Beneficial effects of legumes on parameters of the metabolic syndrome: a systematic review of trials in animal models

Abstract

Legume consumption plays a pivotal role in the prevention and treatment of the metabolic syndrome (MetS). This systematic review aimed to highlight the beneficial effects of legume interventions for the prevention and/or improvement of parameters related to the MetS and the implicated metabolic pathways so far reported. The methodology involved a search in four electronic databases (Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library) from January 2007 to December 2014, considering as descriptors 'Metabolic Syndrome' and 'Fabaceae' and adequately adjusting the equation in each one of them. In total, forty-one studies were finally included. The majority of the studies described a regulating effect on glucose and lipid metabolism due to legume administration, whereas effects on blood pressure and renal parameters are not fully described. Regarding the metabolic pathways involved, they include the up-regulation of genes related to β-oxidation and acetyl-CoA degradation and the down-regulation of glycolytic and lipogenesis genes, as well as those associated with the acetyl-CoA synthesis. The ameliorating effects of legume consumption on the alterations associated with the MetS are clearly reported and coincide with changes in the expression of protein and genes involved in lipid and glucose metabolism. More research needs to be conducted including more legume species that are highly consumed as part of a healthy dietary pattern.Key words: Metabolic syndrome: Insulin resistance: Fabaceae: Lipolysis: Metabolic pathwaysThe metabolic syndrome (MetS) represents a clustering of several metabolic disorders among which central obesity and insulin resistance are considered as causative factors (1,2) , affecting one-quarter of the world's adult population (3) . The initial concept of 'Syndrome X' was described by Reaven (4) , whereas the most recent diagnostic criteria, as established by the International Diabetes Federation in 2005 (5) , include obesity (waist circumference ≥ 102 cm in men or ≥88 cm in women), dyslipidaemia (TAG ≥ 150 mg/dl, HDL < 40 mg/dl in men or <50 mg/dl in women), hypertension (≥130 mmHg systolic or ≥85 mmHg diastolic) and alterations of glucose metabolism (>100 mg/dl; includes diabetes) (6) . Although the diagnostic criteria seem to be clear enough, the mechanisms underlying its pathology are not fully understood.Preventing the development of the MetS requires a multidisciplinary approach, whereas the first step on the treatment of this pathology is focused on the amelioration of the related metabolic alterations and includes mostly lifestyle modifications (7) . Nevertheless, in case such modifications prove to be inadequate, the next movement includes the prescription of appropriate pharmacological agents (8) . Among lifestyle strategies, low-fat/low-glycaemic-index diets and regular physical exercise are encountered (7) . For this reason, legumes have gained increasing interest given that their frequent consumption can help in the control of lipid homoeostasis and, consequently, reduce the ris...

Adherence to a plant-based, high-fibre dietary pattern is related to regression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in an elderly population

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