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- Title
Effects of cocoa extracts on endothelium-dependent relaxation.
- Authors
Karim, M; McCormick, K; Kappagoda, C T
- Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of procyanidins derived from cocoa on vascular smooth muscle. Two hypotheses were tested: 1) extracts of cocoa, which are rich in procyanidins, cause endothelium-dependent relaxation (EDR), and 2) extracts of cocoa activate endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS). The experiments were carried out on aortic rings obtained from New Zealand White rabbits. The polymeric procyanidins (tetramer through decamer of catechin) caused an EDR. In addition, the Ca(2+)-dependent NOS activity, measured by the L-arginine to L-citrulline conversion assay, was significantly increased in aortic endothelial cells exposed to polymeric procyanidins, whereas monomeric compounds had no such effect. These findings demonstrate that polymeric procyanidins cause an EDR that is mediated by activation of NOS.
- Publication
The Journal of nutrition, 2000, Vol 130, Issue 8S Suppl, p2105S
- ISSN
0022-3166
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.1093/jn/130.8.2105S