title: Human urine: epicatechin metabolites and antioxidant activity after cocoa beverage intake.
abstract: Associations between cocoa consumption in humans, excreted metabolites and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) have been scarcely investigated. The aims of the study were to investigate the epicatechin (( - )-Ec) metabolites excreted in urine samples after an intake of 40 g of cocoa powder along with the TAC of these urine samples and the relation between both the analyses. Each of the 21 volunteers received two interventions, one with a polyphenol-rich food (PRF) and one with a polyphenol-free food (PFF) in a randomized cross-over study. Urine samples were taken before and during 24 h at 0-6, 6-12 and 12-24 h periods after test intake. The excreted ( - )-Ec metabolites and the TAC were determined in urine samples by LC-MS/MS and TEAC assay, respectively. The maximum excretion of ( - )-Ec metabolites and the maximum TAC value were observed in urine samples excreted between 6 and 12 h after PRF consumption. Significance of TAC increase was found in urine samples excreted during 0-6 and 6-12 h (66.6 and 72.67%, respectively, with respect to the 0 h).
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Food Science, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roura
authors.forename: Ma Pilar
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Almajano
authors.forename: Ma Lourdes Mata
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Bilbao
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Andrés-Lacueva
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Estruch
authors.forename: Rosa Ma
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Lamuela-Raventós
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis*; D001628:Beverages; D002099:Cacao / Q000378:metabolism*; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D020719:Glucuronides / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013463:Sulfuric Acid Esters / Q000652:urine*; D016482:Urinalysis
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D020719:Glucuronides; D013463:Sulfuric Acid Esters; C452422:epicatechin sulfate; C523149:epicatechin-glucuronide; D002392:Catechin