Long-term antihypertensive effect of a soluble cocoa fiber product in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Abstract

Background and MethodsThis study evaluates the antihypertensive effect of long-term intake of a soluble cocoa fiber product (SCFP). Different doses of SCFP were evaluated (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg/day) and a dose of 800 mg/kg/day of beta-glucan 0.75 (BETA-G) was used as a standard fiber. Water, a neutral vehicle, was used as negative control, and 50 mg/kg/day captopril was used as positive control. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured weekly by the tail cuff method. Body weight, food, and liquid intake were also registered weekly in the rats from 10 to 24 weeks of life. Glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels; redox status; and the angiotensin-converting enzyme activity were also studied in the plasma samples of these animals.ResultsThroughout the 10 weeks of treatment, captopril and SCFP (400 mg/kg/day) demonstrated blood pressure lowering effects in the spontaneously hypertensive rats (p<0.05; n=8). Paradoxically, neither the highest dose (800 mg/kg/day) of SCFP decreased SBP nor 800 mg/kg/day BETA-G (p>0.05; n=8). When the corresponding antihypertensive treatment, was disrupted the SBP values of the 400 mg/kg/day SCFP treated animals returned to control values (p>0.05; n=8). In addition, the SCFP significantly decreased (p<0.05; n=4) the glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and also the liver and plasma malondaldehyde levels. Moreover, the SCFP slightly increased the reduced glutathione levels in the liver.ConclusionThe SCFP could be used to control the blood pressure of hypertensive subjects for a long period of time and could improve metabolic complications associated to cardiovascular diseases.

Traceability of polyphenols in cocoa during the postharvest and industrialization processes and their biological antioxidant potential

“…Likewise, a cocoa rich-diet has improved glucose tolerance, alleviates insulin resistance and enhance the hepatic antioxidant/detoxifying defenses in diabetic fatty rats [ 126 ], and CPEs have increased glutathione levels and reduced insulin resistance, as well as COX-2 and iNOS levels in a rat model of prediabetes [ 122 ]. Similarly, soluble cocoa fiber products and cocoa powder rich in polyphenols have been shown to possess antihypertensive properties [ 123 , 124 ], apparently mediated by the up-regulation of nitric oxide and the subsequent reduction in blood pressure [ 124 ].…”

Acute oral toxicity of a novel functional drink based on Ilex guayusa, Vernonanthura patens, and cocoa husk

“…Major bioactive compounds identified in cocoa husk are phenols, theobromine, caffeine, procyanidins, and catechins [ 33 ]. The cocoa shells' soluble dietary fiber promotes health beneficial effects on the regulation of cholesterol levels and reducing food intake and body weight gain [ 34 ]. Other studies have reported health protective effects on lipid and glucose metabolism and oxidative stress [ 32 ].…”

“…Other studies have reported health protective effects on lipid and glucose metabolism and oxidative stress [ 32 ]. In a study with experimental animals, the cocoa soluble fiber from cocoa shells favorable changes of weight, insulinemia, lipids, glycemia, and blood pressure for the treatment of metabolic syndrome diseases [ 34 ].…”

Antihypertensive effects of abalone viscera fermented with Lactiplantibacillus pentosus SN001 via angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition

“…SHRs, a major model of hypertension, are widely used because of their high reliability ( Badyal, Dadhich, & Lata, 2003 ). SHRs have an initial period of clearly elevated arterial blood pressure, with stable values starting at week 10 ( Fernández-Vallinas, Miguel, & Alexandre, 2016 ). In this study, we used SHRs at 15–23 weeks of age.…”