MedPath

Cocoa Extract-enriched Meals and Cardiovascular Risk in Older Population

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Cardiovascular Risk Factors
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: Cocoa extract
Registration Number
NCT01596309
Lead Sponsor
Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Universidad de Navarra
Brief Summary

Obesity prevalence in elderly populations has increased in the last years, and the reduction of overweight and obesity is a priority target in populations of all age ranges worldwide. Obesity is a disease frequently accompanied by a pro-inflammatory state, in which metabolic functions may be compromised, and therefore there is a risk of developing comorbidities such as type-2 diabetes, hyperlipidemias, hypertension, atherosclerosis, etc. In this context, plant extracts are a good source of antioxidant compounds. Among these compounds, polyphenols have been shown to have an important antioxidant effect. Scientific evidence based on epidemiological studies suggest that flavonoids from the diet play an important role on the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Cocoa and related products are an important source of flavonoids, providing even more than tea or wine. Generally, benefits associated to cocoa consumption are related to the ability for improving lipid profile and insulin sensitivity, reducing blood pressure, platelet activity and improving endothelial dysfunction. Some studies have also shown an improvement of inflammatory conditions, mainly due to the capacity of the polyphenols contained to modify cellular transcription, and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, macrophages and lymphocytic strains. Therefore, the hypothesis of this study is that the consumption of cocoa extract-enriched prepared meals, within a hypocaloric diet, will help to reduce body weight and to improve cardiovascular risk factors compared to the same diet with standard prepared meals.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
50
Inclusion Criteria
  • Body Mass Index between 27 and 35.5 kg/m2
  • Subjects with central adiposity (waist circumference over 94 cm in males and 80 cm in females)
  • Subjects presenting insulin resistance non pharmacologically treated
  • Subjects presenting hyperlipidemia non pharmacologically treated
Exclusion Criteria
  • Subjects following dietotherapy to loose weight at the moment of the study or in the past three months.
  • Subjects with variations of weight greater than 5% of their body weight in the last three months).
  • Subjects with deficient nutritional or hydration status.
  • Subjects suffering from chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, etc.
  • Subjects with functional or structural impairments in digestive tract (peptic ulcer, malabsorption syndrome, inflammatory state, etc.)
  • Subjects having gone under digestive surgery and have permanent consequences.
  • Subjects suffering from allergy to cocoa or derived products.
  • Subjects being physically or psychologically affected, with difficulties to attend the facilities with the required frequency.
  • Smokers and frequent (more than 3 portions of beer/wine/spirits per day in males and 2 portions of beer/wine/spirits per day in females)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
control group, placeboCocoa extractThis period will consist on a structured personalised hypocaloric diet containing ready prepared meals without extract added
Intervention group, cocoa extractCocoa extractThis period will consist on a structured personalised hypocaloric diet containing ready prepared meals with cocoa extract added. Final cocoa extract daily intake will be of 1.4 g.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline of Plasma Oxidized LDLBaseline and 4 weeks

Levels of LDL-ox in plasma will be analysed at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change from baseline of fat mass contentBaseline and 4 weeks

Fat mass will be measured by bioelectric impedance and Dual X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of waist circumferenceBaseline and 4 weeks

Waist circumference will be measured with a measure tape at baseline and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of hip circumferenceBaseline and 4 weeks

Hip circumference will be measured with a measure tape at baseline and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

HeightBaseline
Change from baseline of body weightBaseline and 4 weeks
Change from baseline of skinfoldsBaseline and 4 weeks

Tricipital, Bicipital, subscapular and suprailiac skinfolds will be measured at baseline and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of serum glucose levelsBaseline and 4 weeks

Serum glucose concentration will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of serum insulin concentrationBaseline and 4 weeks

Serum insulin concentration will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of serum free fatty acids concentrationBaseline and 4 weeks

Serum free fatty acids concentration will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of serum total cholesterol concentrationBaseline and 4 weeks

Serum total cholesterol concentration will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of serum HDL-cholesterol concentrationBaseline and 4 weeks

Serum HDL-cholesterol concentration will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of serum LDL-cholesterol concentrationBaseline and 4 weeks

Serum LDL-cholesterol concentration will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of serum triglycerides concentrationBaseline and 4 weeks

Serum triglycerides concentration will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of serum total protein concentrationBaseline and 4 weeks

Serum total protein concentration will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of serum transaminases concentrationBaseline and 4 weeks

Serum transaminases (AST \& ALT) concentration will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of serum homocystein concentrationBaseline and 4 weeks

Serum homocystein concentration will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of Diastolic blood pressureBaseline and 4 weeks

Diastolic blood pressure will be measured at baseline and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of Systolic blood pressureBaseline and 4 weeks

Systolic blood pressure will be measured at baseline and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of Food intakeBaseline and 4 weeks

Food intake will be measured by a 72 h weighed food record at baseline and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of plasma PAI-1 concentrationBaseline and 4 weeks

Plasma PAI-1 concentration will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of plasma malonyldialdehyde (MDA) concentrationBaseline and 4 weeks

Plasma MDA concentration will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC)Baseline and 4 weeks

Plasma TAC will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of serum uric acid levelsBaseline and 4 weeks

Serum uric acid levels will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of Glutathione peroxidase activityBaseline and 4 weeks

Glutathione peroxidase activity will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of plasma C-Reactive Protein levelsBaseline and 4 weeks

C-Reactive Protein levels will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of plasma IL-6 levelsBaseline and 4 weeks

IL-6 levels will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of plasma TNF-alpha levelsBaseline and 4 weeks

TNF-alpha levels will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Personality TestBaseline

Personality will be evaluated through the NEO-PI-R test.

Change from baseline of depression degreeBaseline and 4 weeks

Depression degree will be evaluated through the Beck depression inventory, the anxiety/STAI inventory and subjective anxiety and depression thermometer scale, at the beginning and the end of each intervention period

Change from baseline of health statusBaseline and 4 weeks

Health status will be evaluated through the SF-36v2 Health survey at the beginning and the end of each intervention period

Change from baseline of plasma VCAM-1 levelsBaseline and 4 weeks

VCAM-1 levels will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Change from baseline of plasma ICAM-1 levelsBaseline and 4 weeks

ICAM-1 levels will be measured in a fasting state at the beginning and the end (4 weeks) of each intervention period

Cocoa BioavailabilityBaseline and 4 weeks

Metabolites from cocoa polyphenols will be analysed in plasma and urine at the beginning and the end of each intervention period in order to estimate the bioavailability of cocoa extract studied.

DNA damageBaseline and 4 weeks

DNA ability to self-repair and DNA damage extent will be quantified through commet assay at the beginning and the end of each intervention period.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Nutrition, Food Science, Physiology and Toxicology. University of Navarra

🇪🇸

Pamplona, Navarra, Spain

© Copyright 2025. All Rights Reserved by MedPath