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.