 73:940-953. [PMID: 35918845 DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2022.2107186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Walnut consumption mostly has a positive implication for cardiovascular health. Walnut diet effects on the cardiac fatty acid (FA) metabolism of healthy rats and those with fructose diet-induced metabolic burden were analysed. Both walnuts and fructose increased CD36 transporter level and the nuclear content of some/all of Lipin 1/PPARα/PGC-1 complex partners, as well as cytosolic and nuclear FOXO1. However, fructose, independently of walnuts, increased the content of palmitic (PA), oleic, and vaccenic acid (VA), while in walnut-fed rats failed to increase palmitoleic acid (POA) level and the POA/PA ratio, as well as total MUFA content. In opposite, walnuts reduced the level of PA and VA and increased alpha-linolenic, eicosapentaenoic and docosapentaenoic acid level, regardless of fructose. In conclusion, both fructose and walnuts stimulated the uptake and oxidation of FA in the heart, but the walnuts, opposite to fructose, favourably altered cardiac FA profile in healthy and metabolically compromised rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Snježana Romić
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Snežana Tepavčević
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tamara Popović
- Centre of Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism Research, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Manja Zec
- Centre of Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism Research, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Serbia.,School of Nutritional Sciences and Wellness, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Mojca Stojiljković
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tijana Ćulafić
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Maja Bošković
- Laboratory for Radiobiology and Molecular Genetics, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Goran Korićanac
- Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dakic T, Lakic I, Zec M, Takic M, Stojiljkovic M, Jevdjovic T. Fructose-rich diet and walnut supplementation differently regulate rat hypothalamic and hippocampal glucose transporters expression. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2021; 101:5984-5991. [PMID: 33856052 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.11252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nutritional modulations may be considered a strategy to protect mental health. Neuronal homeostasis is highly dependent on the availability of glucose, which represents the primary energy source for the brain. In this study, we evaluated the effects of walnut intake and fructose-rich diet on the expression of glucose transporters (GLUTs) in two rat brain regions: hypothalamus and hippocampus. RESULTS Our results show that walnut supplementation of fructose-fed animals restored the hypothalamic content of GLUT1 and GLUT3 protein. Furthermore, walnut intake did not affect increased hypothalamic GLUT2 content upon fructose consumption. These effects were accompanied by distinctive alterations of hippocampal GLUTs levels. Specifically, walnut intake increased GLUT1 content, whereas GLUT2 protein was decreased within the rat hippocampus after both individual and combined treatments. CONCLUSION Overall, our study suggests that walnut supplementation exerted modulatory effects on the glucose transporters within specific brain regions in the presence of developed metabolic disorder. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Dakic
- Department for Comparative Physiology and Ecophysiology, Institute for Physiology and Biochemistry 'Ivan Djaja', Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Iva Lakic
- Department for Comparative Physiology and Ecophysiology, Institute for Physiology and Biochemistry 'Ivan Djaja', Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Manja Zec
- Centre of Excellence for Nutrition and Metabolism Research, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Marija Takic
- Centre of Excellence for Nutrition and Metabolism Research, Institute for Medical Research, National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mojca Stojiljkovic
- Department for Molecular Biology and Endocrinology, Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Tanja Jevdjovic
- Department for Comparative Physiology and Ecophysiology, Institute for Physiology and Biochemistry 'Ivan Djaja', Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Walnut Supplementation Restores the SIRT1-FoxO3a-MnSOD/Catalase Axis in the Heart, Promotes an Anti-Inflammatory Fatty Acid Profile in Plasma, and Lowers Blood Pressure on Fructose-Rich Diet. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:5543025. [PMID: 33976753 PMCID: PMC8086433 DOI: 10.1155/2021/5543025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The benefits of walnut (Juglans regia) consumption for metabolic health are known, but the molecular background underlying their putative antioxidant and anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory effects is underexplored. We assessed that walnut supplementation (6 weeks) reverted unfavorable changes of the SIRT1/FoxO3a/MnSOD/catalase axis in the heart induced by fructose-rich diet (FRD). Intriguingly, Nox4 was increased by both FRD and walnut supplementation. FRD increased the cytosolic fraction and decreased the nuclear fraction of the uniquely elucidated ChREBP in the heart. The ChREBP nuclear fraction was decreased in control rats subjected to walnuts. In addition, walnut consumption was associated with a reduction in systolic BP in FRD and a decrease in fatty acid AA/EPA and AA/DHA ratios in plasma. In summary, the protective effect of walnut supplementation was detected in male rats following the fructose-induced decrease in antioxidative/anti-inflammatory capacity of cardiac tissue and increase in plasma predictors of low-grade inflammation. The current results provide a novel insight into the relationship between nutrients, cellular energy homeostasis, and the modulators of inflammatory/immune response in metabolic syndrome, emphasizing the heart and highlighting a track for translation into nutrition and dietary therapeutic approaches against metabolic disease.
Collapse
|
8
|
Can Walnut Serve as a Magic Bullet for the Management of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease? APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app11010218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Walnut contains many nutrients and bioactive components such as essential fatty acids, polyphenols, fiber, ɤ-tocopherol, folate, minerals, and vegetable protein, and has therefore been regarded as a natural functional food. Walnut-enriched diets have been demonstrated to be useful for heart health, cancer prevention, and metabolic disorders owing to their anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties as well as for the maintenance of a healthy metabolism and immune function. Walnut extracts, either phenolic or lipid, also demonstrated the health effects in animal and cultured cell studies. More recently, the beneficial effects of walnut consumption on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is a hepatic manifestation of obesity, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome with substantial hepatic accumulation of triglyceride, have been proposed because walnut and a walnut-containing diet can modulate the etiologic mechanism such as ameliorating systemic and hepatic dyslipidemia, reducing lipotoxicity and inflammation, enhancing immune function, and maintaining gut microbiota balance. Through the extensive literature review we discuss the preventive roles of walnut in the development and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and provide mechanistic insights into these effects.
Collapse
|