title: Influence of pistachios on performance and exercise-induced inflammation, oxidative stress, immune dysfunction, and metabolite shifts in cyclists: a randomized, crossover trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pistachio nut ingestion (3 oz./d, two weeks) was tested for effects on exercise performance and 21-h post-exercise recovery from inflammation, oxidative stress, immune dysfunction, and metabolite shifts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a randomized, crossover approach, cyclists (N = 19) engaged in two 75-km time trials after 2-weeks pistachio or no pistachio supplementation, with a 2-week washout period. Subjects came to the lab in an overnight fasted state, and ingested water only or 3 oz. pistachios with water before and during exercise. Blood samples were collected 45 min pre-exercise, and immediately post-, 1.5-h post-, and 21-h post-exercise, and analyzed for plasma cytokines, C-reactive protein (CRP), F2-isoprostanes (F2-IsoP), granulocyte phagocytosis (GPHAG) and oxidative burst activity (GOBA), and shifts in metabolites.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Performance time for the 75-km time trial was 4.8% slower under pistachio conditions (2.84 ± 0.11 and 2.71 ± 0.07 h, respectively, P = 0.034). Significant time effects were shown for plasma cytokines, CRP, F2-IsoP, GPHAG, and GOBA, with few group differences. Metabolomics analysis revealed 423 detectable compounds of known identity, with significant interaction effects for 19 metabolites, especially raffinose, (12Z)-9,10-Dihydroxyoctadec-12-enoate (9,10-DiHOME), and sucrose. Dietary intake of raffinose was 2.19 ± 0.15 and 0.35 ± 0.08 mg/d during the pistachio and no pistachio periods, and metabolomics revealed that colon raffinose and sucrose translocated to the circulation during exercise due to increased gut permeability. The post-exercise increase in plasma raffinose correlated significantly with 9,10-DiHOME and other oxidative stress metabolites.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In summary, 2-weeks pistachio nut ingestion was associated with reduced 75-km cycling time trial performance and increased post-exercise plasma levels of raffinose, sucrose, and metabolites related to leukotoxic effects and oxidative stress.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01821820.
authors.affiliation: Appalachian State University, Human Performance Lab, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, United States of America.
authors.forename: David C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Nieman
authors.affiliation: Department of Prevention and Sports Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universitaet Muenchen, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Scherr
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, 800 Xiangyin Road, Shanghai, 200433, China.
authors.forename: Beibei
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Appalachian State University, Human Performance Lab, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, United States of America.
authors.forename: Mary Pat
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Meaney
authors.affiliation: Charlotte Research Institute & Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC, United States of America.
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dréau
authors.affiliation: Bioinformatics Services Division, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, United States of America.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sha
authors.affiliation: Appalachian State University, Human Performance Lab, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC, United States of America.
authors.forename: Dustin A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Dew
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Immunology Laboratory, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, United States of America.
authors.forename: Dru A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Henson
authors.affiliation: Metabolon Inc., Durham, NC, United States of America.
authors.forename: Kirk L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Pappan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes; D001642:Bicycling; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005098:Exotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology; D028441:F2-Isoprostanes / Q000097:blood; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000166:cytology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D055432:Metabolomics; D008875:Middle Aged; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010539:Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D005082:Physical Exertion; D027927:Pistacia / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011887:Raffinose / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology; D013395:Sucrose / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D005098:Exotoxins; D028441:F2-Isoprostanes; C018579:leukotoxin; D013395:Sucrose; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D011887:Raffinose