The Article I have chosen Is based on changes in gene expression before and after high levels of cocoa powder intake. As someone always interested in diets and nutrition from the scientific level to the physical level, I found this topic very interesting. I had no idea that diets could influence gene expression. This experiment used Polyphenols cocoa powder, which was not a random ingredient chosen for gene expression but is a family of naturally occurring organic compounds known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Also effecting multiple factors battling against chronic disease, high blood pressure, and other stress related diseases.
The purpose of this experiment was to observe the affect that high levels of polyphenol cocoa powder had on gene expression on peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC’s). particularly observing the (−)-epicatechin metabolites that are found in plasma and blood. This is how the scientists were able to observe the antioxidant response by observing the levels of the metabolites detected.
The experiment was done using 2 groups of 10 young and healthy adults aging between 18 and 40 years old. Group 1 consumed the cocoa then placebo sequence while group 2 consumed the placebo then cocoa sequence. 2 blood samples were taken before as a baseline and 2 after treatment. During which neither groups diet was changed the participants were only asked to avoid polyphenol high products such as black tea, red wine, etc. The blood samples were taken 2 hours after treatment during fasting conditions to assure the cocoa powder had taken its maximum effect. Antioxidant capacity and gene expression changes were observed in PBMC’s using microarray and ingenuity pathway analysis.
These results were almost as expected as the participants blood samples after the cocoa intake had much higher concentrations of the (−)-epicatechin metabolites and 98 genes showed expression changes after the cocoa intake. While the placebo group only showed changes in 18 genes. The genes that expressed change included anti-inflammatory genes, cytokines, and other molecules involved in redox balance. With that being said, there were no changes to metabolites in plasma or antioxidant capacity that were observed. The results suggested more anti-inflammatory effects.
The results support what was already expected of the physical effects of high polyphenol cocoa powder but are now backed by gene expression evidence in this experiment. This was very interesting as now I know how diet could affect gene expression and even help in medical sciences with different diets affecting things such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other properties. This was just a small experiment that could be a steppingstone to much more complex experiments in the medical field for the future. With mRNA viruses affecting the world today, this experiment raises my curiosity of diets that could help to prevent and or treat sickness today.
Citation:
Citation:Barrera-Reyes, P.K., Hernández-Ramírez, N., Cortés, J. et al. Gene expression changes by high-polyphenols cocoa powder intake: a randomized crossover clinical study. Nature 58, 1887–1898(2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-018-1736-8