Peer-Reviewed Papers
Explore published research on mitochondrial function, cellular energy, (-)-epicatechin, vascular biology, and related metabolic pathways. Browse by specialization below to quickly find the papers most relevant to your interests.
Featured Papers
Improving Cardiovascular Risk in Postmenopausal Women with (−)-Epicatechin
Nájera et al., 2024 · Journal of Clinical Medicine
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept trial evaluating cardiovascular risk–related measures in postmenopausal women using an (−)-epicatechin–enriched cacao supplement.
Antifibrotic Effects of (−)-Epicatechin in High-Glucose–Stimulated Cardiac Fibroblasts
Garate-Carrillo et al., 2021 · Journal of Medicinal Food
Cell-based mechanistic study examining how (−)-epicatechin modulates profibrotic signaling under high-glucose conditions, focusing on GPER and TGF-β1/SMAD pathways.
Modulation of Chronic Renal Damage Markers by (−)-Epicatechin in a 5/6 Nephrectomy Model
Montes-Rivera et al., 2019 · Heliyon
Preclinical study in a progressive chronic kidney disease model assessing the effects of (−)-epicatechin on biomarkers associated with renal injury progression.
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Improving Cardiovascular Risk in Postmenopausal Women with an (−)-Epicatechin-Based Nutraceutical: A Randomly Assigned, Double-Blind vs. Placebo, Proof-of-Concept Trial
Nájera et al., 2023 · Journal of Clinical Medicine
This proof-of-concept human trial reported improvement in cardiovascular risk markers in postmenopausal women using an epicatechin-enriched nutraceutical versus placebo.
Obesity and Cardiovascular Risk Improvement Using Cacao By-Products in a Diet-Induced Obesity Murine Model
Hidalgo et al., 2019 · Journal of Medicinal Food
In a diet-induced obesity mouse model, cacao by-products were associated with improvements in obesity-related and cardiovascular risk measures.
Effects of (−)-epicatechin on a diet-induced rat model of cardiometabolic risk factors
Gutiérrez-Salmeán et al., 2014 · European Journal of Pharmacology
This paper found that (-)-epicatechin improved multiple cardiometabolic risk factors in a diet-induced rat model.
A pilot study on clinical pharmacokinetics andpreclinical pharmacodynamics of (+)-epicatechinon cardiometabolic endpoints
Moreno-Ulloa et al., 2018 · Food & Function
This pilot study evaluated the pharmacokinetics, initial safety, and early cardiometabolic effects of (+)-epicatechin in humans and preclinical models, suggesting a favorable early profile.
(-)-Epicatechin Ameliorates Cardiac Fibrosis in a Female Rat Model of Pre-Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction
Bustamante-Pozo et al., 2022 · Journal of Medicinal Food
In a female rat pre-HFpEF model, (-)-epicatechin reduced markers of cardiac fibrosis, suggesting antifibrotic potential in early-stage disease.
Effect of cocoa flavanol supplementation for the prevention of cardiovascular disease events: the COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) randomized clinical trial
Sesso et al., 2022 · The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
The headline result is mixed: null for the primary total-CVD endpoint, but lower CVD death.
Antifibrotic Effects of (-)-Epicatechin on High Glucose Stimulated Cardiac Fibroblasts
Garate-Carrillo et al., 2021 · Journal of Medicinal Food
In high-glucose–stimulated cardiac fibroblasts, (-)-epicatechin showed antifibrotic effects, supporting a cell-level mechanism relevant to hyperglycemic remodeling.
High Flavonoid Cocoa Supplement Ameliorates Plasma Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Levels While Improving Mobility and Quality of Life in Older Subjects: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial
Munguia et al., 2019 · The Journals of Gerontology Series A
In older adults, regular high-flavonoid cocoa intake improved oxidative stress, inflammation, physical performance, and quality-of-life measures.
Recovery of Indicators of Mitochondrial Biogenesis, Oxidative Stress, and Aging With (-)-Epicatechin in Senile Mice
Moreno-Ulloa et al., 2015 · The Journals of Gerontology Series A
In senile mice, (-)-epicatechin restored markers linked to mitochondrial biogenesis and improved oxidative-stress and aging-related indicators.
Alterations in skeletal muscle indicators of mitochondrial structure and biogenesis in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart failure: effects of epicatechin rich cocoa
Taub et al., 2012 · Clinical and Translational Science
This clinical study reported improved skeletal-muscle mitochondrial structure and increased markers of mitochondrial biogenesis after epicatechin-rich cocoa in patients with type 2 diabetes and heart failure.
(-)-Epicatechin stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis and cell growth in C2C12 myotubes via the G-protein coupled estrogen receptor
Moreno-Ulloa et al., 2018 · European Journal of Pharmacology
In C2C12 myotubes, (-)-epicatechin stimulated mitochondrial biogenesis and cell growth, and the study implicated the G-protein–coupled estrogen receptor in that response.
A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study on the effects of (−)-epicatechin on the triglyceride/HDLc ratio and cardiometabolic profile of subjects with hypertriglyceridemia: Unique in vitro effects
Gutiérrez-Salmeán et al., 2016 · International Journal of Cardiology
Randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial in people with hypertriglyceridemia. The study reported preliminary favorable effects on glycemic homeostasis, lipid profile, and systemic inflammation, with parallel in vitro findings suggesting pathway-specific rather than generic antioxidant effects.