Epicatechin ingested via cocoa products reduces blood pressure in humans: a nonlinear regression model with a Bayesian approach

Ellinger, Sabine; Reusch, Andreas; Stehle, Peter; Helfrich, Hans‐Peter

doi:10.3945/ajcn.111.029330

Cited by 82 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…Although cocoa-based supplements and dark chocolate typically contain several different classes of flavanoids, cocoa-induced reductions in blood pressure have been specifically attributed to the quantity of EPI consumption (9,24,40). The reduced MAP reported presently was likely the result of slight improvements in peripheral vascular function given that similar HRs and skeletal muscle blood flows between control and EPI groups suggest unchanged cardiac outputs.…”

Section: Epi Administration Cardiovascular Hemodynamics and Muscle mentioning

confidence: 79%

(−)-Epicatechin administration and exercising skeletal muscle vascular control and microvascular oxygenation in healthy rats

Copp

White

Hirai

et al. 2013

American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology

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Consumption of the dietary flavanol (-)-epicatechin (EPI) is associated with enhanced endothelial function and augmented skeletal muscle capillarity and mitochondrial volume density. The potential for EPI to improve peripheral vascular function and muscle oxygenation during exercise is unknown. We tested the hypothesis that EPI administration in healthy rats would improve treadmill exercise performance secondary to elevated skeletal muscle blood flow and vascular conductance [VC, blood flow/mean arterial pressure (MAP)] and improved skeletal muscle microvascular oxygenation. Rats received water (control, n = 12) or 4 mg/kg EPI (n = 12) via oral gavage daily for 24 days. Exercise endurance capacity and peak O(2) uptake (Vo(2) peak) were measured via treadmill runs to exhaustion. MAP (arterial catheter) and blood flow (radiolabeled microspheres) were measured and VC was calculated during submaximal treadmill exercise (25 m/min, 5% grade). Spinotrapezius muscle microvascular O(2) pressure (Po(2mv)) was measured (phosphorescence quenching) during electrically induced twitch (1 Hz) contractions. In conscious rats, EPI administration resulted in lower (↓~5%) resting (P = 0.03) and exercising (P = 0.04) MAP. There were no differences in exercise endurance capacity, Vo(2) peak, total exercising hindlimb blood flow (control, 154 ± 13; and EPI, 159 ± 8 ml·min(-1)·100 g(-1), P = 0.68), or VC (control, 1.13 ± 0.10; and EPI, 1.24 ± 0.08 ml·min(-1)·100 g(-1)·mmHg(-1), P = 0.21) between groups. Following anesthesia, EPI resulted in lower MAP (↓~16%) but did not impact resting Po(2mv) or any kinetics parameters (P > 0.05 for all) during muscle contractions compared with control. EPI administration (4 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1)) improved modestly cardiovascular function (i.e., ↓MAP) with no impact on exercise performance, total exercising skeletal muscle blood flow and VC, or contracting muscle microvascular oxygenation in healthy rats.

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Section: Epi Administration Cardiovascular Hemodynamics and Muscle mentioning

confidence: 79%

(−)-Epicatechin administration and exercising skeletal muscle vascular control and microvascular oxygenation in healthy rats

Copp

White

Hirai

et al. 2013

American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Many studies have focused on the protective effects of pure (-)-epicatechin in the cardiovascular system . For example, it has been shown that (-)-epicatechin improves vascular function in humans, as evaluated by measuring flow mediated dilation, and that its content correlates with blood pressure lowering effect of flavanol-rich food (Ellinger et al, 2012;Schroeter et al, 2006). In addition, experiments in animal models have also demonstrated that (-)-epicatechin prevents and reverses hypertension, improves endothelial dysfunction, reduces the vascular oxidative stress and proinflammatory status, early events involved in development of atherosclerosis and insulin resistance (Galleano et al, 2013;Gó-mez-Guzmán et al, 2012Litterio et al, 2012;VazquezPrieto et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanisms underlying the vasorelaxation of human internal mammary artery induced by (-)-epicatechin

Novakovic

Marinko

Vranic

et al. 2015

European Journal of Pharmacology

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“…cocoa and dark chocolate) has been associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) (1–5). Evidence suggests that the beneficial effects of cacao-based products may be mediated by improving endothelial function primarily, through an increase in the production of nitric oxide (NO) (3).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of (−)-epicatechin on endothelial cells involve the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER)

Moreno‐Ulloa

Méndez-Luna

Beltrán-Partida

et al. 2015

Pharmacological Research

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We have provided evidence that the stimulatory effects of (−)-epicatechin ((−)-EPI) on endothelial cell nitric oxide (NO) production may involve the participation of a cell-surface receptor. Thus far, such entity(ies) has not been fully elucidated. The G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) is a cell-surface receptor that has been linked to protective effects on the cardiovascular system and activation of intracellular signaling pathways (including NO production) similar to those reported with (−)-EPI. In bovine coronary artery endothelial cells (BCAEC) by the use of confocal imaging, we evidence the presence of GPER at the cell-surface and on F-actin filaments. Using in silico studies we document the favorable binding mode between (−)-EPI and GPER. Such binding is comparable to that of the GPER agonist, G1. By the use of selective blockers, we demonstrate that the activation of ERK 1/2 and CaMKII by (−)-EPI is dependent on the GPER/c-SRC/EGFR axis mimicking those effects noted with G1. We also evidence by the use of siRNA the role that GPER has on mediating ERK1/2 activation by (−)-EPI. GPER appears to be coupled to a non Gαi/o or Gαs, protein subtype. To extrapolate our findings to an ex vivo model, we employed phenylephrine pre-contracted aortic rings evidencing that (−)-EPI can mediate vasodilation through GPER activation. In conclusion, we provide evidence that suggests the GPER as a potential mediator of (−)-EPI effects and highlights the important role that GPER may have on cardiovascular system protection.

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Epicatechin ingested via cocoa products reduces blood pressure in humans: a nonlinear regression model with a Bayesian approach

Abstract: Blood pressure reduction by consumption of cocoa products depends on the dose of ingested epicatechin, which explains most of the between-study differences in classical meta-analyses. Similar effects may be achieved by consumption of other foods that are also rich in epicatechin.

Cited by 82 publications

References 64 publications

(−)-Epicatechin administration and exercising skeletal muscle vascular control and microvascular oxygenation in healthy rats

(−)-Epicatechin administration and exercising skeletal muscle vascular control and microvascular oxygenation in healthy rats

Mechanisms underlying the vasorelaxation of human internal mammary artery induced by (-)-epicatechin

The effects of (−)-epicatechin on endothelial cells involve the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER)

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