Abstract
Adipose tissue is a complex structure responsible for fat storage and releasing polypeptides (adipokines) and metabolites, with systemic actions including body weight balance, appetite regulation, glucose homeostasis, and blood pressure control. Signals sent from different tissues are generated and integrated in adipose tissue; thus, there is a close connection between this endocrine organ and different organs and systems such as the gut and the cardiovascular system. It is known that functional foods, especially different nuts, may be related to a net of molecular mechanisms contributing to cardiometabolic health. Despite being energy-dense foods, nut consumption has been associated with no weight gain, weight loss, and lower risk of becoming overweight or obese. Several studies have reported beneficial effects after nut consumption on glucose control, appetite suppression, metabolites related to adipose tissue and gut microbiota, and on adipokines due to their fatty acid profile, vegetable proteins, l-arginine, dietary fibers, vitamins, minerals, and phytosterols. The aim of this review is to briefly describe possible mechanisms implicated in weight homeostasis related to different nuts, as well as studies that have evaluated the effects of nut consumption on adipokines and metabolites related to adipose tissue and gut microbiota in animal models, healthy individuals, and primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention.
Highlights
Obesity is an established risk factor that predisposes to metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular disease (CVD) [1,2,3]
Since the discovery of its most characteristic secretory product, leptin [7,8], White adipose tissue (WAT) has been considered by many authors to be an endocrine organ [6], and a number of other signaling mediators secreted by adipose tissue have been identified since
Omentin-1 is expressed in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) cells [146] and is negatively associated with intima-media thickness, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), fasting glucose, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)
Summary
Obesity is an established risk factor that predisposes to metabolic abnormalities and cardiovascular disease (CVD) [1,2,3]. Communication between the intestine and other organs—including adipose tissue and the vascular system—occurs, among other forms, through metabolite formation by the microbiota These include short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and trimethylamine (TMA) [13], which may contribute to cardiometabolic disease pathophysiology [14]. Despite the high energy density, they are not associated with increased body weight, but with several benefits on cardiovascular health [17,18,19] In addition to their high content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), phytochemicals, dietary fibers, magnesium, L-arginine, and antioxidants compose these foods. We present clinical studies in humans that have evaluated the effect of nut consumption on adipokines, adipose tissue-related metabolites, and intestinal microbiota in healthy individuals, and on primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention
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