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Review
. 2023 Apr 12;24(8):7146.
doi: 10.3390/ijms24087146.

The Influence of Polyphenols on Atherosclerosis Development

Agnieszka Ziółkiewicz  1 , Kamila Kasprzak-Drozd  1 , Robert Rusinek  2 , Ewa Markut-Miotła  3 , Anna Oniszczuk  1
Affiliations
Review

The Influence of Polyphenols on Atherosclerosis Development

Agnieszka Ziółkiewicz et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Polyphenols have attracted tremendous attention due to their pro-health properties, including their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and neuroprotective activities. Atherosclerosis is a vascular disorder underlying several CVDs. One of the main risk factors causing atherosclerosis is the type and quality of food consumed. Therefore, polyphenols represent promising agents in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, as demonstrated by in vitro, animal, preclinical and clinical studies. However, most polyphenols cannot be absorbed directly by the small intestine. Gut microbiota play a crucial role in converting dietary polyphenols into absorbable bioactive substances. An increasing understanding of the field has confirmed that specific GM taxa strains mediate the gut microbiota-atherosclerosis axis. The present study explores the anti-atherosclerotic properties and associated underlying mechanisms of polyphenols. Moreover, it provides a basis for better understanding the relationship between dietary polyphenols, gut microbiota, and cardiovascular benefits.

Keywords: atherosclerosis; cardiovascular diseases; gut microbiota; inflammatory diseases; oxidative stress; polyphenols.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mechanism of the atherosclerotic process.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mechanism of atherosclerosis: ROS modify LDL. Oxidised LDL (Ox-LDL) is formed that interacts with the macrophage scavenger receptor, donating large amounts of lipids to these cells and transforming them into foam cells.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Basic structure of (a) flavan, (b) benzoic acid, (c) cinnamic acid, and (d) stilbene.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The effect of polyphenolic compounds on selected diseases.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Scheme of microbial metabolism of polyphenolics in the gastrointestinal system.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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