Theobromine consumption does not improve fasting and postprandial vascular function in overweight and obese subjects

BackgoundTheobromine, a component of cocoa, may favorably affect conventional lipid-related cardiovascular risk markers, but effects on flow-mediated dilation (FMD) and other vascular function markers are not known.ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of 4-week theobromine consumption (500mg/day) on fasting and postprandial vascular function markers.DesignIn a randomized, double-blind crossover study, 44 apparently healthy overweight (N=30) and obese (N=14) men and women with low HDL-C concentrations, consumed daily 500mg theobromine or placebo for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks, FMD, peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT), augmentation index (AIx), pulse wave velocity (PWV), blood pressure (BP) and retinal microvasculature measurements were performed. These measurements were carried out under fasting conditions and 2.5 h after a high-fat mixed meal challenge.Results4-week theobromine consumption did not change fasting vascular function markers, except for a decrease in central AIx (cAIx, -1.7pp, P=0.037) and a trend towards smaller venular calibers (-2 mu m, P=0.074). Consuming a high-fat mixed meal decreased FMD (0.89pp, P=0.002), reactive hyperemia index (RHI, -0.30, P