C. Fraga, Flavanoids and Cardiovascular Health

Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
FENS SEMINARS

Flavanoids and Cardiovascular Health

Prof. Cesar Fraga

 
 Recent dietary epidemiological and intervention studies in humans and animals indicate that cocoa and other foods and beverages that are also rich in flavanols can benefit cardiovascular function, inclusive regulating blood pressure. We propose that the antihypertensive effects of flavanols are, in part, mediated by an inhibition of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). This is hypothesized based on our results showing that: a) dietary flavanols can be absorbed and are present in blood; b) flavanols and their oligomers (procyanidins) can compete with angiotensin and other substrates and inhibit ACE; c) ACE modulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production. In addition, considering that NO is a molecule directly involved in blood pressure control, and that NO metabolism is directly affected by both, ROS and flavanols, we propose that a flavanol-mediated inhibition of ACE would not only lower high blood pressure, but also affect pathological conditions associated with ROS and NO metabolism.

21 March 2006, 12:40, L 047

Prof. C. Fraga
1980-85 Graduate student, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina; Fellowship from the
 Argentinean Council of Scientific and Technological Research (CONICET)
1986-88 Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Davis, with Dr Al L. Tappel
1988-90 Postdoctoral Fellow at UC Berkeley, with Dr Bruce N. Ames
1990-present Research Scientist, Argentinean Council of Scientific and Technologica    Research (CONICET), Argentina (Principal Investigator, on leave)
1990-present Professor of Physical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry,
 University of Buenos Aires, Argentina (on leave)
2002-04 Vice director, Department of Analytical and Physical Chemistry, University of
 Buenos Aires
2003-present, Research Chemist, University of California, Davis