Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an association
between high-polyphenol intake and reduced incidence of atherosclerosis. The healthy effects
of cocoa-polyphenols may be due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, although
the exact mechanisms are unknown and depend on the matrix in which cocoa-polyphenols are
delivered. Nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) is a key molecule in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis
involved in the regulation of adhesion molecules(AM) and cytokine expression and its activation
is the first step in triggering the inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to
evaluate the effect of acute cocoa consumption in different matrices related to the bioavailability
of cocoa-polyphenols in NF-kB activation and the expression of AM.