Fruit and vegetable consumption and proinflammatory gene expression from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in young adults: a translational study

Abstract

BackgroundFruits and vegetables are important sources of fiber and nutrients with a recognized antioxidant capacity, which could have beneficial effects on the proinflammatory status as well as some metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease features. The current study assessed the potential relationships of fruit and vegetable consumption with the plasma concentrations and mRNA expression values of some proinflammatory markers in young adults.MethodsOne-hundred and twenty healthy subjects (50 men/70 women; 20.8 ± 2.6 y; 22.3 ± 2.8 kg/m2) were enrolled. Experimental determinations included anthropometry, blood pressure and lifestyle features as well as blood biochemical and inflammatory measurements. The mRNA was isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and the gene expression concerning selected inflammatory markers was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. Nutritional intakes were estimated by a validated semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire.ResultsThe highest tertile of energy-adjusted fruit and vegetable consumption (>660 g/d) was associated with lower plasma concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP) and homocysteine and with lower ICAM1, IL1R1, IL6, TNFα and NFκB1 gene expression in PBMC (P for trend < 0.05), independently of gender, age, energy intake, physical activity, smoking, body mass index, systolic blood pressure and circulating non-esterified fatty acids. In addition, plasma CRP, homocysteine and TNFα concentrations and ICAM1, TNFα and NFκB1 gene expression in PBMC showed a descending trend as increased fiber intake (>19.5 g/d) from fruits and vegetables (P for trend < 0.05). Furthermore, the participants within the higher tertile (>11.8 mmol/d) of dietary total antioxidant capacity showed lower plasma CRP and mRNA values of ICAM1, IL1R1, IL6, TNFα and NFκB1 genes (P for trend < 0.05). The inverse association between fruit and vegetable consumption and study proinflammatory markers followed the same trend and remained statistically significant, after the inclusion of other foods/nutrients in the linear regression models.ConclusionA higher fruit and vegetable consumption was independently associated not only with reduced CRP and homocysteine concentrations but also with a lower mRNA expression in PBMC of some relevant proinflammatory markers in healthy young adults.

Effects of Weight Loss and Long-Term Weight Maintenance With Diets Varying in Protein and Glycemic Index on Cardiovascular Risk Factors

“…This might be related to expected reductions of postprandial glucose levels with low-glycemic-index diets, with glucose known to stimulate the expression of inflammatory genes by epigenetic mechanisms. 27,31,32 Furthermore, transient increases in glucose induce persistent changes in histone methylation patterns at promoters of inflammatory genes, [31][32][33][34] which is related to glucose-induced mitochondrial generation of oxygen radicals. Long-term increases in basal glucose concentrations are associated with both high fasting hsCRP indicates high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; CI, confidence interval.…”

Effects of a Supplementation of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids with or without Fish Gelatin on Gene Expression in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Obese, Insulin-Resistant Subjects

“…However, other components of the diet have also been suggested to be responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects. In fact, several in vitro studies have shown an anti-inflammatory effect of flavonoids and carotenoids, found mostly in fruits and vegetables, by an inhibition of NF-ĸB activity [31,32,33]. In sum, the results demonstrate modifications in the NF-ĸB signaling pathway; yet, there were no biochemical changes in inflammatory parameters after both supplementations.…”

Higher Fruit Intake Is Related to <b><i>TNF-α</i></b> Hypomethylation and Better Glucose Tolerance in Healthy Subjects

“…Hotamisligil [44] reported that the insulin receptor is an important target for TNF-α, and that this cytokine may be involved in the switch of tyrosine to serine phosphorylation. In this context, a beneficial effect of FV, in particular fruits, has been already described in relation to oxidative stress [5,45] and inflammation [6,46]. For example, it has been reported that a high FV intake reduces interleukin-6 and TNF-α concentrations and is associated with higher antioxidant capacity in plasma [46,47,48].…”

“…The occurrence of these foods in the habitual diet contributes to explain the ‘fiber hypothesis', which states that increased fiber intake protects against Western diseases [2]. In this context, several studies have reported an association between FV intake and lower risk of chronic illnesses, such as cardiovascular diseases [3], oxidative stress [4] including lower DNA oxidation [5], and inflammation, being the expression of inflammatory genes inversely proportional to the consumption of fruits [6]. A dietary pattern rich in fruits and dairy products has also been related to decreased odds of impaired blood glucose, hypertriglyceridemia and metabolic syndrome (MetS) risks [7].…”