title: Flavanols and cardiovascular health: effects on the circulating NO pool in humans.
abstract: Atherosclerosis is the major cause for chronic vascular diseases. The key event in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is believed to be dysfunction of the endothelium and disruption of endothelial homeostasis, leading to vasoconstriction, inflammation, leukocyte adhesion, thrombosis, and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) plays a major role in vascular homeostasis and a decrease in NO-bioavailability accelerates the development of atherosclerosis. Given that endothelial dysfunction is at least in part reversible, the characterization of endothelial function and therapeutical approaches have gained much attention over the past years. Recent studies demonstrated that especially the consumption of plant-derived foods rich in certain flavonoids can improve endothelial function in both compromised and healthy humans. Furthermore, various physiologic and biochemical measures have been used previously as biomarkers for the assessment of the proposed beneficial effects of flavonoids in this context. More recently, the analysis of plasma nitros(yl)ated species (RXNOs), referred to as the circulating NO pool, has gained recognition, especially as a marker for endothelial function. This review is aimed at evaluating the suitability of quantifying this NO pool as a biomarker for cardiovascular function in humans, in particular during dietary interventions with flavonoid-rich foods.
authors.affiliation: Medical Clinic I, Division of Cardiology, Pulmonary Disease and Vascular Medicine, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Balzer
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Heiss
authors.forename: Hagen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schroeter
authors.forename: Paris
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brouzos
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kleinbongard
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matern
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lauer
authors.forename: Tienush
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rassaf
authors.forename: Malte
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kelm
mesh_terms: D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D009566:Nitrates / Q000097:blood; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood; D009603:Nitroso Compounds / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D009603:Nitroso Compounds; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase