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Introduction Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is as a potent proinflammatory factor acting as a chemoattractant for polymorph nuclear leukocytes and for other cells to damaged endothelium. Cytokines released by these cells [...], Background/objective: Cardiovascular risk depends largely on paraoxonase (PON-1) and apolipoprotein A4 (APOA4) gene polymorphisms. To compare the effects of consumption of walnut-enriched meat versus low-fat meat (LM) on selected soluble adhesion molecules and leukotrienes (LTB4). Subjects/Methods: In all 22 subjects at increased cardiovascular risk were taken. It is a non-blinded, cross-over, placebo-controlled study. Two 5-week experimental periods separated by 4-6 week wash-out interval. Participants consumed walnut-enriched meat during one period and LM during the other. Diet characteristics, HDLc, Apo A1, paraoxonase, sVCAM-1, sICAM-1 and LTB4 were analysed. PON-1 55, PON-1 192 and APOA4 360 polymorphism effects were also assessed. Results: Individuals consuming walnut-enriched meat displayed higher paraoxonase activity (P< 0.001), lower levels of sICAM and aVCAM (P = 0.046, P = 0.012, respectively) and leukotriene B4 (P = 0.044), and lower paraoxonase-1/HDLc and paraoxonase-1/Apo A1 ratios (both, P< 0.001) than those consuming LM. Paraoxonase levels correlated negatively with those of sICAM (r =-0.471, P Conclusions: Walnut-enriched meat appears as a functional meat as consumed in the framework of a mix diet lowered the concentration of some selected inflammatory chemoattractant biomarkers. This effect was largely influenced by PON-1 and Apo A4-360 polymorphisms. European journal of Clinical Nutrition (2011) 65, 703-710; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2011.20; published online 16 March 2011 Keywords: APOA4 polymorphism; PON-1 polymorphism; meat enriched in walnut paste; sVCAM-1; sICAM-1; leukotriene B4

Introduction Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 1 out of 16 young women (Ehrmann, 2005). These patients have irregular menstrual periods and infertility, and elevated androgen levels causing excess facial and [...], Background/Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is commonly associated with insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and increased inflammation, which all benefit from dietary intake of monounsaturated and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (MUFA and n-3 PUFA). Our goal was to compare the effects of MUFA-rich almonds vs n-3/n-6 PUFA-rich walnuts on metabolic and endocrine parameters in PCOS. Subjects/Methods: Thirty-one PCOS patients randomly received either walnuts or almonds containing 31 g of total fat per day for 6 weeks. At the beginning and at the end, anthropometric parameters, fasting lipids, phospholipid-fatty acids, inflammatory markers, androgens, oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) and frequently sampled intravenous-GTT were obtained. Results: Weight remained stable. Within group, walnuts increased the n-3/n-6 essential PUFA in the diet and plasma phospholipids. Walnuts decreased low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol by 6% from 3.76 ± 0.27 to 3.38 ± 0.22 mmol/l (P = 0.05) and apoprotein B by 11% from 0.72 ±0.04 to 0.64 ± 0.05 g/l (P Conclusion: Nut intake exerted beneficial effects on plasma lipids and androgens in PCOS. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2011) 65, 386-393; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2010.266; published online 15 December 2010 Keywords: PCOS; almonds; walnuts; monounsaturated fatty acids; polyunsaturated fatty acids

Introduction Frequent consumption of nuts may be protective against coronary heart disease (Hu and Stampfer, 1999). Nuts are rich in unsaturated fatty acids and contain potentially beneficial compounds including antioxidants, [...], Background/Objectives: A large intake of walnuts may improve lipid profile and endothelial function. The effect of moderate walnut consumption is not known. We investigated whether a moderate intake of walnuts would affect lipid profile, arterial stiffness and platelet activation in healthy volunteers. Subjects/Methods: A total of 30 healthy males were recruited into a single-blind randomized controlled crossover trial of 4 weeks of dietary walnut supplementation (15 g/day) and 4 weeks of control (no walnuts). Arterial stiffness was assessed using pulse waveform analysis to determine the augmentation index and augmented pressure. Platelet activation was determined using flow cytometry to measure circulating platelet-monocyte aggregates. Results: There were no differences in lipid profile after 4 weeks of walnut supplementation compared with control. Dietary intake of [alpha]-linolenic acid was increased during the walnut diet (2.1 [+ or -] 0.4 g/day versus 0.7 [+ or -] 0.4 g/day, P < 0.0001). There were no differences in augmentation index or augmented pressure during walnut supplementation. Walnut supplementation did not affect platelet-monocyte aggregation. Conclusions: Dietary intervention with a moderate intake of walnuts does not affect lipid profile, arterial stiffness or platelet activation in man. Our results suggest that the potentially beneficial cardiac effects of walnuts may not be apparent at lower and more practical levels of consumption. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2011) 65, 234-239; doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.233; published online 3 November 2010 Keywords: walnuts; lipids; platelet activation; arterial stiffness; cardiovascular disease

Introduction It is widely recognized that diet is one of the important factors in lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. Dietary guidelines for cardiovascular disease prevention emphasize the reduction of [...], Background/Objectives: Walnuts have been shown to reduce serum lipids in short-term well-controlled feeding trials. Little information exists on the effect and sustainability of walnut consumption for longer duration in a free-living situation. Subjects/Methods: A randomized crossover design in which 87 subjects with normal to moderate high plasma total cholesterol were initially assigned to a walnut-supplemented diet or habitual (control) diet for a 6-month period, then switched to the alternate dietary intervention for a second 6-month period. Each subject attended seven clinics 2 months apart. At each clinic, body weight was measured, and in five clinics (months 0, 4, 6, 10 and 12), a blood sample was collected. Results: Our study showed that supplementing a habitual diet with walnuts (12% of total daily energy intake equivalent) improves the plasma lipid profile. This beneficial effect was more significant in subjects with high plasma total cholesterol at baseline. Significant changes in serum concentrations of total cholesterol (P = 0.02) and triglycerides (P = 0.03) were seen and nearly significant changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (P = 0.06) were found. No significant change was detected in either high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol LDL to HDL ratio. Conclusions: Including walnuts as part of a habitual diet favorably altered the plasma lipid profile. The lipid- lowering effects of walnuts were more evident among subjects with higher lipid baseline values, precisely those people with greater need of reducing plasma total and LDL-C. European journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) 64, 274-279; doi:10.1038/ejcn.2009.152; published online 20 January 2010 Keywords: walnuts; total cholesterol; triglyceride; LDL-C

After evaluating the 24-h dietary recalls and compliance method, we found that subjects while on the walnut-supplemented diet had a higher total energy consumption than during the control diet. The [...]

In the March 2010 issue of EJCN, Torabian et al. (2010) reported the effects of walnut consumption on serum lipids, specifically, total serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. This [...]

Feldman EB. J Nutr 2002; 132:S1062-S1101. The author and four independent experts evaluated the intent and quality of scientific evidence for a potential beneficial health relationship between the intake of [...]