flavan-3-ol and Atherosclerosis

In healthy participants, short-term flavan-3-ol and isoflavone intakes improve vascular function; however, the potential combined benefit of these compounds on atherosclerosis progression remains unclear for those at elevated risk of cardiovascular disease.. The objective was to examine whether combined isoflavone and flavan-3-ol intake alters vascular function in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).. A double-blind, parallel-design, placebo-controlled 1-y trial was conducted in postmenopausal T2DM patients randomly assigned to a split dose of 27 g flavonoid-enriched chocolate/d [850 mg flavan-3-ols (90 mg epicatechin) + 100 mg isoflavones (aglycone equivalents)/d] or matched placebo. Intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery (CCA-IMT), pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index, blood pressure (BP), and vascular biomarkers were assessed.. A total of 93 patients completed the trial. Overall, the flavonoid intervention did not significantly change CCA-IMT, augmentation index, or BP, but pulse pressure variability improved (flavonoid: -0.11 ± 0.07 mm Hg/min; placebo: 0.10 ± 0.11 mm Hg/min; P = 0.04). In a subgroup with PWV data, net improvements were observed [flavonoid (n = 18): -0.07 ± 0.38 m/s; placebo (n = 17): 0.68 ± 0.25 m/s; P = 0.01], which equated to a 10% CV risk reduction. Equol producers (n = 17) had larger reductions in diastolic BP, mean arterial pressure, and PWV (-2.24 ± 1.31 mm Hg, -1.24 ± 1.30 mm Hg, and -0.68 ± 0.40 m/s, respectively; P < 0.01) compared with non-equol producers (n = 30).. Although the 1-y intervention did not change CCA-IMT or BP, clinically relevant improvements in arterial stiffness were observed; equol producers were particularly responsive. Flavonoids may augment existing therapeutic strategies to reduce cardiovascular disease risk in postmenopausal T2DM patients, and longer studies are needed to examine the effects on atherosclerosis progression. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00677599.

Topics: Aged; Arterial Pressure; Atherosclerosis; Biomarkers; Carotid Artery, Common; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Diet; Disease Progression; Double-Blind Method; Female; Flavonoids; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Isoflavones; Middle Aged; Patient Compliance; Postmenopause; Pulse Wave Analysis; Vascular Stiffness

This study aimed to evaluate the protective role of ground raspberry seeds (RBS) as a source of polyphenols and essential fatty acids on blood plasma enzymatic antioxidant status, lipid profile, and endothelium-intact vasodilation during physiological and pathological conditions. Young normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKYs) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) at ten weeks of age were fed with either a control diet or were supplemented with added 7% RBS for six weeks (

Topics: Acetylcholine; Animals; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular Diseases; Catalase; Cyclooxygenase 2; Dietary Fiber; Dietary Supplements; Disease Models, Animal; Epoprostenol; Flavonoids; Hydrolyzable Tannins; Hypertension; Liver; Male; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II; Rats, Inbred SHR; Rats, Inbred WKY; Rubus; Vasodilation