Applied nutritional investigationEffect of non-soy legume consumption on inflammation and serum adiponectin levels among first-degree relatives of patients with diabetes: A randomized, crossover study

- In a within-group analysis, a legume diet reduced high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in all participants.
- In a within-group analysis, a legume diet reduced hs-CRP in women.
- In a within-group analysis, a legume diet reduced interleukin-6 in women.
- In a within-group analysis, habitual diet reduced adiponectin in men.
- A legume diet reduced percent change of hs-CRP in all participants and in the female subgroup.

ObjectiveFirst-degree relatives of patients with diabetes are at more risk for endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of a non-soy legume-enriched diet on inflammatory biomarkers and serum adiponectin levels among first-degree relatives of these patients.MethodsTwenty-six participants (14 women and 12 men) with a family history of diabetes were recruited to this randomized, crossover study. Participants were randomly assigned to a legume-enriched or a habitual diet for 6 wk that was separated by a 2-wk washout. The inflammatory markers-high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and serum levels of adiponectin-were measured at the beginning and the end of each intervention period according to the standard protocol.ResultsEnergy intake of participants was not statistically different between the two diets (1821.5 ± 100.11 versus 1788.2 ± 92.68 kcal/d, respectively). After consumption of a legume diet, percent change of hs-CRP reduced significantly compared with consumption of a habitual diet (−4.86% ± 1.86% versus 3.55% ± 1.97%, P = 0.002) and among the women in the study (−12.96% ± 1.96% versus 3.24% ± 2.65%, P = 0.004). The percent change of other inflammatory markers and serum concentrations of adiponectin were not significantly different between the two diet groups.ConclusionThe results of this study showed that a legume-enriched diet significantly reduced the hs-CRP concentrations in first-degree relatives of patients with diabetes after 6 wk of intervention compared with a habitual diet.