Almond protects the liver in coronary artery disease – a randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Abstract
 Objective: To compare the effect of Pakistani and American almonds on serum concentration of liver enzymes in coronary artery disease patients.
 Methods: The randomised controlled trial was conducted at the Cardiology Clinics of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from February to July, 2012, and comprised patients who were randomised into intervention PA and AA groups and the control NI groups. Subjects in the intervention groups were provided Pakistani and American varieties of almonds 10g/day respectively with instructions to soak them overnight, remove the skin and eat them before breakfast for 12 weeks. The control group underwent no intervention. Serum concentrations of aspartate transaminase, Alanine transaminase and gamma-glutamyl transferase were analysed and compared.
 Results: Of the 150 subjects, 110(73.3%) completed the study. Of them, there were 38(34.5%) in PA group, 41(37.3%) in AA, and 31(28.2%) in the NI group. Dietary almonds significantly reduced serum concentrations of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and gamma-glutamyl transferase in the two intervention groups compared to the controls group (p<0.05) at 12-week follow-up.
 Conclusion: A low dose of almonds was found to be an effective strategy to protect the liver.
 Key Words: Low dose, Soaked almonds, Transaminases, Transpeptidase, SGOT/SGPT.

Almond By-Products: Valorization for Sustainability and Competitiveness of the Industry

“…Reduction of blood glucose level via GLP-1 production [82] Reduction of carbohydrate absorption [83] Reduction of insulin resistance in diabetic patients [84] Hepatoprotective effects Reduction of serum ALT, AST, and GGT levels [40,85] Induction of liver antioxidant enzymes: SOD, GPx, CAT [40] Neuroprotective effects Alzheimer-preventing mechanisms: anxiolytic, sedative, and memory-enhancing properties [9,86] ALT: alanine aminotransferase; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; CAT: catalase; GGT: gamma-glutamyl transferase; GLP-1: glycoprotein 1; GPx: glutathione peroxidase; LDL-C: low-density lypoprotein cholesterol; SOD: superoxide dismutase; TC: total cholesterol.…”

“…The hepatoprotective effects of almond skins have been demonstrated in hepatotoxicity-induced in vivo models, showing that procyanidins-enriched extracts decreased the serum levels of both hepatic alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), as well as improving the levels of antioxidant enzymes in the liver, including GPx, SOD, and CAT [40]. Such effects found in vivo were recently assessed in a randomized controlled clinical trial, showing that almond consumption provoked a significant reduction in serum ALT, AST, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) after 12 weeks, thus promoting an effective liver protection in patients with coronary artery disease [85].…”