Chronic pistachio intake modulates circulating microRNAs related to glucose metabolism and insulin resistance in prediabetic subjects.

Hernández-Alonso P, Giardina S, Salas-Salvadó J, Arcelin P, Bulló M.

Eur J Nutr. 2017;56(6):2181-2191.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of a pistachio-enriched diet on the profile of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) related to glucose metabolism and insulin resistance (IR).

A randomized crossover clinical trial in 49 subjects with prediabetes was performed. Subjects consumed a pistachio-supplemented diet (PD, 50 % carbohydrates, 33 % fat, including 57 g/day of pistachios) and an isocaloric control diet (CD, 55 % carbohydrates and 30 % fat) for 4 months each, separated by a 2-week washout period. The plasma profile of a set of seven predefined miRNAs related to glucose and insulin metabolism was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR.

Results showed that chronic pistachio consumption positively modulates the expression of some miRNA previously implicated on insulin sensitivity.