Dark chocolate modulates platelet function with a mechanism mediated by flavan-3-ol metabolites

Abstract

Cocoa is a rich source bioactive compounds, i.e., flavan-3-ols, and its consumption has been associated with several beneficial effects, such as the positive modulation of the hemostasis targeted by the platelet function. However, these phenolic compounds have a very low bioavailability and extensively undergo phase I and II metabolism, with the appearing into the bloodstream of (epi)catechin conjugates and phenyl-γ-valerolactones and their conjugates, at different times.The aims of this study were to explore the effect of dark chocolate on platelet function and to investigate the relationship between this interplay and flavan-3-ol derived metabolites.Eighteen healthy male volunteers ingested 50 g of 90% cocoa chocolate within 5 minutes. Blood samples were collected immediately before chocolate ingestion (T0) and 4 hours afterwards (T1). Platelet function analyzer (PFA)-100 closure time was assessed using collagen/adenosine-5′-diphosphate (COL/ADP) and collagen/epinephrine (COL/EPI) cartridges. Plasma flavan-3-ol metabolites were identified and quantified by means of liquid chromatography coupled to a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS).Results evidenced a significant increase of COL/ADP-induced PFA-100 closure time, but not COL/EPI, 4 hours after ingestion of dark chocolate. Total plasma structurally-related (epi)catechin metabolite (SREM) concentration significantly increased at T1, together with 4 out of the 6 detected metabolites. Total phenyl-γ-valerolactone concentrations remained unchanged. Spearman correlations evidenced a strong correlation between COL/ADP closure time and SREMs, mainly led by (epi)catechin-sulfate isomers.These data confirm that the potential beneficial effect of dark chocolate on primary hemostasis may be mediated by flavan-3-ol circulating metabolites.

Flavanol Bioavailability in Two Cocoa Products with Different Phenolic Content. A Comparative Study in Humans

“…Neither un-metabolized epicatechin and catechin nor procyanidins B1 and B2 were detected in the collected biological fluids in agreement with previous studies [4,11,16,22,23,24,25]. Only Schroeter et al [26] described the presence of epicatechin and catechin in plasma after the ingestion of powdered cocoa drinks with a high flavanol content (917 mg).…”

“…However, other studies have shown a correlation between the effect of dark chocolate (50 g, providing 7.5 gallic acid equivalents (GAE) of polyphenols) improving platelet function and the increased plasma concentrations of structurally-related (epi)catechin metabolites (SREM). These data confirm that the potential health benefits of cocoa consumption may be mediated by flavan-3-ol circulating metabolites [11], in spite of the limited bioavailability of cocoa polyphenols.…”

Cocoa Polyphenols and Gut Microbiota Interplay: Bioavailability, Prebiotic Effect, and Impact on Human Health

“…Therefore, these various metabolites reach their plasma peak nearly 2 h following oral intake [ 27 , 49 ]. Several sulfates, glucuronide, and methyl metabolites of epicatechin have been identified in the plasma and urine after ingestion of 100 g of dark chocolate [ 55 ].…”

Acute Intake of a Grape and Blueberry Polyphenol-Rich Extract Ameliorates Cognitive Performance in Healthy Young Adults During a Sustained Cognitive Effort

“…Phenolic metabolites were then extracted and concentrated using a solid phase extraction (SPE) method previously reported [33] and were analysed by a UHPLC DIONEX Ultimate 3000 equipped with a triple quadrupole TSQ mass spectrometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., San José, CA, USA) fitted with a heated-ESI (H-ESI) (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., San José, CA, USA) probe. Chromatographic separation, ionisation parameters, and spectrometric characteristics of the considered compounds were set as previously reported [34,35]. Quantification was performed with calibration curves of standards, when available or using the most structurally similar compound [34,35].…”

“…Chromatographic separation, ionisation parameters, and spectrometric characteristics of the considered compounds were set as previously reported [34,35]. Quantification was performed with calibration curves of standards, when available or using the most structurally similar compound [34,35]. Data processing was performed using Xcalibur software (Thermo Scientific Inc., Waltham, MA, USA).…”