Abstract
Chronic inflammation has been identified as a necessary step to mediate atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease and as a relevant stage in the onset and progression of several types of cancer. Considerable attention has recently been focused on the identification of dietary bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory activities as an alternative natural source for prevention of inflammation-associated diseases. The remarkable capacity of cocoa flavanols as antioxidants, as well as to modulate signaling pathways involved in cellular processes, such as inflammation, metabolism and proliferation, has encouraged research on this type of polyphenols as useful bioactive compounds for nutritional prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Data from numerous studies suggest that cocoa and cocoa-derived flavanols can effectively modify the inflammatory process, and thus potentially provide a benefit to individuals with elevated risk factors for atherosclerosis/cardiovascular pathology and cancer. The present overview will focus on the most recent findings about the effects of cocoa, its main constituents and cocoa derivatives on selected biomarkers of the inflammatory process in cell culture, animal models and human cohorts.
Highlights
Inflammation is a protective physiological response of body tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants, that involves immune cells, blood vessels, and molecular mediators [1]
The increase found in high density lipoproteins (HDL)-cholesterol in the previously mentioned study is in line with other results in similar populations after an intake of flavanol-rich cocoa [76], of cocoa powder with milk [97] and in agreement with the results described by Jenkins and colleagues [98] who reported a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol after consumption of a cocoa bran (25 g dietary fiber/day) for two weeks by healthy subjects
A number of studies of cell cultures and animals have unequivocally demonstrated that cocoa flavanols reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibit inflammatory mediators NF-κB, COX-2 and inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS)
Summary
Inflammation is a protective physiological response of body tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants, that involves immune cells, blood vessels, and molecular mediators [1]. The purpose of inflammation is to eliminate the initial cause of cell injury, clear out necrotic cells and tissues damaged from the original insult and the inflammatory process, and to initiate tissue repair. Inflammation is normally closely regulated by the body, chronic inflammation may lead to a host of diseases, including the two most lethal pathologies of our time, cardiovascular disease and cancer [1]
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