Abstract:
It is known that aging results in an increased risk for cardiovascular disease
(CVD) related events. Age-related CVD events are associated with arterial stiffening
independent of traditional risk factors. Extra-media thickness (EMT) is a novel structural
component of the carotid artery composed of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT), arterial
adventitia, and the interstitial wall that may be associated with age-related arterial
stiffness. However, it is unknown what affect dietary interventions have on EMT and
arterial stiffness. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if an 8-week
COCOZEN intervention decreases age-related EMT and arterial stiffness. Methods:
Sixteen participants with a mean age of 54.81 ± 7.0 years old were randomly assigned to
either COCOZEN or the Placebo for 8 weeks. Carotid artery stiffness, and carotid and
brachial blood pressure were acquired before and after the intervention. A two-way
repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze changes over
time, an unpaired one-tailed t-test was utilized to determine percent (%) change on blood
pressure (BP), between groups, and a correlation at baseline was used to determine
associations between EMT and arterial stiffness. Results: Carotid systolic blood pressure
(CSBP; mmHg) and brachial systolic blood pressure (BSBP; mmHg) were decreased in
2
the COCOZEN group demonstrated, with a 6.57% and 6.64% decrease (p=0.039, 0.022),
respectively. There were no differences between groups for EMT or carotid compliance
(p≥0.05). Carotid distensibility (10-3/kPa) and β-stiffness (AU) decreased 0.005 ± 0.002 to
0.003 ± 0.002 and increased 3.13 ± 0.40 to 3.40 ± 0.34, respectively, in the placebo group
(p≤0.05). Conclusion: COCOZEN lowered CSBP and BSBP, indicating this novel
nutraceutical compound may lower CV risk.
