Effects of pistachios on cardiovascular disease risk factors and potential mechanisms of action: a dose-response study

Abstract

Background: Nut consumption lowers cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Studies are lacking about the effects of pistachios, a nutrient-dense nut, on CVD risk factors, dose-response relations, and lipid-lowering mechanisms. Objective: We evaluated the effects of 2 doses of pistachios, added to a lower-fat diet, on lipids and lipoproteins, apolipoprotein (apo)-defined lipoprotein subclasses, and plasma fatty acids. To investigate the mechanisms of action, we measured cholesteryl ester transfer protein and indexes of plasma stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity (SCD). Design: In a randomized crossover controlled-feeding study, 28 individuals with LDL cholesterol ͧ 2.86 mmol/L consumed 3 isoenergetic diets for 4 wk each. Baseline measures were assessed after 2 wk of a typical Western diet. The experimental diets included a lower-fat control diet with no pistachios [25% total fat; 8% saturated fatty acids (SFAs), 9% monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and 5% polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)], 1 serving/d of a pistachio diet (1 PD; 10% of energy from pistachios; 30% total fat; 8% SFAs, 12% MUFAs, and 6% PUFAs), and 2 servings/d of a pistachio diet (2 PD; 20% of energy from pistachios; 34% total fat; 8% SFAs, 15% MUFAs, and 8% PUFAs). Results: The 2 PD decreased (P 0.05 compared with the control diet) total cholesterol (Ҁ8%), LDL cholesterol (Ҁ11.6%), non-HDL cholesterol (Ҁ11%), apo B (Ҁ4%), apo B/apo A-I (Ҁ4%), and plasma SCD activity (Ҁ1%). The 1 PD and 2 PD, respectively, elicited a dose-dependent lowering (P 0.05) of total cholesterol/ HDL cholesterol (Ҁ1% and Ҁ8%), LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol (Ҁ3% and Ҁ11%), and non-HDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol (Ҁ2% and Ҁ10%). Conclusions: Inclusion of pistachios in a healthy diet beneficially affects CVD risk factors in a dose-dependent manner, which may reflect effects on SCD.Am J Clin Nutr 2008;88:651-9.

Health Benefits of Nut Consumption

“…Recent well controlled intervention studies with walnuts [71,72,73,74], almonds [75], hazelnuts [76], pistachios [77], macadamias [78], and peanuts [79] showed LDL-cholesterol reductions ranging from 4% to 11% versus comparator diets, confirming the cholesterol-lowering efficacy of various nut types. A Mediterranean diet supplemented with 30 g of mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds and hazelnuts) per day also showed beneficial effects on the lipid profile compared with advice on a low-fat diet in diabetic and non diabetic participants in the PREDIMED study, a randomized trial of dietary intervention for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease [80].…”

Polymeric proanthocyanidins from Sicilian pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) nut extract inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response in RAW 264.7 cells

“…Studies on properties and bioactivity of this nut to date are limited with respect to other nuts such as walnuts, peanuts, and almonds. Pistachio nut consumption has been shown to have positive effects on serum lipid profile and CVD risk factors in healthy as well as hypercholesterolemic humans [16][17][18][19]. Potential mechanisms of the cardiovascular protective action have been suggested, including effects on plasma stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity [19].…”

“…Pistachio nut consumption has been shown to have positive effects on serum lipid profile and CVD risk factors in healthy as well as hypercholesterolemic humans [16][17][18][19]. Potential mechanisms of the cardiovascular protective action have been suggested, including effects on plasma stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity [19]. More recent studies in healthy subjects showing that a pistachio diet for 4 weeks significantly improves endothelial function and oxidative status and is associated with lower levels of circulating inflammatory biomarkers [20] may suggest that anti-inflammatory activities of nut components play a role in preventing pathogenetic events leading to CVD.…”

Effects of different forms of hazelnuts on blood lipids and α-tocopherol concentrations in mildly hypercholesterolemic individuals

“…Both epidemiological studies (Fraser et al, 1992;Kushi et al, 1996;Albert et al, 2002;Hu and Willett, 2002) and clinical trials (Kris-Etherton et al, 1999a;Rajaram et al, 2001;Sabate et al, 2003;Gebauer et al, 2008;Griel et al, 2008;Banel and Hu, 2009;Phung et al, 2009;Torabian et al, 2010) have consistently shown that nuts can have an important role in the management of plasma lipids, and reduce CVD morbidity and mortality. The American Heart Association recommends the consumption of nuts as a means of replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fats (Krauss et al, 2000).…”

“…Although numerous clinical studies and reviews have consistently shown the hypocholesterolemic effects of several nuts, such as almonds (Sabate et al, 2003;Phung et al, 2009), macadamia nuts (Griel et al, 2008), peanuts (Kris-Etherton et al, 1999a), pecans (Rajaram et al, 2001), pistachio nuts (Gebauer et al, 2008) and walnuts (Banel and Hu, 2009;Torabian et al, 2010), few studies have investigated hazelnuts. To date, only three short-term intervention trials have assessed the effects of hazelnut supplementation on blood lipids (Alphan et al, 1997;Durak et al, 1999;Mercanligil et al, 2007).…”