Angiopoietin-Like Protein Responses to Pecan-Enriched Diets Versus a Nut-Excluded Diet

Daily pecan consumption improves fasting and postprandial triglycerides, but its effect on angiopoietin-like proteins (ANGPTLs) is unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of daily pecan consumption for 8 weeks on fasting and postprandial ANGPTL3, −8, and −4. This was an 8-week, randomized, controlled trial with three treatments: two pecan groups and a nut-free control group ( n = 16). The ADD group ( n = 15) consumed pecans (68 g) as part of a free-living diet, and the SUB group ( n = 16) substituted the pecans (68 g) for isocaloric foods from their habitual diet. Fifty-six participants were randomized but nine subjects did not begin or finish the 8-week intervention and/or testing visits. At pre- and post-intervention, a high saturated fat meal was consumed with 3.5 h postprandial blood draws to determine changes in ANGPTL3, −8, and −4. There was a significant suppression in postprandial ANGPTL3 from pre- to post-intervention within ADD and SUB ( P = .004 and P = .002, respectively) but not control (ns). There were no other changes within or between groups for fasting and postprandial outcomes. Daily pecan consumption improved postprandial ANGPTL3, which may mediate improvements in lipid metabolism.