title: Flavan-3-ol-enriched dark chocolate and white chocolate improve acute measures of platelet function in a gender-specific way--a randomized-controlled human intervention trial.
abstract: METHODS
  We examined whether flavan-3-ol-enriched dark chocolate, compared with standard dark and white chocolate, beneficially affects platelet function in healthy subjects, and whether this relates to flavan-3-ol bioavailability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 42 healthy subjects received an acute dose of flavan-3-ol-enriched dark, standard dark or white chocolate, in random order. Blood and urine samples were obtained just before and 2 and 6 h after consumption for measurements of platelet function, and bioavailability and excretion of flavan-3-ols. Flavan-3-ol-enriched dark chocolate significantly decreased adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet aggregation and P-selectin expression in men (all p ≤ 0.020), decreased thrombin receptor-activating peptide-induced platelet aggregation and increased thrombin receptor-activating peptide-induced fibrinogen binding in women (both p ≤ 0.041), and increased collagen/epinephrine-induced ex vivo bleeding time in men and women (p ≤ 0.042). White chocolate significantly decreased adenosine diphosphate-induced platelet P-selectin expression (p = 0.002) and increased collagen/epinephrine-induced ex vivo bleeding time (p = 0.042) in men only. Differences in efficacy by which flavan-3-ols affect platelet function were only partially explained by concentrations of flavan-3-ols and their metabolites in plasma or urine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Flavan-3-ols in dark chocolate, but also compounds in white chocolate, can improve platelet function, dependent on gender, and may thus beneficially affect atherogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
authors.forename: Luisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ostertag
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kroon
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wood
authors.forename: Graham W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Horgan
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cienfuegos-Jovellanos
authors.forename: Shikha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.forename: Garry G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Duthie
authors.forename: Baukje
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: de Roos
mesh_terms: D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001682:Biological Availability; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D002099:Cacao / Q000737:chemistry*; D002182:Candy; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019007:P-Selectin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D018179:Receptors, Thrombin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D019007:P-Selectin; D018179:Receptors, Thrombin; C404987:flavan-3-ol; D000244:Adenosine Diphosphate; D005340:Fibrinogen