Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) confers an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. NAFDL is associated with atherogenic dyslipidemia, inflammation and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) imbalance, which in turn lead to atherosclerotic lesions. In the present study, the impact of a natural dietary supplement (NDS) containing Curcuma longa, silymarin, guggul, chlorogenic acid and inulin on NAFLD and atherosclerosis was evaluated, and the mechanism of action was examined. C57BL/6 mice were fed an HFD for 16 weeks; half of the mice were simultaneously treated with a daily oral administration (os) of the NDS. NAFLD and atherogenic lesions in aorta and carotid artery (histological analysis), hepatic expression of genes involved in the NAFLD (PCR array), hepatic angiotensinogen (AGT) and AT₁R mRNA expression (real-time PCR) and plasma angiotensin (ANG)-II levels (ELISA) were evaluated. In the NDS group, steatosis, aortic lesions or carotid artery thickening was not observed. PCR array showed upregulation of some genes involved in lipid metabolism and anti-inflammatory activity (Cpt2, Ifng) and downregulation of some genes involved in pro-inflammatory response and in free fatty acid up-take (Fabp5, Socs3). Hepatic AGT, AT₁R mRNA and ANG II plasma levels were significantly lower with respect to the untreated-group. Furthermore, NDS inhibited the dyslipidemia observed in the untreated animals. Altogether, these results suggest that NDS prevents NAFLD and atherogenesis by modulating the expression of different genes involved in NAFLD and avoiding RAS imbalance.

The health benefits of nuts, mainly in relation to the improvement of dysmetabolic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and the related cardiovascular diseases, have been widely demonstrated. Compared to other nuts, pistachios have a lower fat and caloric content, and contain the highest levels of unsaturated fatty acids, potassium, γ-tocopherol, phytosterols and xanthophyll carotenoids, all substances that are well known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. This variety of nutrients contributes to the growing body of evidence that the consumption of pistachios improves health, leading to a greater potential of healthy antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, glycemic control, and endothelial function. The present review examines the nutrients and phytochemicals present in pistachios as well as the potential health benefits of including pistachios in a diet. Mechanisms by which pistachio consumption can positively affect the separate components of Metabolic Syndrome.

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is an extremely complex disease. A non-balanced diet such as high-fat diet (HFD) induces metabolic dysfunction that could modify redox homeostasis. We here aimed at exploring redox homeostasis in male Wistar rats, following 8 weeks of HFD, correlating the eventual modification of selected biomarkers that could be associated with the clinical manifestations of MetS. Therefore, we selected parameters relative to both the glucose tolerance and lipid altered metabolism, but also oxidative pattern. We assessed some biomarkers of oxidative stress i.e., thiols balance, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant barriers, via the use of specific biochemical assays, individuating eventual cross correlation with parameters relative to MetS through a Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The present study shows that 8 weeks of HFD induce MetS in rats, altering glucose and lipid homeostasis and increasing visceral adipose tissue, but also impairing the physiological antioxidant responses that could not counteract the oxidative stress condition. Crucially, cross-correlation analysis suggested that the assessment of specific oxidative stress parameters reported here can provide information comparable to the more widely acquired biomarkers of Mets such as glucose tolerance. Lastly, hepatic steatosis in association with the oxidative stress condition was also highlighted by histological analysis. This research will elucidate the fundamental impact of these oxidative stress parameters on MetS induced in the HFD rat model, tracing paths for developing prevention approaches.