Investigation of the association between pistachio consumption and kidney plus liver function parameters: A Cross-Sectional study using the data from the Rafsanjan Cohort Study (2022)

Zahra Jamali (PhD)^1,2, Seyed Mahdi Pourtorabi (MD)³, Hassan Ahmadinia (PhD)⁴, Mojgan Noroozi-Karimabad (PhD)^5*

¹ Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

² Clinical Research Development Unit (CRDU), Niknafs Hospital, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

³ Student Research Committee, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

⁴ Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Occupational Environmental Research Center, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

⁵ Molecular Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran

Received:12.03.2023 Accepted:01.05.2023

Abstract

Aim and objectives: One of the key elements in the emergence of liver and renal disorders is thought to be oxidative stress. Antioxidants are abundant in pistachios. Thus, the purpose of this study was to inspect the relationship between kidney as well as liver function and pistachio intake.

Methodology: As part of the Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN (PERSIAN), cross-sectional research was carried out using data from the baseline phase of the Rafsanjan Cohort research (RCS). There were 5597 participants in this research, ages 35 to 70, including 3020 men and 2577 women. A validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) of 128 questions was used to gather dietary consumption data. Using a Biotecnica analyzer, the following enzymes were measured: creatinine (Cr), BUN, γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The MDRD formula was employed to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) from serum creatinine. The relationship between pistachio intake and liver plus kidney function markers was examined using multiple logistic regression models.

Results: Participants with higher consumption of pistachio were more likely to be male and had significantly lower mean age as well as higher levels of education and wealth score index (WSI). After adjusting for confounding variables, no significant association was seen between liver function parameters (AST, ALT, GGT, and ALP) or kidney function parameters (BUN, Cr, and GFR) and any quartile of pistachio consumption (p>0.05).

Conclusion: The current investigation found that, following correction for confounding factors, there was no statistically significant variation between the various quartiles of pistachio intake and measures related to liver function (AST, ALT, GGT, and ALP) and renal function (BUN, Cr, and GFR).

►Please cite this article as follows:

Jamali Z, Pourtorabi SM, Ahmadinia H, Noroozi-Karimabad M. Investigation of the association between pistachio consumption and kidney plus liver function parameters: A Cross-Sectional study using the data from the Rafsanjan Cohort Study (2022). Pistachio and Health Journal. 2023;6(1-2):16-27.