title: [The polyphenols, naturally occurring compounds with beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease].
abstract: In recent years, a number of studies have endorsed the beneficial effects of polyphenols intake on health, especially on the cardiovascular system. This is important since cardiovascular diseases are the main death cause worldwide. The effects of polyphenols are mainly due to their antioxidant properties. These compounds present vasodilating effects, and they can improve the lipid profile and lessen the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL). They show clear antiinflammatory effects and they can modulate the apoptotic pathways in the vascular endothelium. This review defines from the structural viewpoint the different groups of polyphenols that may occur in vegetables, and updates the knowledge on their bioavailability. Some of the recent studies establishing their beneficial properties at a cardiovascular level are also included.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, España.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quiñones
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miguel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aleixandre
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001682:Biological Availability; D001688:Biological Products; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D010944:Plants / Q000737:chemistry; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D014675:Vegetables / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D001688:Biological Products; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D059808:Polyphenols; D014665:Vasodilator Agents