Effects of dark chocolate on endothelial function in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis
; 28(2): 143-149, 2017 11 13.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29329924
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIM:
Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in inducing endothelial dysfunction and progression from simple fatty liver steatosis (FLD) to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Polyphenols could reduce oxidative stress and restore endothelial function by inhibiting the nicotinamide-adenine-dinucleotide-phosphate (NADPH) oxidase isoform Nox2. The aim of this study was to assess endothelial function and oxidative stress in a population affected by simple FLD and NASH. Furthermore, we analysed the effect of high vs low content of cocoa polyphenols on endothelial function and oxidative stress in patients with NASH.METHODS:
In a cross-sectional study we analysed endothelial function, as assessed by flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and oxidative stress, as assessed by Nox2 activation, serum isoprostanes and nitric oxide bioavailability (NOx), in patients with NASH (n = 19), FLD (n = 19) and controls (n = 19). Then, we performed a randomized, cross-over study in 19 subjects with NASH comparing the effect of 14-days administration of 40 g of chocolate at high (dark chocolate, cocoa >85%) versus low content (milk chocolate, cocoa <35%) of polyphenols on FMD and oxidative stress. Compared to controls, NASH and FLD patients had higher Nox2 activity and isoprostanes levels and lower FMD and NOx, with a significant gradient between FLD and NASH. The interventional study showed that, compared to baseline, FMD and NOx increased (from 2.9 ± 2.4 to 7.2 ± 3.0% p < 0.001 and from 15.9 ± 3.6 to 20.6 ± 4.9 µM, p < 0.001, respectively) in subjects given dark but not in those given milk chocolate. A simple linear regression analysis showed that Δ (expressed by difference of values between before and after 14 days of chocolate assumption) of FMD was associated with Δ of Nox2 activity (Rs = -0.323; p = 0.04), serum isoprostanes (Rs -0.553; p < 0.001) and NOx (Rs 0.557; p < 0.001).CONCLUSIONS:
Cocoa polyphenols improve endothelial function via Nox2 down-regulation in NASH patients.Palavras-chave
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Vasodilatação
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Artéria Braquial
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Endotélio Vascular
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Hepatopatia Gordurosa não Alcoólica
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Chocolate
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2017
Tipo de documento:
Article