Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026

Effects of Surgical Masks on Cardiopulmonary Function in Healthy Subjects
Published on: February 12, 2021
Cocoa Flavanols Improve Endothelial Functional Integrity in Healthy Young and Elderly Subjects
Michael Gröne, Roberto Sansone, Philip Höffken
1Division of Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine , King's College London , 150 Stamford Street , London SE1 9NH , United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Cocoa flavanols (CFs) can improve flow-mediated dilation (FMD), blood pressure, and vascular stiffness in healthy subjects. Endothelial microparticles (EMPs) are markers of endothelial functional integrity, reflecting activation and injury. In plasma samples, we investigated whether age-dependent changes in circulating EMPs exist and whether CFs decrease EMPs in healthy humans. The concentrations of CD31+/41-, CD144+, and CD62e+ EMPs (flow cytometry) were increased in healthy elderly (n = 19) compared to young (n = 20) non-smokers. EMPs correlated with age, systolic blood pressure, and pulse wave velocity. CD31+/41- and CD62e+ EMPs inversely correlated with FMD. Following 2 weeks twice-daily CF consumption (450 mg), CD31+/41- and CD144+ EMPs decreased in both young and elderly subjects compared to the CF-free control. The EMP decrease inversely correlated with FMD improvements. Cardiovascular aging is associated with increased EMPs that can be modulated by dietary flavanols along with improvements in vascular function. This indicates that flavanol consumption can improve endothelial functional integrity in healthy humans.
Related Concept Videos
Bioavailability Study Design: Healthy Subjects Versus Patients
Cable Subjected to Its Own Weight
A generalized loading function is employed to analyze a cable subjected to its own weight. This function considers the force acting along the cable's arc length rather than its projected length, providing a more accurate...
Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System I: Subjective Data
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems...
Cable Subjected to Concentrated Loads
Cable Subjected to a Distributed Load
Traits, Mood, and Subjective Wellbeing
Neuroticism and...

