Sigrid Theunissen1, Costantino Balestra2, Antoine Boutros3, David De Bels4, François Guerrero5, Peter Germonpré6. 1. Université de Bretagne Occidentale, UFR Sciences et Techniques, Brest, Environmental, Occupational and Aging Physiology Department, Haute Ecole Paul Henri Spaak - ISEK, 91 Av C Schaller, B 1160 Brussels, Belgium, Phone: +32-(0)2-660-2027, Fax: +32-(0)2-660-0334, E-mail: theunissen@he-spaak.be. 2. Haute Ecole Paul-Henri Spaak, Environmental and Occupational and Aging Physiology Laboratory, DAN Europe Research, Brussels, Belgium. 3. Haute Ecole Paul-Henri Spaak, Environmental and Occupational and Aging Physiology Laboratory, Brussels, Belgium. 4. Brugmann University Hospital, Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Brussels, Belgium. 5. Université de Bretagne Occidentale, UFR Sciences et Techniques, Brest. 6. Center for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Military Hospital Queen Astrid, Brussels, Belgium.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to observe the effects of dark chocolate on endothelial function after scuba diving. METHODS: Forty-two male scuba divers were divided into two groups: a control (n=21) and a chocolate group (n=21). They performed a 33-metres deep scuba-air dive for 20 minutes in a diving pool (Nemo 33, Brussels). Water temperature was 33⁰C. The chocolate group ingested 30 g of dark chocolate (86% cocoa) 90 minutes before the dive. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), digital photoplethysmography and nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrites (ONOO-) levels were measured before and after the scuba dive in both groups. RESULTS: A significant decrease in FMD was observed in the control group after the dive (91±7% (mean±95% confidence interval) of pre-dive values; P<0.001) while it was increased in the chocolate group (105±5% of pre-dive values; P<0.001). No difference in digital photoplethysmography was observed between before and after the dives. No variation of circulating NO level was observed in the control group whereas an increase was shown in the chocolate group (154±73% of pre-dive values; P=0.04). A significant reduction in ONOO- was observed in the control group (84±12% of pre-dive values; P=0.003) whereas no variation was shown after the dive with chocolate intake (100±28% of pre-dive values; ns). CONCLUSIONS: Ingestion of 30 g of dark chocolate 90 minutes before scuba diving prevented post-dive endothelial dysfunction, as the antioxidants contained in dark chocolate probably scavenge free radicals.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to observe the effects of dark chocolate on endothelial function after scuba diving. METHODS: Forty-two male scuba divers were divided into two groups: a control (n=21) and a chocolate group (n=21). They performed a 33-metres deep scuba-air dive for 20 minutes in a diving pool (Nemo 33, Brussels). Water temperature was 33⁰C. The chocolate group ingested 30 g of dark chocolate (86% cocoa) 90 minutes before the dive. Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), digital photoplethysmography and nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrites (ONOO-) levels were measured before and after the scuba dive in both groups. RESULTS: A significant decrease in FMD was observed in the control group after the dive (91±7% (mean±95% confidence interval) of pre-dive values; P<0.001) while it was increased in the chocolate group (105±5% of pre-dive values; P<0.001). No difference in digital photoplethysmography was observed between before and after the dives. No variation of circulating NO level was observed in the control group whereas an increase was shown in the chocolate group (154±73% of pre-dive values; P=0.04). A significant reduction in ONOO- was observed in the control group (84±12% of pre-dive values; P=0.003) whereas no variation was shown after the dive with chocolate intake (100±28% of pre-dive values; ns). CONCLUSIONS: Ingestion of 30 g of dark chocolate 90 minutes before scuba diving prevented post-dive endothelial dysfunction, as the antioxidants contained in dark chocolate probably scavenge free radicals.
Authors: François Guerrero; Kate Lambrechts; Qiong Wang; Aleksandra Mazur; Michael Théron; Alessandro Marroni Journal: Diving Hyperb Med Date: 2020-09-30 Impact factor: 0.887
Authors: Costantino Balestra; Sigrid Theunissen; Virginie Papadopoulou; Cedric Le Mener; Peter Germonpré; François Guerrero; Pierre Lafère Journal: Front Physiol Date: 2016-11-30 Impact factor: 4.566
Authors: Morgan Levenez; Kate Lambrechts; Simona Mrakic-Sposta; Alessandra Vezzoli; Peter Germonpré; Hadrien Pique; Fabio Virgili; Gerardo Bosco; Pierre Lafère; Costantino Balestra Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-01-15 Impact factor: 3.390