Juglans regia Seeds have Effects on Platelets and Peripheral Fat Deposition in the Aorta and Heart of C57BL/6J Mice Fed with Normal and High Fat Simple Carbohydrate Diet

Abstract

Background: Consumption of nuts particularly walnuts has been widely recommended for lowering the risk of coronary heart disease; however, very few studies have evaluated the potential unfavourable effects that Walnut seeds might have in vivo. Objective: To investigate the long-term effects of Juglans regia seed supplementation in specially formulated feed when fed to developed mice model. Method: C57BL/6J male mice were divided into four groups, labelled, C (control), T (High Fat Simple Carbohydrate- HFSC), Cw (control + walnut) and Tw (HFSC+ walnut) based on diet. Four mice from each group were sacrificed at the end of the first and fifth month respectively. Blood samples were collected every month. Bleeding time, blood platelet number and morphology were studied. Histopathological analysis of heart and aorta were also performed. Results: Groups Cw and Tw showed a significant increase in platelet count; however, platelet activation was not detected. There was a trend to an increase in bleeding time in group Cw. Expanded lumen diameter of the aorta was observed in Cw and Tw mice initially, however, it was found to constrict by the end of the study. A large amount of peripheral fat deposition in the aortas of Cw and Tw was observed, which increased through the course of the experiment. Conclusion: Kashmiri walnut seed supplementation was found to reduce the signs in shape change of platelets as well as increase platelet number with a trend to an increased bleeding time. This observation could be of medical interest. Histopathological analysis of heart and aorta showed lipid sequestration which merits further investigations. Keywords: Kashmiri walnut seed, platelet number, platelet activation, histopathology, heart, aorta.