title: Epicatechin: endothelial function and blood pressure.
abstract: Epidemiological studies indicate an inverse relationship between flavanol intake and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Potential mechanisms include their effects on endothelial function and hypertension. A number of studies have shown that flavanol-rich cocoa reduces blood pressure and endothelial dysfunction, whereas black tea may have opposite effects. These results highlight the importance of the different effects of the multitude of phytochemical constituents in these foods and the need for studying the individual flavanols. Epicatechin seems to be a major bioactive constituent of cocoa and other flavanol-rich foods and beverages. It has been shown to improve endothelial function in animals and humans. In salt-sensitive animal models of hypertension, epicatechin lowers blood pressure and the associated end-organ damage. Nitric oxide (NO) seems to play a key role in the protection of both hypertension and endothelial dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy,  Universidad de Granada , 18071 Granada, Spain.
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jiménez
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Perez-Vizcaino
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002392:Catechin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D002392:Catechin