Brazil Nut Supplementation Does Not Regulate PPARβ/δ Signaling Pathway in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Coronary Artery Disease Patients

Abstract

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)β/δ activation is a potential target for modulation of inflammation in cardiovascular disease. PPARβ/δ activation depends on the presence of a ligand, which may be pharmacological or natural, such as bioactive compounds and nutrients. Due to its composition, rich in selenium and unsaturated fatty acids, Brazil nuts have been related to reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in chronic non-communicable diseases and could regulate PPARβ/δ. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Brazil nut supplementation on PPARβ/δ mRNA expression in patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).Methods: A secondary analysis of a randomized controlled clinical trial was performed with 36 CAD patients. Patients were randomly assigned to either the Supplementation group or the control group and followed up for three months. The Supplementation group consumed 1 Brazil nut/day; the control group did not receive any intervention. At the baseline and after three months, analysis of gene expression and biochemical parameters linked to inflammatory biomarkers and oxidative stress was carried out.Results: In the supplementation group, no significant change was observed in PPARβ/δ (0.9 ± 0.5 vs 1.2 ± 0.6; p = 0.178) and NF-κB (1.6 ± 1.5 vs 0.8 ± 0.30, p = 0.554) mRNA expression. There were no significant changes in both groups concerning all the other biochemical parameters.Conclusion: One Brazil nut per day for three months was not able to increase the PPARβ/δ expression in CAD patients.

Keywords: Brazil nuts; Coronary artery disease; PPAR beta; PPAR delta; bertholletia.