Dark XXXX effect on platelet activity, C-reactive protein and lipid profile: a pilot study.

@entity1 @entity32 @entity1426 @entity3088 @entity857 @entity6353 @entity165
BACKGROUND: Dark @entity6353 (DC) is one of the richest sources of @entity3088 . Since DC has been demonstrated to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, our study examined its effect on platelet reactivity, @entity32 , and lipid levels in healthy subjects. METHODS: In 28 healthy volunteers, we analyzed the effect of one week of DC (providing 700 mg of @entity3088 /day). The primary outcome was to determine the effects of DC consumption on platelet activity measured by flow cytometry ( @entity857 [ @entity857 ]- and @entity1426 [AA]-induced total and activated glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa as well as P-selectin expression). In addition to this, we measured the effect of DC on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), high-density lipid @entity165 (HDL) and low-density lipid @entity165 (LDL) levels. RESULTS: Following seven days of regular DC ingestion, LDL fell by 6% (120 +/- 38 vs 112 +/- 37 mg/dL, P < 0.018) and HDL rose by 9% (66 +/- 23 vs 72 +/- 26 mg/dL, P < 0.0019). @entity857 - and AA-induced activated GPIIb/IIIa expression was reduced by DC [27.3 +/- 27.8 vs 17.4 +/- 20.5 mean fluorescence intensity (MFI), P < 0.006; and 9.2 +/- 6.5 vs. 6.1 +/- 2.2 MFI, P < 0.005, respectively]. DC reduced hsCRP levels in @entity1 (1.8 +/- 2.1 vs. 1.4 +/- 1.7 mg/dL, P < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: One week of DC ingestion improved lipid profiles and decreased platelet reactivity within the total group while reducing @entity32 only in @entity1 . Regular dark @entity6353 ingestion may have cardioprotective properties. Further long-term research is warranted to evaluate the effect of @entity3088 on cardiovascular health and to determine whether DC's beneficial effects are related to @entity3088 or some yet unknown component. This research is based on a larger study which was presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2007.
