Effect of whole walnuts and walnut-skin extracts on oxidant status in mice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of the intake of whole walnuts and walnut fractions on the oxidant status in mice.


METHODS
Thirty-six C57BL/6J male mice were randomized to be fed one of three diets: 1) a standard diet (control group), 2) a standard diet with 10% of whole walnuts (walnut-diet group), or 3) a standard diet with 2% of walnut skins (walnut-skin-diet group) for 8 wk. The plasma antioxidant capacity was measured by oxygen radical-absorbance capacity and plasma ferric-reducing antioxidant potential. Conjugated diene formation and reduced glutathione levels were also analyzed.


RESULTS
We observed no changes in plasma oxidation capability between the walnut and walnut-skin groups with the exception of conjugated dienes. Plasma total antioxidant capacity and the ratio between reduced and oxidized forms of glutathione were lower in the walnut and walnut-skin groups than in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
The decrease in the antioxidant burden observed in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems after sustained consumption of a whole-walnut or a walnut-skin diet in mice may be related to the plasma oxidation capability being maintained in the groups consuming the walnut diets.
Bulló
Mónica
M
Human Nutrition Unit, Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Facultat de Medicinia i Ciències de la Salut, ISPV, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain. monica.bullo@urv.cat
Nogués
M Rosa
MR
López-Uriarte
Patricia
P
Salas-Salvadó
Jordi
J
Romeu
Marta
M
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004032:Diet; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000097:blood*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood*; D031324:Juglans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009754:Nuts; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation
D000975:Antioxidants; D005609:Free Radicals; D028321:Plant Preparations; D005978:Glutathione