Nuts consumption and hypertension risks in children: a mediating role of circulating lipid metabolites

Abstract

Background Although nuts play an important role in preventing cardiovascular disease, the metabolic cues by which nuts regulate blood pressure have not been fully understood.Aims:We conducted a nested case–control study in a prospective cohort study of Southwest China children to explore the potential lipid metabolites related to the relationship between nut dietary and blood pressure. Methods Forty-three hypertension cases and 53 controls serum samples were obtained for lipidomic data analysis using a liquid chromatography mass spectrometry platform. Results We identified four lipid metabolites that are associated with nut intake by a generalized linear model and logistic regression analysis, including phosphatidylglycerol 43:6 [PG (43:6)], phosphatidylcholine 18:0/20:3 [PC (18:0/20:3)], and two phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) compounds [PE (P-16:0/20:4) and PE (P-22:0/18:2)]. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the levels of PG (43:6) and PE (P-16:0/20:4) were negatively associated with hypertension in children, which might be useful biomarkers for predicting childhood hypertension. Further mediation analysis revealed that PG (43:6) and PC (18:0/20:3) function as mediating variables between nut intake and blood pressure levels. Conclusion This study provides scientific evidence that nut consumption induces some beneficial changes in lipid metabolism, which may reduce the risk of hypertension in children.

Keywords

• nuts
• hypertension
• children
• lipid metabolite
• diet