Background: Endothelial dysfunction has been associated to cardiovascular outcomes in patients with cardiovascular risk factors. Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important physiological role for their reparative potential of vascular integrity, but are numerically reduced and functionally impaired in patients with cardiovascular risks. This study assesses the effects of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and apple-enriched dark chocolate intake on the blood levels of EPCs. Methods Thirty volunteers with cardiovascular risk factors, enrolled in a randomised, crossover, four-weeks trial, received a solid dark chocolate bar (40 g/day) containing 10% EVOO or 2.5% dry apples. Urine samples were analyzed for endogenous metabolites. Circulating EPCs levels, clinical data and anthropometric examinations were collected.
Results: 26 volunteers (M/F:14/12, 51 ± 9 years of age) completed the study. Comparison of pre-post intervention revealed a significant increase in EPCs levels associated with EVOO-dark chocolate consumption. Most biochemical parameters were not significantly modified by both chocolates.
Conclusions: This study shows that a daily consumption of a non fattening dose of dark chocolate enriched with EVOO improves blood levels of EPCs, a well known surrogate biologic marker for endothelial function.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6523981 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/antiox8040088 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Endovascular Thrombectomy for Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Occlusions With Large Ischemic Strokes: Insights From the SELECT2 Trial.
Neurology
February 2025
Department of Neurology, Department of Stroke, University Hospital Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH.
Background And Objectives: Although previous trials have established the efficacy and safety of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in large ischemic core strokes, most of them excluded patients with extracranial internal carotid artery (e-ICA) occlusion. We aimed to compare outcomes in patients with e-ICA occlusion and large ischemic core infarcts treated with EVT vs medical management (MM).
Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the SELECT2 trial, a randomized controlled trial conducted at 31 international sites.
Respiratory syncytial virus vaccination in older adults and patients with chronic disorders: A position paper from the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology, the Portuguese Association of General and Family Medicine, the Portuguese Society of Cardiology, the Portuguese Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, the Portuguese Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine.
Pulmonology
December 2025
Portuguese Society of Pulmonology (SPP), Lisbon, Portugal.
Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of lower respiratory tract infection, hospitalisation and death in adults.
Methods: Based on evidence regarding the impact of RSV on adult populations at risk for severe infection and the efficacy and safety of RSV vaccines, the Portuguese Society of Pulmonology, the Portuguese Association of General and Family Medicine, the Portuguese Society of Cardiology, the Portuguese Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, the Portuguese Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and the Portuguese Society of Internal Medicine endorses this position paper with recommendations to prevent RSV-associated disease and its complications in adults through vaccination.
Conclusion: The RSV vaccine is recommended for people aged ≥50 years with risk factors (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, heart failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, immunocompromise, frailty, dementia, and residence in a nursing home) and all persons aged ≥60 years.
Clinical value of aortic arch morphology in transfemoral TAVR: artificial intelligence evaluation.
Int J Surg
January 2025
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.
Background: The impact of aortic arch (AA) morphology on the management of the procedural details and the clinical outcomes of the transfemoral artery (TF)-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has not been evaluated. The goal of this study was to evaluate the AA morphology of patients who had TF-TAVR using an artificial intelligence algorithm and then to evaluate its predictive value for clinical outcomes.
Materials And Methods: A total of 1480 consecutive patients undergoing TF-TAVR using a new-generation transcatheter heart valve at 12 institutes were included in this retrospective study.
Developing predictive nomogram models using quantitative electroencephalography for brain function in type a aortic dissection: a prospective observational study.
Int J Surg
January 2025
Department of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Background: Type A aortic dissection (TAAD) remains a significant challenge in cardiac surgery, presenting high risks of adverse outcomes such as permanent neurological dysfunction and mortality despite advances in medical technology and surgical techniques. This study investigates the use of quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) to monitor and predict neurological outcomes during the perioperative period in TAAD patients.
Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at the hospital, involving patients undergoing TAAD surgery from February 2022 to January 2023.
Comparison of short-and long-term outcomes between endovascular and open repair for descending thoracic aortic aneurysm: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Int J Surg
January 2025
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Nanchong Central Hospital, The Affiliated Nanchong Central Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, Nanchong Hospital of Beijing Anzhen Hospital Capital Medical University, Nanchong, China.
Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of endovascular versus open repair for the treatment of patients with descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (DTAA).
Methods: A systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases for relevant studies was performed. Outcome data, including postoperative mortality and morbidity, operative details, all-cause survival, freedom from aortic-related survival and freedom from aortic-related re-intervention, were independently extracted by two authors in a standardized way.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!