Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a metabolic disease, which occurs largely due to unhealthy lifestyle. As oxidative stress is believed to promote T2D, by inducing damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA, appropriate dietary interventions seem critical to prevent, manage, and even reverse this condition. Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa, H.B.K.) are nature’s richest source of selenium, a mineral that has shown several health benefits. Therefore, this study aims to assess the effects of selenium consumption, through Brazil nuts, on biochemical and oxidative stress parameters, and genomic instability in T2D patients. We recruited 133 patients with T2D, registered in the Integrated Clinics of the University of Southern Santa Catarina (Brazil). Participants consumed one Brazil nut a day for six months. Blood samples and exfoliated buccal cells were collected at the beginning and the end of the intervention. The glycemic profile, lipid profile, renal profile and hepatic profile, DNA damage and selenium content were evaluated. A total of 74 participants completed the intervention. Brazil nut consumption increased selenium and GSH levels, GPx, and CAT activity while DCF and nitrites levels decreased. Total thiols increased, and protein carbonyl and MDA levels decreased. Levels of baseline and oxidative DNA damage in T2D patients were significantly decreased, as well as the frequency of micronuclei and nuclear buds. The fasting glucose levels, HDL and LDL cholesterol, and GGT levels that increased significantly in patients with type 2 diabetes were significantly reduced with nut consumption. Our results show an increase in antioxidant activity, along with reductions of protein and lipid oxidation as well as DNA damage, suggesting that Brazil nut consumption could be an ally in reducing oxidative stress and modulating the genomic instability in T2D patients.

中文翻译：

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食用巴西坚果可减少超重 2 型糖尿病患者的 DNA 损伤

2型糖尿病（T2D）是一种代谢性疾病，其发生很大程度上是由于不健康的生活方式。由于氧化应激被认为会通过诱导脂质、蛋白质和 DNA 损伤而促进 T2D，因此适当的饮食干预似乎对于预防、管理甚至逆转这种情况至关重要。巴西坚果（Bertholletia excelsa，HBK）是自然界最丰富的硒来源，这种矿物质对健康有多种益处。因此，本研究旨在评估通过巴西坚果摄入硒对 T2D 患者生化和氧化应激参数以及基因组不稳定性的影响。我们招募了 133 名在南圣卡塔琳娜大学（巴西）综合诊所注册的 T2D 患者。参与者每天食用一颗巴西坚果，持续六个月。在干预开始和结束时收集血样和脱落的口腔细胞。评估血糖谱、血脂谱、肾脏谱和肝脏谱、DNA 损伤和硒含量。共有 74 名参与者完成了干预。巴西坚果的食用增加了硒和谷胱甘肽水平、GPx 和 CAT 活性，同时 DCF 和亚硝酸盐水平下降。总硫醇增加，蛋白质羰基和丙二醛水平下降。T2D 患者的基线水平和氧化 DNA 损伤水平显着降低，微核和核芽的频率也显着降低。2型糖尿病患者显着升高的空腹血糖水平、HDL和LDL胆固醇以及GGT水平随着坚果的摄入而显着降低。我们的结果显示，抗氧化活性增加，蛋白质和脂质氧化以及 DNA 损伤减少，这表明食用巴西坚果可能有助于减少 T2D 患者的氧化应激和调节基因组不稳定性。