Hazelnut consumption decreases the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation, plasma oxidized LDL level and increases the ratio of large/small LDL in normolipidemic healthy subjects

Objective: Nut consumption has beneficial effects on protection for development of atherosclerotic process. Methods: Single intervention study design was used to determine the effects of hazelnut-enriched diet (1 g/kg/day) during 4 weeks period on atherogenic tendency of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by evaluating susceptibility of LDL to oxidation, alpha-tocopherol content of LDL, LDL subfractions, plasma oxidized (ox) LDL, lipid and lipoprotein levels in normolipidemic healthy subjects (n=21). Statistical analysis was performed using paired t test, ANOVA for repeated measurements test, Pearson's and Spearman correlation analyses. Results: Lag time for oxidation (baseline 54.6 +/- 12.3 min, 15(th) day 59.3 +/- 13.4 min, 30(th) day 65.2 +/- 17.8 min, p=0.001) and alpha-tocopherol content of LDL (baseline 4.82 +/- 1.2 mu g/mg LDL protein, 15(th) day 4.88 +/- 1.4 mu g/mg LDL protein, 30(th) day 5.35 +/- 1.7 mu g/mg LDL protein, p=0.02) were found to be increased while ox-LDL levels (baseline 57.2 +/- 16.2 U/L, 15(th) day 51.2 +/- 13.6 U/L, 30(th) day 48.2 +/- 14.2 U/L, p=0.001) decreased during the study period. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein (apo) B and apo B/apo Al ratio were found to be significantly lower while apo Al was higher (p<0.05). In respect to LDL subfraction, ratio of large/small LDL was significantly increased at the end of the study (baseline 3.79 +/- 1.35, 15(th) day 3.41 +/- 1.60, 30(th) day 4.28 +/- 2.44, p=0.046). Conclusion: Hazelnut-enriched diet may play important role in decrease in atherogenic tendency of LDL by lowering the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation and plasma ox-LDL levels, and increasing the ratio of large/small LDL beyond its beneficial effect on lipid and lipoprotein levels. (Anadolu Kardiyol Derg 2010; 10: 28-35)