Positive Effects of a Mediterranean Diet Supplemented with Almonds on Female Adipose Tissue Biology in Severe Obesity.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether a Mediterranean diet supplemented with almonds (MDSA) improves obesity-related white adipose tissue dysfunction and associated cardiometabolic markers.
Results Summary
MDSA increased small adipocyte abundance, upregulated genes related to adipogenesis, angiogenesis, autophagy, and fatty acid usage, and reduced inflammatory markers and LDL-cholesterol. The study was limited by a small sample size and short duration.
Population
38 women with obesity.
Effective Dosage
Not specified (Mediterranean diet supplemented with almonds).
Duration
3 months.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mediterranean diet supplemented with almonds (MDSA) | increase | small adipocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT) | 38 women with obesity | - | favored the abundance | #1 |
Mediterranean diet supplemented with almonds (MDSA) | increase | expression of angiogenesis genes in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) | 38 women with obesity | - | increased | #2 |
Mediterranean diet supplemented with almonds (MDSA) | increase | expression of genes implicated in adipogenesis, angiogenesis, autophagy and fatty acid usage in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) | 38 women with obesity | - | upregulated | #3 |
Mediterranean diet supplemented with almonds (MDSA) | increase | PPARG, CD31+ cells and M2-like macrophages | 38 women with obesity | - | higher immunofluorescence staining for | #4 |
Mediterranean diet supplemented with almonds (MDSA) | increase | ADRB1 and UCP2 protein contents | 38 women with obesity | - | increased | #5 |
Mediterranean diet supplemented with almonds (MDSA) | decrease | circulating inflammatory markers | 38 women with obesity | - | significant reduction in | #6 |
Mediterranean diet supplemented with almonds (MDSA) | decrease | LDL-cholesterol levels | 38 women with obesity | - | significant reduction in | #7 |
Mediterranean diet supplemented with almonds | neutral | obesity-related white adipose tissue (WAT) dysfunction | 38 women with obesity | - | protective effect on | #8 |
It has been suggested that weight-loss-independent Mediterranean diet benefits on cardiometabolic health and diabetes prevention may be mediated, at least in part, through the modulation of white adipose tissue (WAT) biology. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of a dietary intervention based on the Mediterranean diet supplemented with almonds (MDSA) on the main features of obesity-associated WAT dysfunction. A total of 38 women with obesity were randomly assigned to a 3-month intervention with MDSA versus continuation of their usual dietary pattern. Subcutaneous (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) biopsies were obtained before and after the dietary intervention, and at the end of the study period, respectively. MDSA favored the abundance of small adipocytes in WAT. In SAT, the expression of angiogenesis genes increased after MDSA intervention. In VAT, the expression of genes implicated in adipogenesis, angiogenesis, autophagy and fatty acid usage was upregulated. In addition, a higher immunofluorescence staining for PPARG, CD31+ cells and M2-like macrophages and increased ADRB1 and UCP2 protein contents were found compared to controls. Changes in WAT correlated with a significant reduction in circulating inflammatory markers and LDL-cholesterol levels. These results support a protective effect of a Mediterranean diet supplemented with almonds on obesity-related WAT dysfunction.