The blood pressure effect and related plasma levels of flavan-3-ols in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Food & Function Pub Date: 2015-08-07 DOI: 10.1039/C5FO00547G

Abstract

We studied the short-term antihypertensive effect of flavan-3-ols (?)-epicatechin, (+)-catechin and (?)-catechin, in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Plasma metabolites and the corresponding plasma antioxidant capacity were determined. All the assayed flavan-3-ols decreased systolic blood pressure (SBP) in SHR. Their antihypertensive effects were less pronounced than that of Captopril (50 mg kg?1) and were not shown in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. 6 mg kg?1 (?)-epicatechin caused the maximum decrease in SBP. The maximum effects of the catechin monomers were observed post-administration of 0.5 mg kg?1 of flavan-3-ols, (?)-catechin being the least effective among the three assayed compounds. Glucuronide and methyl glucuronide metabolites were obtained in the flavan-3-ol treated SHR, but it was not possible to relate the antihypertensive effect of the assayed flavan-3-ols with a concrete plasma metabolite or with their antioxidant effect. In conclusion, the studied flavan-3-ols could be responsible for the antihypertensive effect of cocoa products.

Graphical abstract: The blood pressure effect and related plasma levels of flavan-3-ols in spontaneously hypertensive rats
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