Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Diet is one of the main factors involved in healthy aging, and certain substances in food may help to maintain good health. Studies have found that a diet rich in cocoa polyphenols reduces age-related diseases, in particular the risk factors of heart diseases. Several studies have investigated how cocoa polyphenols potentially reduce heart disease risk, highlighting their ability to reduce lipid (fat) oxidation and blood pressure, and improve lipid and glucose (sugar) metabolism. However, there is little evidence that consuming cocoa polyphenols reduces inflammation. The aim of this study is to measure the effect of 4 weeks of cocoa consumption on markers of oxidative damage and heart health.
Who can participate?
Healthy individuals aged 25-50
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated into three groups. The first group takes two pills of cocoa per day, the second group takes four pills per day, and the third group takes eight pills per day. The treatment duration is 4 weeks. The participants are instructed to maintain their usual diet during the study, and refrain from consuming chocolate or flavanol-containing products starting from 3 days before the start of the treatment, and particularly 24 hours before the blood and urine collections. Blood and urine samples are collected before the start of the treatment, 2 hours after the first consumption of cocoa, and again after 2 and 4 weeks.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Based on the results of the latest studies, cocoa may have potential benefits on oxidative damage and blood fatty acid levels. Cocoa is not considered to be toxic. Moreover, there is compelling evidence from basic science and clinical studies that cocoa nutritional interventions are safe and well tolerated.
Where is the study run from?
Inter-University Consortium “SannioTech” (Italy)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
February 2015 to November 2016
Who is funding the study?
CasaLuker S.A. (Colombia)
Who is the main contact?
Dr Giovanni Scapagnini
Trial website
Contact information
Type
Scientific
Primary contact
Prof Giovanni Scapagnini
ORCID ID
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1592-5586
Contact details
Via De sanctis
1
Campobasso
86100
Italy
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
NO. R.F. Rev. 1-10292014
Study information
Scientific title
A nutritional supplementation study with Colombian high flavanol cocoa (CHFC): a randomised controlled trial
Acronym
CHFC
Study hypothesis
To study in young and middle age healthy individuals the effect of a dietary intervention with Colombian High Flavanols Cocoa (CHFC) on biomarkers of oxidative damage and cardiovascular health.
Ethics approval
Independent Ethics Committee of the Hospital Gaetano Rummo, 02/09/2014, Clinical Protocol NO. R.F. Rev. 1-10292014
Study design
Randomised controlled trial
Primary study design
Interventional
Secondary study design
Randomised controlled trial
Trial setting
GP practices
Trial type
Prevention
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Condition
Cardiovascular health
Intervention
A restricted randomization list was created using PASS 2008 (PASS, LLC. Kaysville, UT, USA) statistical software running on Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard SP1 64 bit Edition (Microsoft, USA) by a biostatistician and stored in a safe place. Randomization sequence was stratified using 10% maximum allowable % deviation with a 1:1 allocation ratio. The allocation sequence was concealed from the in site study director in sequentially numbered, opaque, and sealed envelopes, reporting the unblinded treatment allocation (based on subject entry number in the study). The A4 sheet reporting the unblinded treatment was folded to render the envelope impermeable to intense light. After acceptance of the subject in the study the appropriate numbered envelope was opened. An independent technician dispensed either active or placebo products according to the card inside the envelope. The study adhered to established procedures to maintain separation between the investigator and its collaborators and the staff that delivered the intervention. Investigator and its collaborators who obtained outcome measurements were not informed on the product group assignment. Staff who delivered the intervention did not take outcome measurements. Subjects, investigator and collaborators were kept masked to products assignment.
Participants were randomized into three groups:
1. The first group took two pills (500 mg) of cocoa/day (1 gram of cocoa/day; ~ 55 mg flavanols)
2. The second group took four pills/day (2 grams in total; ~ 110 mg flavanols)
3. The last group took 8 pills/day (4 grams total ~ 220 mg flavanols)
The participants were instructed to maintain their usual dietary intakes during the trial, and requested to refrain from consuming chocolate or flavanol-containing products starting from 3 days before the beginning of the treatment, and particularly 24 hours before the blood and urine collections. All subjects declared that they did not change their diets during the course of the study and they attended our medical facility every week to assess clinical conditions and adherence to the protocol. Before the beginning of the nutritional treatment (t-0) blood and urine samples were collected, clinical assessment, MNA (Mini Nutritional Assessment) and body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) were also determined. A second blood sample was collected after 2 hours from the first consumption of CHFC. Subjects consumed the allocated amount of CHFC in one single dosage daily. Blood and urine samples were collected again after 2 and 4 weeks. Together with the last collection, subjects received a final clinical assessment of MNA and BMI.
Intervention type
Supplement
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measures
Primary and secondary outcomes were measured at the same timepoints: before the beginning of the treatment (T-0) and after 2 hours (T-1), 2 weeks (T-2) and 4 weeks (T-3).
1. Urinary F2-Isoprostanes, determined by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) of morning urine sampled at the beginning of the study (baseline), at 2 weeks, and at the end of the study (4 weeks)
2. Plasma glutathione, determined with Glutathione HPLC kit (ImmundiagnostikAG, Bensheim, Germany) in whole blood samples
3. Blood fatty acid composition, analyzed by gas chromatography (Shimadzu) using a 30-m Omegawax 320 (Supelco-Sigma) capillary column
4. Plasma concentration of oxidized LDL, measured by a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method using a commercially available kit (Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany)
Secondary outcome measures
Triglycerides, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLc), measured using colorimetric enzymatic tests (Thermo Scientific, Waltham, MA) before the beginning of the treatment (T-0) and after 2 hours (T-1), 2 weeks (T-2) and 4 weeks (T-3).
Overall trial start date
20/02/2015
Overall trial end date
30/11/2016
Reason abandoned
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Age 25–50 years
2. Good general health
3. Body mass index between 22 and 30 kg/m2
4. No history of chronic diseases
Participant type
Healthy volunteer
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
50
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Individuals who were taking anti-inflammatory drugs, cardiovascular medications, lipid-altering drugs, and hormone replacement therapy
2. Smokers
3. Individuals engaged in vigorous exercise
4. Vegetarians
5. People who routinely take multivitamins or herbal supplements
Recruitment start date
10/12/2015
Recruitment end date
01/12/2016
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Italy
Trial participating centre
Inter-University Consortium “SannioTech”
Piazza Giuseppe Moscati 8
Apollosa
82030
Italy
Funders
Funder type
Industry
Funder name
CasaLuker S.A.
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
Planned publication in a high-impact peer reviewed journal.
IPD sharing statement
The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Dr Giovanni Scapagnini.
Intention to publish date
30/11/2017
Participant level data
Available on request
Results - basic reporting
Publication summary