Effects of plant and animal high protein diets on immune-inflammatory biomarkers: A 6-week intervention trial

Background & aims: Pro-inflammatory biomarkers are well-established contributors to insulin resistance and represent valid targets for diabetes management and prevention. Yet, little is known whether nutrition could play a role in modulating various aspects of immune-inflammatory responses. Our aim is to assess the effect of isocaloric animal and plant protein dietary interventions on selected biomarkers representing various immune-inflammatory pathways. Methods: We enrolled 37 participants with type 2 diabetes (age 64 6 years, body mass index 30.2 +/- 3.6 kg/m(2), glycated hemoglobin 7.0 +/- 0.6%) who underwent an either high-animal protein (AP) or high-plant protein (PP) diet (30 E% protein, 40 E% carbohydrates, 30 E% fat) for 6-weeks. Clinical examinations were performed at beginning and end of the study. Levels of pro-inflammatory adipokines [chemerin, progranulin], cytokines [tumor necrosis factor alpha (INF-alpha), interleukin 6 (IL-6), soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1)], and proteins [calprotectin, lactoferrin and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15)] were determined in blood serum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Chemerin and progranulin concentrations decreased following AP and PP diets. TGF-beta 1 increased in AP and decreased in PP, whereas calprotectin increased in PP and decreased in AP. No statistically significant differences in the concentrations of IL-6, INF-alpha, suPAR, lactoferrin and GDF-15 could be seen in either of the protein diet arms. Conclusions: These results suggest that both AP and PP diets may effectively reduce the levels of the pro-inflammatory adipokines chemerin and progranulin. The effects on the additional immune-inflammatory biomarkers seem to be more complex. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd.