Abstract
A higher intake of food rich in flavonoids such as quercetin can reduce the risk of CVD. Enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ®) has a bioavailability 17-fold higher than quercetin aglycone and has shown potential CVD moderating effects in animal studies. The present study aimed to determine whether acute ingestion of EMIQ® improves endothelial function, blood pressure (BP) and cognitive function in human volunteers at risk of CVD. Twenty-five participants (twelve males and thirteen females) with at least one CVD risk factor completed this randomised, controlled, crossover study. In a random order, participants were given EMIQ® (2 mg aglycone equivalent)/kg body weight or placebo alongside a standard breakfast meal. Endothelial function, assessed by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery was measured before and 1·5 h after intervention. BP, arterial stiffness, cognitive function, BP during cognitive stress and measures of quercetin metabolites, oxidative stress and markers of nitric oxide (NO) production were assessed post-intervention. After adjustment for pre-treatment measurements and treatment order, EMIQ® treatment resulted in a significantly higher FMD response compared with the placebo (1·80 (95 % CI 0·23, 3·37) %; P = 0·025). Plasma concentrations of quercetin metabolites were significantly higher (P < 0·001) after EMIQ® treatment compared with the placebo. No changes in BP, arterial stiffness, cognitive function or biochemical parameters were observed. In this human intervention study, the acute administration of EMIQ® significantly increased circulating quercetin metabolites and improved endothelial function. Further clinical trials are required to assess whether health benefits are associated with long-term EMIQ® consumption.
RAS ID
29892
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-28-2020
Funding Information
National Health and Medical Research Council Senior Research Fellowship.
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Recommended Citation
Bondonno, N. P., Bondonno, C. P., Ward, N. C., Woodman, R. J., & Hodgson, J. M. (2020). Enzymatically modified isoquercitrin improves endothelial function in volunteers at risk of cardiovascular disease. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114519002137
Comments
This article has been published in a revised form in the British Journal of Nutrition https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114519002137
Bondonno, N. P., Bondonno, C. P., Ward, N. C., Woodman, R. J., Hodgson, J. M., & Croft, K. D. (2020). Enzymatically modified isoquercitrin improves endothelial function in volunteers at risk of cardiovascular disease. British Journal of Nutrition, 123(2), 182-189.