Search

BackgroundCardiometabolic diseases cover a spectrum of interrelated conditions linked to metabolic dysfunctions and/or cardiovascular disorders, including systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Cocoa is a rich source of dietary polyphenols and has been associated with cardiovascular health benefits. However, beneficial effects of cocoa consumption and appropriate quantities in decreasing cardiometabolic risk factors have yet to be established. Therefore, we will conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine the effects of cocoa consumption on cardiometabolic risk markers (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, waist circumference, abdominal circumference, body mass index, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure) in adults with or without established cardiovascular risk factors.MethodsOur review will include all randomized controlled trials published in English, Portuguese and Spanish with no date of publication restrictions evaluating the effects of cocoa consumption on cardiometabolic risk markers selected from the databases MEDLINE (PubMed), LILACS, Cochrane, EMBASE, Web of Science and SciELO, and gray literature. Eligible studies must involve adults (age ≥18y), and the consumption of cocoa or dark chocolate (≥ 70% cocoa), include a control group and evaluate blood pressure, anthropometric measurements, and lipid or glycemic profiles. We will use risk-of-bias 2 (RoB2) tool to assess the risk of bias and the GRADE system to assess the strength of evidence. Statistical analyses will be performed using RStudio for Windows and R package meta.DiscussionThis meta-analysis will summarize existing evidence on the effects of cocoa consumption on cardiometabolic health in adults. Better understanding the effects of cocoa consumption on anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and lipid and glycemic profiles can provide valuable insights for health professionals to improve dietary recommendations regarding appropriate quantities.Trial registrationSystematic Review Registration: PROSPERO CRD42023484490.

AimsWe assessed the effects of a short-term exercise training on cardiac function, oxidative stress markers, and type 3 iodothyronine deiodinase (D3) activity in cardiac tissue of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) following experimental myocardial infarction (MI).MethodsTwenty-four SHR (aged 3 months) were allocated to 4 groups: sham+sedentary, sham+trained, MI+sedentary and MI+trained. MI was performed by permanent ligation of the coronary artery. Exercise training (treadmill) started 96 hours after MI and lasted for 4 weeks (~60% maximum effort, 4x/week and 40 min/day). Cardiac function (echocardiography), thioredoxin reductase (TRx), total carbonyl levels, among other oxidative stress markers and D3 activity were measured. A Generalized Estimating Equation was used, followed by Bonferroni's test (pResultsMI resulted in an increase in left ventricular mass (p = 0.002) with decreased cardiac output (~22.0%, p = 0.047) and decreased ejection fraction (~41%, p = 0.008) as well as an increase in the carbonyl levels (p = 0.001) and D3 activity (~33%, pConclusionsOur short-term exercise training helped reverse the effects of MI on cardiac function. These benefits seem to derive from a more efficient antioxidant response and lower D3 activity in cardiac tissue.