title: Brazilian nut consumption by healthy volunteers improves inflammatory parameters.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a single dose of Brazil nuts on the inflammatory markers of healthy individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized crossover study was conducted with 10 healthy individuals (mean age 24.7 ± 3.4 y). Each individual was tested four times regarding intake of different portions of Brazil nuts: 0, 5, 20 and 50 g. At each testing period, peripheral blood was collected before and at 1, 3, 6, 9, 24, and 48 h after intake of nuts, as well as at 5 and 30 d after intake of various Brazil nut portions. Blood samples were tested for high-sensitivity to C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ, aspartate and alanine aminotransferases, albumin, total protein, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, urea, and creatinine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Consumption of nuts did not affect biochemical parameters for liver and kidney function, indicating absence of hepatic and renal toxicity. A single intake of Brazil nuts (20 or 50 g) caused a significant decrease in serum IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ levels (P < 0.05), whereas serum levels of IL-10 were significantly increased (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate a long-term decrease in inflammatory markers after a single intake of large portions of Brazil nuts in healthy volunteers. Therefore, the long-term effect of regular Brazil nut consumption on inflammatory markers should be better investigated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Centers, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil; Department of Nutrition, Center Franciscan University, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: Elisângela
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Colpo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Centers, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dalton D A Vilanova
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory Analysis, University Hospital, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiz Gustavo B
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Reetz
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Centers, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil; Lutheran University of Brazil, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marta M M F
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.affiliation: Clinical Laboratory Analysis, University Hospital, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: Iria Luiza G
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Farias
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Centers, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daiane F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Meinerz
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Centers, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: Douglas O C
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Mariano
authors.affiliation: Department of Technology and Food and Science, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: Raquel G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Vendrusculo
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Pharmacy, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: Aline A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Boligon
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Centers, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cristiane L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Dalla Corte
authors.affiliation: Department of Technology and Food and Science, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: Roger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wagner
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Pharmacy, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil.
authors.forename: Margareth L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Athayde
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Natural and Exact Sciences Centers, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, Brazil. Electronic address: Jbtrocha@pq.cnpq.br.
authors.forename: João Batista T
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: da Rocha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D031383:Bertholletia; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D009754:Nuts; D012016:Reference Values; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines
keywords: C-reactive protein; Human; Interleukin; Nutrition; Oxidative stress; Selenium; Unsaturated fatty acids