Association of dietary intake of fruit and green vegetables with PTEN and P53 mRNA gene expression in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues of obese and non-obese adults

Objective The present study investigates the association of dietary intake of fruit and green Vegetables with PTEN and P53 mRNA gene expression in visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissues (SAT) of obese and non-obese adults. Methods VAT and SAT were obtained from 151 individuals, aged similar to 40 years, who had undergone elective abdominal surgery. The participants were grouped according to their body mass index (BMI), as obese (BMI > 30 kg/m(2)) and non-obese (BMI = 18.5-30 kg/m2). Dietary intakes were obtained using a valid and reliable food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Real-time PCR was carried out for PTEN and P53 mRNA expressions. Associations between expression levels and dietary parameters were analyzed. Results P53 mRNA expression of obese participants was significantly higher than the non-obese, only in VAT (p < 0.001). After adjusting for total energy intake, age and BMI, fruit intake was inversely associated with P53 gene expression in both VAT (beta = -0.38, P = 0.01) and SAT (beta = -0.35, P = 0.03) among non-obese participants. Furthermore, fruit consumption was inversely associated with P53 gene expression in obese individuals, only in VAT (beta = -0.21, P = 0.05). More so, intake of green vegetables in obese subjects was negatively associated with P53 gene expression in VAT (beta = -0.27, P = 0.01) and SAT (beta = -0.28, P < 0.001). On the other hand, after adjustment for total energy intake, age and BMI, a positive association was observed between fruit intake and PTEN in VAT (beta = 0.27, P = 0.01) and SAT (beta = 0.34, P < 0.001) among obese participants. In addition, dietary consumption of fruits in non-obese individuals was negatively associated withPTEN expression in SAT (beta = -0.48, P < 0.001). Conclusion Dietary intake of fruit and green vegetables was associated with P53 gene expression in VAT and SAT of obese participants, suggesting their protective role in regulating P53 mRNA expression in adipose tissue. Furthermore, higher fruit intake was inversely associated with PTEN mRNA levels in non-obese participants, implying the anti-adipogenic role of PTEN gene expression.