O efeito agudo do chocolate amargo sob a função endotelial é dependente da idade em hipertensos com baixo risco cardiovascular

Abstract

Recent findings indicate an inverse relationship between cardiovascular disease and consumption of flavonoids. We aimed to identify clinical and vascular parameters of treated hypertensive patients who present beneficial effects of dark chocolate on vascular function. Twenty-one hypertensive patients in drug therapy, both genders, aged 40-65 years, were included in a prospective study with measurement of blood pressure, brachial flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), peripheral arterial tonometry (EndoPAT) and central hemodynamic parameters by SphygmoCor. After seven days of eating dark chocolate (70% cocoa) 75g/day, the clinical and vascular evaluation were repeated. Patients were divided into two groups according to the response in FMD: responders (increase in FMD, n=12) and non-responders (no improvement in FMD, n=9). The responder group had a lower mean age (54±7 vs 61±6 years, p=0.037) and cardiovascular risk by Framingham score (2.5±1.8 vs 8.1±5.1 %, p=0.017). Moreover, responders patients presented lower values of both peripheral (55±9 vs 63±5 mmHg, p=0.041), and central pulse pressure (44±10 vs 54±6, p=0.021) than those in non-responder group. The FMD response showed moderate and negative correlation with Framingham score (r= -0.60, p=0.014), with baseline FMD (r= 0.54, p=0.011), baseline reactive hyperemia index (RHI) by EndoPAT (r= -0.56, p=0.008) and central pulse pressure (r= -0.43, p=0.05). However, after linear regression analysis, only the Framingham score and baseline RHI were associated with FMD response. In conclusion, this sample of treated hypertensive patients, individuals who showed improvement in endothelial function with the consumption of dark chocolate with 70% cocoa also showed reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, were younger and had lower pulse pressure and lower cardiovascular risk, although a basal endothelial dysfunction