Oat‐enriched diet reduces inflammatory status assessed by circulating cell‐derived microparticle concentrations in type 2 diabetes

SCOPE: Inflammatory status can increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events linked to platelet activity and involvement of microparticles (MP) released from platelets (PMP), leukocytes (LMP), and monocytes (MMP). These MP carry host cell‐derived antigens that may act as markers of metabolic health. Subjects newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are offered appropriate standard dietary advice (SDA) but this may not be optimal as specific inclusion of other nutrients, such as oats, may add benefit. The effectiveness of such interventions can be tested by examination of MP activation markers. METHODS AND RESULTS: Subjects (n = 22) with type 2 diabetes participated in a randomized cross‐over trial involving 8 wk interventions with either an oat‐enriched diet (OAT) or following reinforced SDA. Responses were also compared with preintervention habitual (HAB) intake. OAT reduced the concentrations and proportions of fibrinogen‐ and tissue factor‐related PMP and MMP_11b. The main effect of SDA was to reduce fibrinogen‐activated PMP. Regardless of chronic intake, a healthy test meal led to postprandial declines in total PMP as well as tissue factor‐, fibrinogen‐, and P‐selectin‐positive PMP. CONCLUSION: OAT improved risk factors assessed by MP status, even in subjects with type 2 diabetes already well‐controlled by diet and life‐style alone.