scholarly journals Effects of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Apples Enriched-Dark Chocolate on Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Patients with Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Randomized Cross-Over Trial

Antioxidants ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Felice ◽  
Alessandra Francini ◽  
Valentina Domenici ◽  
Mario Cifelli ◽  
Ester Belardinelli ◽  
...  

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.

2018 ◽  
Vol 59 (17) ◽  
pp. 2772-2795 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena S. George ◽  
Skye Marshall ◽  
Hannah L Mayr ◽  
Gina L. Trakman ◽  
Oana A. Tatucu-Babet ◽  
...  

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 918 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alma Rus ◽  
Francisco Molina ◽  
María Josefa Martínez-Ramírez ◽  
María Encarnación Aguilar-Ferrándiz ◽  
Ramón Carmona ◽  
...  

We have recently reported that patients with fibromyalgia (FM) may be at increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Olive oil reportedly has cardioprotective effects. We examined the influence of olive oil consumption on cardiovascular risk factors in FM. This preliminary study was performed on blood samples of women with FM who consumed 50 mL of organic olive oil daily for 3 weeks. Patients were randomized into two groups: 15 women ingested extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and 15 refined olive oil (ROO). Cardiovascular risk markers were measured at baseline (pre measure) and after consumption of olive oil (post measure). Red blood cell count and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; both p < 0.05) declined significantly post-treatment in the EVOO group. Consumption of ROO increased mean platelet volume and reduced platelet distribution width (PDW), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, ESR and fibrinogen (all p < 0.05). Significant differences were found in pre–post change between the EVOO and ROO groups for cortisol and PDW (both p < 0.05). Our results have shown that consumption of olive oil may have antithrombotic and antiinflammatory properties in patients with FM, thereby improving a number of cardiovascular risk markers. Both EVOO and ROO may be useful as adjuvants for the prevention and/or treatment of cardiovascular disorders in these patients.


2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioannis Protopsaltis ◽  
Stefanos Foussas ◽  
Angeliki Angelidi ◽  
Angelos Gritzapis ◽  
Theodoros Ν Sergentanis ◽  
...  

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