Flavan-3-oler och endotel -dysfunktion

Abstract: Background: Flavan-3-ols are polyphenolic phytochemicals belonging to the flavonoids. Flavan-3-ols are present in many higher plants and are particularly concentrated in e.g. Camellia sinensis (tea) and Theobroma cacao (cacao) and have got attention due to their antioxidative capacity. Many studies have been able to associate flavan-3-ol-rich foods to improved endothelial function. The aim of the present work is to review the scientific literature and evaluate the evidence for positive effects of flavan-3-ols on endothelial dysfunction in humans. Method: Scientific articles describing intervention and observational studies about flavan-3-ols and endothelial dysfunction, were searched for on http://www.pubmed.org. Results: Ten out of ten intervention studies show that green and black tea and cacao products affect typical biomarkers for endothelial dysfunction and improve the endothelial dependent vasodilatation and endothelial dysfunction, with acute and long term effects. Observational studies show that flavan-3-olrich are associated with a reduced risk for type 2 diabetes and a reduced risk for CVDs such as myocardial infarction after adjustment for established confounders. Conclusion: Flavan-3-ol rich food appears to have a positive effect on endothelial dysfunction and the effects may be attributed to the flavan-3-ols per see.