GPER Receptor and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Production
The authors report that the effects of (-)-epicatechin in endothelial cells involve GPER, adding a specific receptor-linked explanation for observed vascular signaling responses.
Postprandial Fat Oxidation and Epicatechin
This human study assessed short-term metabolic effects of an oral (-)-epicatechin supplement after meals, reporting changes in postprandial fat and carbohydrate handling in normal and overweight participants.
Perilipin Expression and Liver Fat Metabolism in NASH
Using a diet-induced NASH model, this study tracked the time course of perilipin expression and assessed how (-)-epicatechin altered those lipid-droplet–related responses over time.
Endothelial Cell Aging Reversal and Vascular Function
This paper reports that (-)-epicatechin reversed several features of endothelial cell aging and improved vascular function, while also exploring the mechanisms behind those changes.
Exercise Capacity, Dark Chocolate, and Mitochondrial Efficiency
In sedentary adults, dark chocolate intake improved exercise-related performance measures, including work achieved and VO2 max trends, with mechanistic data pointing toward mitochondrial efficiency and upstream signaling changes.
Cell Membrane Signaling and Endothelial Response to (-)-Epicatechin
This paper provides evidence that (-)-epicatechin can trigger endothelial signaling through a cell-surface receptor mechanism, supporting membrane-initiated signaling rather than only intracellular antioxidant activity.
White Fat Browning and Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Adipose Tissue
This study found that (-)-epicatechin promoted browning-related changes in adipocytes and white adipose tissue, with associated improvements in mitochondrial function and thermogenic markers.
Endothelial Cell Aging, Vascular Function, and Nitric Oxide
This study identifies arginase inhibition as a key mechanism by which (-)-epicatechin reverses endothelial cell aging, tying vascular anti-aging effects to a defined enzymatic pathway.
Oxidative Stress Regulation in Skeletal Muscle Under Clinical Metabolic Strain
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.
Mitochondrial Biogenesis, Muscle Regeneration, and Human Neuromuscular Disease
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.
Fatigue Resistance, Oxidative Capacity, and Muscle Energy
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.
Cognitive Recovery, Inflammation, and Mitochondrial Restoration in Gulf War Illness
This study examined a Gulf War illness model and reported neurological restorative effects with (-)-epicatechin treatment, extending the literature into neurobehavioral and neuroinflammatory contexts.