Pleiotropic Benefit of Monomeric and Oligomeric Flavanols on Vascular Health - A Randomized Controlled Clinical Pilot Study

Abstract

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases are expanding to a major social-economic burden in the Western World and undermine man's deep desire for healthy ageing. Epidemiological studies suggest that flavanol-rich foods (e.g. grapes, wine, chocolate) sustain cardiovascular health. For an evidenced-based application, however, sound clinical data on their efficacy are strongly demanded.MethodsIn a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled intervention study we supplemented 28 male smokers with 200 mg per day of monomeric and oligomeric flavanols (MOF) from grape seeds. At baseline, after 4 and 8 weeks we measured macro- and microvascular function and a cluster of systemic biomarkers for major pathological processes occurring in the vasculature: disturbances in lipid metabolism and cellular redox balance, and activation of inflammatory cells and platelets.ResultsIn the MOF group serum total cholesterol and LDL decreased significantly (P≤0.05) by 5% (n = 11) and 7% (n = 9), respectively in volunteers with elevated baseline levels. Additionally, after 8 weeks the ratio of glutathione to glutathione disulphide in erythrocytes rose from baseline by 22% (n = 15, P<0.05) in MOF supplemented subjects. We also observed that MOF supplementation exerts anti-inflammatory effects in blood towards ex vivo added bacterial endotoxin and significantly reduces expression of inflammatory genes in leukocytes. Conversely, alterations in macro- and microvascular function, platelet aggregation, plasma levels of nitric oxide surrogates, endothelin-1, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, prostaglandin F2alpha, plasma antioxidant capacity and gene expression levels of antioxidant defense enzymes did not reach statistical significance after 8 weeks MOF supplementation. However, integrating all measured effects into a global, so-called vascular health index revealed a significant improvement of overall vascular health by MOF compared to placebo (P≤0.05).ConclusionOur integrative multi-biomarker approach unveiled the pleiotropic vascular health benefit of an 8 weeks supplementation with 200 mg/d MOF in humans.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT00742287

Vasculoprotective Effects of Dietary Cocoa Flavanols in Patients on Hemodialysis

“…In CKD, an optimal DBP of $70 mmHg is associated with reduced mortality (44). Our observations are in line with published data showing improvements in microvascular functions after flavanol ingestion (45). This could benefit patients with hypertension, which is common in ESRD (18).…”

Dietary Flavanols Modulate the Transcription of Genes Associated with Cardiovascular Pathology without Changes in Their DNA Methylation State

“…An overview of the subsequent data analysis strategy and selection of RNA and DNA samples included in our data analyses is summarized in the flow chart ( figure 1 ). Differential blood counts [1] of the samples for which the whole genome methylation state could be determined did not indicate any significant changes in the total number of leukocytes and the various subpopulations during the 8 weeks intervention period ( table 2 ). …”

Masquelier’s grape seed extract: from basic flavonoid research to a well-characterized food supplement with health benefits

“…This novel approach enabled to capture the pleiotropic effects of Masqulier’s grape seed extract on vascular health in humans [114]. This physiological benefit can be briefly worded as “maintenance of vascular homeostasis”.…”

“…The most recent clinical data of Masquelier’s grape seed extract (embodied in the food supplement Anthogenol®) were obtained in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical study in healthy volunteers [114]. This study aimed at capturing the diverse effects of the grape seed-derived monomeric and oligomeric flavanols observed in all the previous studies by a broad panel of outcome parameters reflecting vascular function as well as cellular and subcellular processes in the human vasculature associated with cardiovascular pathologies.…”