scholarly journals Effects of dark chocolate and cocoa consumption on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in overweight adults

2013 ◽  
Vol 111 (4) ◽  
pp. 653-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sheila G. West ◽  
Molly D. McIntyre ◽  
Matthew J. Piotrowski ◽  
Nathalie Poupin ◽  
Debra L. Miller ◽  
...  

The consumption of cocoa and dark chocolate is associated with a lower risk of CVD, and improvements in endothelial function may mediate this relationship. Less is known about the effects of cocoa/chocolate on the augmentation index (AI), a measure of vascular stiffness and vascular tone in the peripheral arterioles. We enrolled thirty middle-aged, overweight adults in a randomised, placebo-controlled, 4-week, cross-over study. During the active treatment (cocoa) period, the participants consumed 37 g/d of dark chocolate and a sugar-free cocoa beverage (total cocoa = 22 g/d, total flavanols (TF) = 814 mg/d). Colour-matched controls included a low-flavanol chocolate bar and a cocoa-free beverage with no added sugar (TF = 3 mg/d). Treatments were matched for total fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates and protein. The cocoa treatment significantly increased the basal diameter and peak diameter of the brachial artery by 6 % (+2 mm) and basal blood flow volume by 22 %. Substantial decreases in the AI, a measure of arterial stiffness, were observed in only women. Flow-mediated dilation and the reactive hyperaemia index remained unchanged. The consumption of cocoa had no effect on fasting blood measures, while the control treatment increased fasting insulin concentration and insulin resistance (P= 0·01). Fasting blood pressure (BP) remained unchanged, although the acute consumption of cocoa increased resting BP by 4 mmHg. In summary, the high-flavanol cocoa and dark chocolate treatment was associated with enhanced vasodilation in both conduit and resistance arteries and was accompanied by significant reductions in arterial stiffness in women.

Circulation ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 132 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgia Siasou ◽  
Gerasimos Siasos ◽  
Marilita M Moschos ◽  
Nikolaos Gouliopoulos ◽  
Evangelos Oikonomou ◽  
...  

Introduction: Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is one of the most prevalent causes of irreversible blindness and is associated with endothelial dysfunction and arterial stiffness. Pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEG) is another type of glaucoma observed in pseudoexfoliation syndrome. It is characterized by the deposition of pseudoexfoliative material not only to the anterior segment of the eye, but also to the vessels, heart and other organs. Hypothesis: Endothelial function and arterial stiffness are impaired in patients with POAG and PEG supporting the significant role of vascular function impairment in the progression of the disease. Methods: Forty four POAG patients, 22 PEG and 38 healthy subjects (Cl) were included in this study. All subjects were free of cardiovascular or inflammatory diseases. Endothelial function was evaluated by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured as an index of aortic stiffness and augmentation index (AIx) as a measure of arterial wave reflections Results: Between the three study groups CL, POAG, PEG there was no difference in age (67±10years vs. 70±9years vs. 66±12yeras, p=0.12) or prevalence of male sex (70% vs. 57% vs. 50%, p=0.21). Importantly, there was a linear impairment of FMD (7.35±2.77% vs. 6.58±3.18% vs. 4.88±3.29%, p=0.006), PWV (7.98±1.56m/sec vs. 9.20±1.84m/sec vs. 9.22±2.16m/sec, p=0.004) and AIx (21.29±8.77% vs. 25.14±5.71% vs. 28.20±8.75%, p=0.002) from CL to POAG and PEG. Interestingly post hoc test after Scheffe correction revealed also that PEG subjects had not only significantly impaired FMD, compared to control subjects, but also compared to POAG subjects (4.88±3.29% vs. 6.58±3.18%, p=0.02). Conclusions: Endothelial function and arterial stiffness are significantly impaired in patients with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma. These findings shed some light in the pathophysiology of pseudoexfoliative glaucoma and support the theory that pseudoexfoliative fibrils may also accumulate and damage the arterial wall.


Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Miller ◽  
Valerie Beach ◽  
Charles Mangano ◽  
Jeffrey Rhyne ◽  
Christina Dobmeier ◽  
...  

Background : While the effect of popular diets on weight loss has been extensively studied, less is known in the absence of weight loss. We hypothesized that a diet high in total and saturated fat would be associated with adverse effects on LDL-C, endothelial function and biomarkers of atherothrombosis compared to lower fat diets. Methods : We tested 3 popular diets, including Atkins (50% fat), South Beach (30% fat) and Ornish (10% fat) in a randomized and counterbalanced, crossover study. Subjects completed each of the three 4-week dietary intervention phases followed by a 4-week washout period. They were weighed weekly and caloric adjustments made if weight change exceeded 1 kg. At the completion of each dietary phase, 3-day food records were analyzed, fasting blood was sampled and brachial artery reactivity testing (BART) performed. Results : Eighteen of 26 adults (mean age: 30.6 ± 9.6 yrs, 50% female) completed all 3 dietary phases. There were no changes in weight at the conclusion of each phase. However, non-significant increases in LDL-C occurred during the Atkins phase (pre: 96.5, post: 112.9 mg/dL; P=0.12 ), whereas LDL-C was reduced during the Ornish (pre: 110.1, post: 84.6 mg/dL; P=0.006 ) and South Beach phases (pre: 101.7, post: 91.5 mg/dL; P=0.01 ). BART testing revealed a significant inverse correlation between flow-mediated vasodilation and intake of total fat (r 2 =−0.29; P=0.03 ), saturated fat (r 2 =−0.31; P=0.02 ) and monounsaturated fat (r 2 =−0.35; P=0.01 ). Microarray analysis demonstrated increased expression of several leukocyte biomarkers including, ICAM2 (37%; P=0.002 ), SELL (26%; P=0.007 ) and SOD1 (42%; P=0.04 ) at the completion of the Atkins diet compared to baseline. In contrast, expression of atherothrombotic biomarkers was not increased after the South Beach or Ornish phase. Conclusions: In the absence of weight loss, the high fat Atkins diet is associated with increased LDL-C, reduced endothelial vasoreactivity and increased expression of biomarkers of atherothrombosis. As such, these data suggest that isocaloric conversion to the Atkins diet may negatively impact cardiovascular health as compared to the South Beach or Ornish Diet.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinmei Luo ◽  
Xiaona Wang ◽  
Zijian Guo ◽  
Yi Xiao ◽  
Wenhao Cao ◽  
...  

Objective: An effective clinical tool to assess endothelial function and arterial stiffness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is lacking. This study evaluated the clinical significance of subclinical markers for OSA management in males without serious complications.Patients/Methods: Males without serious complications were consecutively recruited. Clinical data, biomarker tests, reactive hyperemia index (RHI), and augmentation index at 75 beats/min (AIx75) measured by peripheral arterial tonometry were collected. An apnea hypopnea index (AHI) cutoff of ≥15 events/h divided the patients into two groups.Results: Of the 75 subjects, 42 had an AHI ≥15 events/h. Patients with an AHI ≥15 events/h had higher high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor, and AIx75 values than the control group but no statistical difference in RHI was observed. After controlling for confounders, TNF-α was negatively correlated with the average oxygen saturation (r = −0.258, P = 0.043). RHI was correlated with the rapid eye movement (REM) stage percentage (r = 0.306, P = 0.016) but not with AHI (P > 0.05). AIx75 was positively correlated with the arousal index (r = 0.289, P = 0.023) but not with AHI (r = 0.248, P = 0.052).Conclusions: In males with OSA without severe complications, TNF-α and AIx75 are independently related to OSA. The role of RHI in OSA management requires further elucidation. These markers combined can comprehensively evaluate OSA patients to provide more evidence for the primary prevention of coronary heart disease and treatment response assessment.


Circulation ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 118 (suppl_18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stella Brilli ◽  
Dimitris Tousoulis ◽  
Charalambos Antoniades ◽  
George Hatzis ◽  
Nikos Ioakeimidis ◽  
...  

Background: Marfan syndrome is characterised by high risk of aortic dissections and increased cardiovascular risk. However, the impact of Marfan syndrome on endothelial function and arterial stiffness is unclear, while the role of matrix metalloproteinases is unknown. We examined the impact of Marfan syndrome on the elastic properties of the arterial tree, and vascular endothelial function, and we evaluated the potential role of matrix metalloproteinases in these effects. Methods: The study population consisted of 17 subjects with Marfan syndrome, aged 26.6±2.3 years old, with BMI 20.5±1.03Kg/m2 and 22 healthy individuals matched for gender, age (26.4±0.78 years old, p=NS) and BMI (22.4±0.86 Kg/m2). Arterial stiffness was evaluated by measuring carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV), while augmentation pressure and augmentation index (AIx) were also determined, as measures of arterial wave reflections. Endothelial function was evaluated by determining flow mediated dilation (FMD) in the brachial artery while matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) levels were determined by ELISA. Results: Patients with Marfan syndrome had significantly lower pulse pressure in the radial artery (41.0±1.07mmHg) compared to controls (51.3±4.4mmHg). In addition, patients had higher AIx (17.6±2.4%) and augmentation pressure (5.44±0.65mmHg) compared to controls (7.72±3.43% and 2.41±1.14mmHg respectively, p<0.05 for both). However, the difference in PWV between patients and controls did not reach statistical significance (6.33±0.33 vs 5.96±0.23m/s respectively, p=NS). Patients with Marfan syndrome had lower FMD (2.05±1.13%) and higher plasma MMP-9 (827±70ng/ml) compared to controls (6.8±2.3% p<0.05 and 326±50ng/ml, p<0.01). Conclusions: Marfan syndrome is associated with increased MMP-9 levels, as well as with elevated augmentation index and augmentation pressure compared to healthy individuals, matched for age, gender and body mass index. Moreover, flow-mediated dilation is also impaired in these subjects. These findings suggest that Marfan syndrome directly affects the elastic properties and endothelial function of the arterial tree, with matrix metalloproteinases being important mediators in the pathophysiology of this syndrome.


Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 3983-3983
Author(s):  
Maya Koren-Michowitz ◽  
Batia Avni ◽  
Irma Zur ◽  
Yulia Volcheck ◽  
Naomi Rahimi-Levene ◽  
...  

Abstract Essential thrombocytosis (ET) is a myeloproliferative disorder whose main complication is thrombothic events. Reduction of platelet count is associated with a decrease in the risk for thrombosis. Recently it was shown that although anagrelide and hydroxyurea lower platelet counts to the same extent, hydroxyurea decreased the rate of arterial thrombosis and increased the rate of venous thrombosis compared to anagrelide. The reason for the different effects is unknown. The endothelium has important antithrombotic properties. Therefore, we hypothesized that hydroxyurea and anagrelide may have different effects on endothelial function in patients with ET. Thirty patients with ET were studied; 12 treated with anagrelide and 18 with hydroxyurea. Endothelial function was assessed using a semi-automated pulse wave analysis system (SphygmoCor PVX, AtCor Medical, Sydney Australia). Pulse wave is recorded at the radial artery. Using a validated transfer function, the following variables are determined: central systolic blood pressure (CSBP); augmentation index (AIx), a reflection of arterial stiffness; augmentation index adjusted for heart rate (AIx@75). Measurements were taken at baseline, after inhalation of terbutaline 500 mcg (representing endothelial dependent vasodilation due to NO synthesis), and after sublingual nitroglycerine 400 mcg (representing endothelial independent vasodilation). The difference between baseline AIx and maximum response after terbutaline and nitroglycerine are given as EDV (endothelial dependent vasodilation) and EIV (endothelial independent vasodilation), respectively. There was no difference between the two groups of patients with regard to disease duration, age, gender, prior thrombotic events and risk factors for atherosclerosis including BMI, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking history and hypertension. Mean Hct and platelet count was the same in both groups of patients. However, WBC and neutrophil counts were lower in patients treated with hydroxyurea compared to the patients treated with anagrelide (WBC 6.2±1.4 K/μl vs. 8.4±3.4 K/μl, p=0.07, neutrophils 4.0±1.2 K/μl vs. 6.3±2.9 K/μl, p=0.05). Parameters of arterial stiffness and endothelial function did not differ significantly between the two groups of patients (Table 1). There was no correlation between platelet count and endothelial function, however a correlation between CSBP and age was found (R= 0.615 p&lt;0.001). In conclusion: our preliminary results do not support a different effect for hydroxyurea and anagrelide on arterial stiffness and endothelial function in patients with ET. In accordance with previous reports we found a lower neutrophil count in the group of patients on hydroxyurea therapy. This may affect the interaction between neutrophils and the vessel wall thereby decreasing the rate of arterial thrombosis. Table 1 Therapy (N) Anagrelide (12) Hydroxyurea (18) CSBP mmHg 120±14 122±21 AIx % 26±12 33±11 AIx@75 % 25±10 27±10 EDV % −2±8.6 0.6±7.5 EIV % −11±9 −15±7


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Degnan ◽  
Nandini Shah ◽  
David M. Carty ◽  
John R. Petrie ◽  
Christian Delles ◽  
...  

Background. Peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) is a novel, non-invasive and operator-independent method for simultaneous assessment of endothelial function and arterial stiffness. We examined the repeatability of PAT in females and the influence of the estrous cycle. Methods. In 14 healthy female and five healthy male control subjects, PAT was performed on three separate occasions with 10 days between visits. Reactive hyperemia index (RHI), a measure of endothelial function, and peripheral augmentation index (AIx), a measure of arterial stiffness, were determined with the EndoPAT-2000 system. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated as a measure of repeatability. Results. In both female and male groups, RHI and AIx did not differ between the three measurements (all n.s. by 1-way ANOVA). In females, reanalyzing the data after taking phase of estrous cycle into account had no effect on the results. Repeatability for RHI and AIx in females (ICC for RHI = 0.43, ICC for AIx = 0.78) was similar to that in male subjects (ICC for RHI = 0.42, ICC for AIx = 0.63). Conclusions. PAT measurements were not affected by the estrous cycle in females, and repeatability was comparable to that in males. This should facilitate inclusion of female subjects into vascular function studies using PAT.


2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (Suppl. 2) ◽  
pp. S330-S331
Author(s):  
N. Alexopoulos ◽  
C. Vlachopoulos ◽  
K. Aznaouridis ◽  
N. loakeimidis ◽  
D. Tsekoura ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew O. Agbaje ◽  
Alan R. Barker ◽  
Tomi-Pekka Tuomainen

Abstract Background A temporal association where better arterial function and structure predicts adiponectin level and skeletal muscle mass during childhood remains uninvestigated. Methods We studied 5566 children and adolescents (51% girls) aged 9-11 years from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) birth cohort, Bristol, UK. Brachial artery endothelial function was determined using flow-mediated dilation (FMD), expressed as the percentage change in diameter from baseline after reactive hyperemia; arterial elasticity as distensibility coefficient (DC) expressed in mean percentage change in cross-sectional area relative to blood pressure (BP); and arterial stiffness by carotid to radial pulse wave velocity (crPWV). Skeletal muscle mass and total fat mass were assessed by dual-energy Xray absorptiometry. We conducted multivariable linear regressions with Sidak correction and adjusted for age, sex, total fat mass, cardiorespiratory fitness, pubertal status, brachial artery diameter, systolic BP, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, mother’s social-economic class, and time (years) between the measurement of predictors and outcomes. Results FMD (β [95% CI]) = (0.027 [0.007 to 0.047]; P = 0.009) and DC (0.229 [0.088 to 0.369]; P = 0.001) were directly associated with skeletal muscle mass. FMD had a borderline inverse association with adiponectin (-0.004 [-0.008 to &lt; 0.0001]; P = 0.056). crPWV was unrelated to adiponectin and skeletal muscle mass, while DC was not associated with adiponectin. Conclusions Better endothelial function and arterial elasticity were associated with higher skeletal muscle mass while arterial stiffness was unrelated to adiponectin and lean mass. Key message Healthy arterial function and structure may enhance muscle growth in children.


Author(s):  
Zh. D. Kobalava ◽  
V. V. Kireeva ◽  
V. S. Chernomorets ◽  
E. A. Troitskaya ◽  
Yu. V. Stavtseva

Aim. To study the effects of fixed-dose indapamide/perindopril combination on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in patients with uncontrolled stage 1-2 hypertension (HTN) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).Material and methods. Total of 100 patients with uncured or uncontrolled with ≥3 months antihypertensive therapy HTN and CKD G3 (67% females, mean age 59,1±12,5 years) were included in the study. Each patient took indapamide/perindop combination in accordance with 1 of 3 existing regimes (depending on doses) for 3 months. Primary aim was to assess the effects of indapamide/perindopril combination on endothelial function and parameters of arterial stiffness after 12 weeks of treatment (assessment by AngioScan diagnostic complex). Secondary aims were achievement of target blood pressure (BP) after 4 and 12 weeks of therapy and assessment of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the albumin-tocreatinine ratio (ACR) changes after 12 weeks.Results. Initially, there was an increase in arterial stiffness parameters in all patients, and during treatment decrease was observed: central systolic BP (SBP) from 120±10,1 to 112,9±6,3 mm Hg, median augmentation index from 10,9% to 4,6%, stiffness index from 8,1±2,4 to 7,1±0,9, vascular age decreased by 9,6% (р< 0,001 for trend). Significant improvement of endothelial function was observed regardless of diabetes presence: occlusion index increased from 1,5±0,3 to 1,7±0,5, median phase shift — from -4,6 to -2,4 ms (p< 0,01). After 4 weeks, 27% of patients reached target BP, by the end of the study — 90%. A decrease in the median ACR from 16,3 to 15,0 mg/g, GFR increase from 50,2±7,6 to 53,6±8,7 ml/min/1,73 m2 were observed (p< 0,01 for trend).Conclusion. Therapy with a fixed-dose indapamide/perindopril combination in patients with uncontrolled stage 1-2 HTN and G3 CKD leads to a significant improvement in arterial stiffness, endothelial and renal function, and achievement of target BP in 90% of patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Anastasiou ◽  
E Oikonomou ◽  
G Vogiatzi ◽  
G Siasos ◽  
Z Flora ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Both anthracyclines and trastuzumab are key regiments for the treatment of breast cancer, but their concurrent use is contraindicated because of their cardiotoxicity. Their effects on vascular function have been less well studied. Purpose We explored the effects of the anthracycline-based chemotherapy followed by trastuzumab-based treatment on endothelial function and arterial stiffness in patients with breast cancer. Methods 46 female patients (54.56±11.5 years old) with breast cancer scheduled for anthracycline-based chemotherapy followed by the combination of trastuzumab and taxane were enrolled. Trastuzumab was continued until the completion of one-year treatment. All participants underwent assessment of the brachial flow mediated dilatation (FMD), endothelial independent dilatation (EID), carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AIx) at baseline (BL), at the end of anthracycline treatment (FU1), 3 months following initiation of trastuzumab with taxane (FU2) and at the completion of treatment with trastuzumab (FU3). Results Over the follow-up period (15 months) there was significant deterioration in FMD (p=0.04) (Table 1, Figure 1). Importantly, while there was no significant difference in FMD between BL vs FU1 (p=0.6), FMD has been significantly deteriorated over the treatment with trastuzumab with taxane FU1 vs FU2 (p=0.01) and FU2 vs FU3 (p=0.01) (Table 1, Figure 1). EID did not change over the follow-up period (Figure 1). Similarly, PWV has been significantly increased over the follow up period (p=0.03). There was no significant difference in PWV BL vs FU1 (p=0.1), however PWV has been significantly increased over the treatment with trastuzumab with taxane FU1 vs FU 2 (p=0.02) and FU2 vs FU3 (p=0.01) (Table 1, Figure 1). A similar pattern of impairment was observed with AIx (Table 1, Figure 1). Conclusion We report a significant adverse effect of the anthracycline- and trastuzumab-based therapy on the arterial stiffness and endothelial function. This effect is more considerable after the exposure to trastuzumab. Figure 1. Changes of FMD, PWV, Alx, EID during FU Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document