Journal Article

Baru Almonds Increase the Activity of Glutathione Peroxidase in Overweight and Obese Women: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Cunha, Luiz Carlos da, de Souza, Rávila Graziany Machado, Silva, Marina Alves Coelho, Junior, Fernando Barbosa, Mota, João Felipe, Gomes, Aline Corado, Navarro, Anderson Marliere

2019

Overview

Background: Obesity-induced inflammation is frequently associated with higher oxidative stress. In vitro and experimental studies have considered baru almonds (Dipteryx alata Vog) as a legume seed with high antioxidant capacity. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether baru almonds are capable of improving the inflammatory and antioxidant status in overweight and obese women. Methods: In a parallel-arm, randomized placebo-controlled trial, 46 overweight and obese women (age: 40 ± 11 years; body mass index: 33.3 ± 4.3) were randomly assigned to receive advice to follow a normocaloric and isoenergetic diet with placebo (PLA, n = 22) or similar advice plus 20 g baru almonds (BARU, n = 24) for 8 wk. Malondialdehyde (MDA), adiponectin, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, antioxidant enzymes activities (catalase—CAT; glutathione peroxidase—GPx; superoxide dismutase—SOD), and minerals were analyzed in plasma samples. Results: At baseline, groups were similar regarding the body composition, oxidative, and inflammatory parameters. The BARU group increased the activity of GPx (+0.08 U/mg, 95%CI + 0.05 to +0.12 vs. −0.07, 95%CI −0.12 to −0.03, p < 0.01) and plasma copper concentration (p = 0.037) when compared to the PLA group. No differences were observed between groups in CAT and SOD activity or MDA and cytokines concentrations. Conclusions: Baru almond supplementation increased the GPx activity in overweight and obese women.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: adiponectin / Adult / almonds / antioxidant activity / antioxidant enzymes / Antioxidants / Body Composition / body mass index / catalase / copper / Copper - blood / Cytokines / Diet / Dietary supplements / Dietitians / Dipteryx alata / Enzymes / Fatty acids / Female / Free radicals / Gastrointestinal surgery / Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic - drug effects / Glutathione / glutathione peroxidase / Glutathione Peroxidase - genetics / Glutathione Peroxidase - metabolism / Hormone replacement therapy / Humans / inflammation / interleukin-10 / interleukin-6 / Laboratories / Legumes / malondialdehyde / minerals / Nutrition research / Nuts / Obesity / Overweight - diet therapy / Oxidative stress / placebos / Prunus dulcis / Seeds / Selenium / superoxide dismutase / tumor necrosis factor-alpha / Tumor necrosis factor-TNF / Weight control / women