We know that antioxidants such as vitamin E may slow development of atherosclerosis by reducing oxidation of LDL (1). So I bring to your attention a just-released study of note on antioxidant procyanidins of grape seed extract (2). The study was proposes a “corrective role” of the procyanidins on foam cells because of results in vitro that suggest the antioxidant effects reduce cholesterol and lipid accumulation as well as modulate expression of genes that play a role in inflammation (2).
Reference List
1. Gropper SS, Smith JL, Groff JL. Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism. Belmont, CA: Thomson Wadsworth, 2009. 2. Terra X, Fernandez-Larrea J, Pujadas G et al. Inhibitory effects of grape seed procyanidins on foam cell formation in vitro. J Agric Food Chem 2009;57:2588-94.
