title: Suppressive effects of cacao polyphenols on the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.
abstract: Previous studies in humans have shown that the cacao polyphenols, (-)-epicatechin and its oligomers, prevent in vitro and ex vivo low-density lipoprotein oxidation mediated by free radical generators and metal ions and also reduce plasma LDL-cholesterol levels. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of cacao polyphenols on the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient (-/-) mice. Mice aged 8 weeks (n = 90) were randomized into three groups, and fed either normal mouse chow (controls) or chow supplemented with 0.25 or 0.40 % cacao polyphenols for 16 weeks. The mean plaque area in cross-sections of the brachiocephalic trunk was measured and found to be lower in the 0.25 % cacao polyphenol group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Pathological observations showed that accumulation of cholesterol crystals in the plaque area was greater in the control group compared with the 0.40 % cacao polyphenol group (p < 0.05). Immunochemical staining in the 0.25 and 0.40 % groups showed that expression of the cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1 and ICAM-1) and production of oxidative stress markers (4-hydroxynonenal, hexanoyl-lysine, and dityrosine) were reduced in cross-sections of the brachiocephalic trunk. These results suggest that cacao polyphenols inhibit the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E-deficient (-/-) mice by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.
authors.affiliation: Functional Evaluation Department, Food Science Research Laboratories, R&D Division, Meiji Co., Ltd., 540 Naruda, Odawara, Kanagawa, 250-0862, Japan, midori.natsume.ba@meiji.com.
authors.forename: Midori
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Natsume
authors.forename: Seigo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baba
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000187:drug effects; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002099:Cacao / Q000737:chemistry; D002392:Catechin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001057:Apolipoproteins E; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D059808:Polyphenols; C099252:oxidized low density lipoprotein; D002392:Catechin