Vasculoprotective Effects of Dietary Cocoa Flavanols in Patients on Hemodialysis: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background and objectives

Hemodialysis (HD) per se entails vascular dysfunction in patients with ESRD. Endothelial dysfunction is a key step in atherosclerosis and is characterized by impaired flow-mediated dilation (FMD). Interventional studies have shown that cocoa flavanol (CF)-rich supplements improve vascular function. Aim of this study was to investigate the effect of flavanol-rich bioactive food ingredients on acute and chronic HD-induced vascular dysfunction in ESRD.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial from 2012 to 2013. Fifty-seven participants were enrolled, ingested CF-rich beverages (900 mg CF per study day), and were compared with those ingesting CF-free placebo. This included (1) a base

SUBMITTER: Rassaf T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4702234 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature