Effect of Cacao on Plasma F2-Isoprostane Level, CD34 and ICAM-1 Expression of Coronary Arteries in Cigarette Smoking Exposed Rats

Abstract

This research aimed to evaluate cardioprotective effects of cacao in smoking exposure condition that
the effects were mediated through the anti-oxidant pathway by measure plasma F2-isoprostane level,
Endothelial Progenitor Cell (EPC) enhancement by expression of CD34, while dysfunction endothelial
condition was measured by expression of ICAM-1 in coronary arteries. This study subjected rats, divided
into four groups: the normal control group (2 ml of aqua bidest, air exposure); the cigarette control group (2
ml of aqua bidest, cigarette smoke); cacao group 1 (1205 mg/kg BW/day, cigarette smoke); cocoa group 2
(2410 mg/kg BW/day, cigarette smoke). The oxidant biomarker, F2-isoprostane level was assessed using
ELISA; CD34, and ICAM-1 expression in coronary arteries by immunohistochemistry. Cacao 1205 mg/kg
BW/day significantly decreases plasma F2-isoprostane level, and ICAM-1 expression of coronary arteries in
cigarette smoking exposed rat (p < 0.05) but there was not a significant increases CD34 (p < 0.05). Cocoa in
cigarette smoke-exposed rats can prevent endothelial dysfunction through decrease F2-isoprostane but not
increase CD34. The results of this study can be used as a basis for preventing endothelial dysfunction due
to cigarette smoke by using cacao.