title: Characterization of Khorasan wheat (Kamut) and impact of a replacement diet on cardiovascular risk factors: cross-over dietary intervention study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Khorasan wheat (Kamut) is an ancient grain with widely acclaimed beneficial effects on human health. The objective was to characterise Kamut and to examine the effect of a replacement diet with their products on cardiovascular risk parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a randomized, single-blinded cross-over trial with two intervention phases on 22 healthy subjects (14 females; 8 males). The participants were assigned to consume products (bread, pasta and crackers) made either from Kamut or control semi-whole-grain wheat for 8 weeks in a random order. An 8-week washout period was implemented between the interventions. Laboratory analyses were performed both at the beginning and at the end of each intervention phase.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At a general linear model for repeated measurements adjusted for several confounders, consumption of Kamut products showed a significant reduction of metabolic risk factors such as total cholesterol (mean reduction: -8.46 mg/dl; -4%), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-9.82 mg/dl; -7.8%) and blood glucose. Similarly, redox status was significantly improved only after the Kamut intervention phase, as measured by a reduction in both thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (-0.17 nmol/ml; -21.5%;) and carbonyl levels (-0.16 nmol/ml; -17.6%). The replacement diet with Kamut products also resulted in a significant increase of serum potassium and magnesium. Circulating levels of key pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-6, IL-12, tumour necrosis factor-α and vascular endothelial growth factor) were significantly reduced after the consumption of Kamut products.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present results suggest that a replacement diet with Kamut products could be effective in reducing metabolic risk factors, markers of both oxidative stress and inflammatory status.
authors.affiliation: Agency of Nutrition, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy. francescosofi@gmail.com
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sofi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Whittaker
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cesari
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gori
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fiorillo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Becatti
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Marotti
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dinelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Casini
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Abbate
authors.forename: G F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Gensini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benedettelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D050050:Protein Carbonylation; D012307:Risk Factors; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013045:Species Specificity; D014908:Triticum / Q000145:classification
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D002784:Cholesterol; D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium