Dietary cocoa ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and increases markers of antioxidant response and mitochondrial biogenesis in high fat-fed mice.

Cocoa powder, derived Theobroma cacao, is a popular food ingredient that is commonly consumed in chocolate. Epidemiological and human intervention studies have reported that chocolate consumption is associated with reduced risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Laboratory studies have reported the dietary supplementation with cocoa or cocoa polyphenols can improve obesity and obesity-related comorbidities in preclinical models.

Effects of culinary spices and psychological stress on postprandial lipemia and lipase activity: results of a randomized crossover study and in vitro experiments.

Background: Data suggest that culinary spices are a potent, low-calorie modality for improving physiological responses to high fat meals. In a pilot study (N = 6 healthy adults), we showed that a meal containing a high antioxidant spice blend attenuated postprandial lipemia by 30% compared to a low spice meal. Our goal was to confirm this effect in a larger sample and to consider the influence of acute psychological stress on fat metabolism.

Dietary cocoa reduces metabolic endotoxemia and adipose tissue inflammation in high-fat fed mice.

In diet-induced obesity, adipose tissue (AT) is in a chronic state of inflammation predisposing the development of metabolic syndrome. Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) is a polyphenol-rich food with putative anti-inflammatory activities. Here, we examined the impact and underlying mechanisms of action of cocoa on AT inflammation in high fat-fed mice.

Continuous enrichment of low-abundance cell samples using standing surface acoustic waves (SSAW).

Cell enrichment is a powerful tool in a variety of cellular studies, especially in applications with low-abundance cell types. In this work, we developed a standing surface acoustic wave (SSAW) based microfluidic device for non-contact, continuous cell enrichment. With a pair of parallel interdigital transducers (IDT) deposited on a piezoelectric substrate, a one-dimensional SSAW field was established along disposable micro-tubing channels, generating numerous pressure nodes (and thus numerous cell-enrichment regions).

Modulation of metabolic syndrome-related inflammation by cocoa.

Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L., Sterculiaceae) is a widely consumed food ingredient. Although typically found in high-fat, high-sugar foods such as chocolate, cocoa is rich in polyphenols, methylxanthines, and monounsaturated fatty acids.

Tunable nanowire patterning using standing surface acoustic waves.

Patterning of nanowires in a controllable, tunable manner is important for the fabrication of functional nanodevices. Here we present a simple approach for tunable nanowire patterning using standing surface acoustic waves (SSAW). This technique allows for the construction of large-scale nanowire arrays with well-controlled patterning geometry and spacing within 5 s.

Dietary cocoa ameliorates obesity-related inflammation in high fat-fed mice.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of cocoa powder supplementation on obesity-related inflammation in high fat (HF)-fed obese mice.

Methods: Male C57BL/6J (n = 126) were fed with either low-fat (LF, 10 % kcal from fat) or HF (60 % kcal from fat) diet for 18 weeks. After 8 weeks, mice from HF group were randomized to HF diet or HF diet supplemented with 8 % cocoa powder (HF-HFC group) for 10 weeks.

Inhibition of starch digestion by the green tea polyphenol, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate.

Scope: Green tea has been shown to ameliorate symptoms of metabolic syndrome in vivo. The effects could be due, in part, to modulation of postprandial blood glucose levels.

Methods And Results: We examined the effect of coadministration of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG, 100 mg/kg, i.

Inhibition of secreted phospholipase A2 by proanthocyanidins: a comparative enzymological and in silico modeling study.

Secreted phospholipase A2 (PLA2) plays a critical role in mobilizing arachidonic acid in phospholipids. We have previously reported that PLA2 is inhibited by B-type proanthocyanidins (PaCs). To further understand the inhibitory activity of these compounds, we compared the inhibitory potency of B-type PaCs to that of A-type PaCs and modeled them with PLA2 using in silico techniques.

Inhibition of key digestive enzymes by cocoa extracts and procyanidins.

This study determined the in vitro inhibitory effects of cocoa extracts and procyanidins against pancreatic α-amylase (PA), pancreatic lipase (PL), and secreted phospholipase A(2) (PLA(2)) and characterized the kinetics of such inhibition. Lavado, regular, and Dutch-processed cocoa extracts as well as cocoa procyanidins (degree of polymerization (DP) = 2-10) were examined. Cocoa extracts and procyanidins dose-dependently inhibited PA, PL, and PLA(2).