Wild pistachio (Pistacia atlantica mutica) oil improve metabolic syndrome features in rats with high fructose ingestion

OBJECTIVE(S): Metabolic syndrome is a multiplex risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Since some dietary fats such as mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) modify metabolic syndrome components the aim of the present study was to evaluate the preventive effects of mixture, kernel and hull oils of wild pistachio (WP) (Pistacia atlantica mutica) as good sources of MUFA on different features of this abnormality in rats under induction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study rats were randomly assigned to six groups with 12 animals per group. Metabolic syndrome was induced by fructose solution in groups 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. Group 3 received sunflower oil and groups 4, 5, and 6 received mixture, hull and kernel oils of WP (2 ml/kg/day), respectively, for 10 weeks. Then, lipid profiles, glycemic indices, oxidative stress and inflammatory parameters were measured using standard laboratory tests. RESULTS: Different forms of WP oil induced hypotriglyceridemia, but the hypocholesterolemia effect was seen only in the mixed and kernel oil groups. Kernel oil also significantly reduced LDL and HDL cholesterol (P<0.05). In addition, mixed and kernel oils notably decreased glycemic indices (fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance) compared with the fructose group. Serum insulin levels were significantly increased in the kernel oil group (P<0.05). All WP oils also significantly decreased inflammation (IL-6). CONCLUSION: The results showed that the consumption of WP kernel oil may have beneficial effects on preventing hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, inflammation and pancreatic secretory disorders.