Impact of chocolate liquor on vascular lesions in apoE-knockout mice

authored by

N. Yazdekhasti, C. Brandsch, F. Hirche, J. Kühn, A. Schloesser, Tuba Esatbeyoglu, P. Huebbe, S. Wolffram, G. Rimbach, G. I. Stangl

Abstract

Cocoa polyphenols are thought to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, cocoa-containing foods may have significant health benefits. Here, we studied the impact of chocolate liquor on vascular lesion development and plaque composition in a mouse model of atherosclerosis. Apolipoprotein E (apoE)-knockout mice were assigned to two groups and fed a Western diet that contained 250 g/kg of either chocolate liquor or a polyphenol-free isoenergetic control paste for 16 weeks. In addition to fat, protein, and fibers, the chocolate liquor contained 2 g/kg of polyphenols. Compared with the control group, mice fed the chocolate liquor had larger plaque areas in the descending aorta and aortic root, which were attributed to a higher mass of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and collagen. Vascular lipid deposits and calcification areas did not differ between the two groups. The aortic tissue level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA was 5-fold higher in the mice fed chocolate liquor than in the control mice. Chocolate-fed mice exhibited an increased hepatic saturated to polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio than the controls. Although the chocolate liquor contained 14 μg/kg of vitamin D

₂, the chocolate liquor-fed mice did not have measurable 25-hydroxyvitamin D

₂ in the serum. These mice even showed a 25% reduction in the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D

₃ compared with the control mice. Overall, present data may contribute to our understanding how chocolate constituents can impact vascular lesion development.

Organisation(s)

Institute of Food Science and Human Nutrition
Molecular Food Chemistry and Food Development

Type

Article

Journal

Clinical Science

Volume

131

Pages

2549-2560

No. of pages

ISSN

0143-5221

Publication date

15.10.2017

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Medicine

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1042/cs20170279 (Access: Closed)