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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(-)-Epicatechin rich cocoa mediated modulation of oxidative stress regulators in skeletal muscle of heart failure and type 2 diabetes patients
Ramírez-Sánchez et al., 2013 · International Journal of Cardiology
In patients with heart failure and type 2 diabetes, (-)-epicatechin-rich cocoa modulated oxidative-stress regulators in skeletal muscle, supporting an effect on redox biology in clinically relevant tissue.
Perturbations in skeletal muscle sarcomere structure in patients with heart failure and Type 2 diabetes: restorative effects of (−)-epicatechinrich cocoa
Taub et al., 2013 · Clinical Science
This clinical study found structural sarcomere abnormalities in skeletal muscle from patients with heart failure and type 2 diabetes, and reported restorative effects after (-)-epicatechin-rich cocoa intake.
(-)-Epicatechin induces mitochondrial biogenesis and markers of muscle regeneration in adults with Becker muscular dystrophy
McDonald et al., 2021 · Muscle & Nerve
In adults with Becker muscular dystrophy, (-)-epicatechin increased markers of mitochondrial biogenesis and muscle regeneration, suggesting a potentially relevant biological response in a human neuromuscular condition.
(–)-Epicatechin enhances fatigue resistance and oxidative capacity in mouse muscle
Nogueira et al., 2011 · The Journal of Physiology
This animal study found that (-)-epicatechin improved fatigue resistance and oxidative capacity in mouse muscle, supporting a mitochondrial or oxidative-metabolism effect in skeletal muscle.
Effect of (-)-epicatechin on the modulation of progression markers of chronic renal damage in a 5/6 nephrectomy experimental model
Montes-Rivera et al., 2019 · Heliyon
In a 5/6 nephrectomy model, this study evaluated whether (-)-epicatechin altered biomarkers linked to progression of chronic renal damage, reporting modulation of disease-relevant markers.
Neurological Restorative Effects of (-)-Epicatechin in a Model of Gulf War Illness
Ramírez-Sánchez et al., 2024 · Journal of Medicinal Food
This study examined a Gulf War illness model and reported neurological restorative effects with (-)-epicatechin treatment, extending the literature into neurobehavioral and neuroinflammatory contexts.
Effects of (−)-epicatechin on neuroinflammation and hyperphosphorylation of tau in the hippocampus of aged mice
Navarrete-Yañez et al., 2020 · Food & Function
In aged mice, (-)-epicatechin reduced oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and tau hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus, while also improving several behavioral and inflammatory measures.
Stimulatory effects of (−)-epicatechin and its enantiomer (+)-epicatechin on mouse frontal cortex neurogenesis markers and short-term memory: proof of concept
Navarrete-Yañez et al., 2021 · Food & Function
This mouse study compared (-)-epicatechin with its stereoisomer (+)-epicatechin for effects on frontal-cortex-dependent short-term working memory and neurogenesis-related markers. Both compounds increased markers linked to neuronal proliferation, capillary density, nitric-oxide signaling, and memory performance, with (+)-epicatechin generally showing stronger effects.
Effects of (−)-epicatechin on frontal cortex DAPC and dysbindin of the mdx mice
Estrada-Mena et al., 2017 · Neuroscience Letters
This study evaluated whether (-)-epicatechin could restore dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC) components and dysbindin in the prefrontal cortex of mdx mice, a model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. After four weeks of treatment, (-)-epicatechin partially recovered multiple DAPC-related proteins and associated interactions, suggesting a shift toward a healthier brain protein profile.