The inhibitory effect of cacao liquor crude polyphenols (CLP) on experimental arteriosclerosis with calcification in rat soft tissue

Cacao liquor crude polyphenols (CLP) contained potent anti-oxidants, such as catechin, and their oligomers. An investigation was conducted on the effects of CLP on experimental arteriosclerosis with calcification in rats, induced by giving vitamin D₂ (2.5 × 10⁵ I.U./kg) for the first 4 consecutive days with an atherogenic diet (2% cholesterol, 1.5% cholic acid, 0.1% methylthiouracil). The diet was prepared using a vitamin E deficient diet. CLP inhibited the increase of serum lipid peroxides, the increase of calcium (Ca) in the aorta, the increase of Ca and inorganic phosphorus (P) in the aortic elastin fraction, or in the renal Ca and P of the arteriosclerotic rats. Previously, vitamin E and vitamin K₂ showed anti-calcification and radical scavenging activities under the above experimental conditions without vitamin E deficiency. Moreover, CLP reduced lipid peroxides in plasma and in tissue induced by vitamin E deficiency, without maintaining vitamin E levels. It is suggested that the inhibitory effects of CLP on the accumulation of Ca and P in the aorta or kidney were partially due to an anti-oxidant activity.