Effect of Polyphenol Extract on Cardiovascular Health Markers: a 4 Way Randomised Crossover Study

Endothelial dysfunction is an early predictor of cardiovascular events in at-risk patients. It is characterized by impaired endothelium-dependent dilation and is primarily caused by reduced nitric oxide bioavailability secondary to oxidative stress and inflammation. Finding dietary/dietary supplement-oriented approaches to improving endothelial function is of public health interest. A randomized double-blind placebo controlled 4-way crossover study will be conducted to determine if acute consumption of a proprietary polyphenol extract (156 mg / 222 mg / 333 mg) will have a dose dependent response on endothelium-dependent flow-mediated dilation (ED-FMD) in fasting conditions, in comparison to a placebo (maltodextrin) in male smokers (20 - 45 years; n=20).FMD and blood pressure will be assessed at 0 \& 2 hour timepoints following consumption of a single dose of polyphenol extract, accompanying blood samples will be collected to assess a range of endpoints including nitric oxide metabolites, angiotensin and polyphenols metabolites. Endothelium-independent vasodilation will also be measured 2 hours post consumption.