Vascular action of polyphenols

Abstract

Dietary patterns are widely recognised as contributors to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Endothelial function, the elastic properties of large arteries and the magnitude and timing of wave reflections are important determinants of cardiovascular performance. Several epidemiological studies suggest that the regular consumption of foods and beverages rich in flavonoids is associated with a reduction in the risk of several pathological conditions ranging from hypertension to coronary heart disease, stroke and dementia. The impairment of endothelial function is directly related to ageing and an association between decreased cerebral perfusion and dementia has been shown to exist. Cerebral blood flow (CBF) must be maintained to ensure a constant delivery of oxygen and glucose as well as the removal of waste products. Increasing blood flow is one potential way for improving brain function and the prospect for increasing CBF with dietary polyphenols is extremely promising. The major polyphenols shown to have some of these effects in humans are primarily from cocoa, wine, grape seed, berries, tea, tomatoes (polyphenolics and nonpolyphenolics), soy and pomegranate. There has been a significant paradigm shift in polyphenol research during the last decade. This review summarises our current knowledge in this area and points the way for the development of new types of functional foods targeted to brain health through improving vascular health.

Etude de l’activité antifalcémiante d’extraits de racines de <i>Leptadenia hastata</i> Decne. (Asclepiadacae)

“…Dans la littérature (Aherne et al, 1999;Raison et al, 2013), il a été démontré que les flavonoïdes tels que la myricétine, la quercétine et la rutine ont des effets protecteurs contre les espèces réactives de l'oxygène. De plus, les flavonoïdes améliorent la fonction endothéliale en permettant l'activation de la synthèse de l'oxyde nitrique (Ghosh et al, 2009) vasorelaxant pouvant donc jouer un rôle important dans le traitement de la drépanocytose. La vaso-relaxation entraîne une meilleure circulation sanguine, ce qui permet d'éviter la survenue de crises vaso-occlusives.…”

Acute Effects of Polyphenols from Cranberries and Grape Seeds on Endothelial Function and Performance in Elite Athletes

“…Intake of dietary polyphenols not only enhances whole body antioxidant capacity [1], but also modulates endothelial function [2]. Polyphenols from various sources have also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties in non-athletes and in patients with coronary heart disease [3].…”

BacHBerry: BACterial Hosts for production of Bioactive phenolics from bERRY fruits

“…Flavonoids are characterized by their basic skeleton composed of three rings (Ghosh and Scheepens 2009), including two benzene rings (A & B) and one heterocyclic ring (C; Fig. 1b).…”