Vinegar intake enhances flow-mediated vasodilatation via upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity

But what EXACTLY is the best way to get better blood flow? And wouldn't you immediately want better blood flow to your brain to try to save some of the neurons in the penumbra?

So ask your doctor for EXACT PROTOCOLS to increase blood flow.  These 72 posts contain my writings and ideas on increasing blood flow.  DO NOT FOLLOW THEM, I'M NOT MEDICALLY TRAINED. Your doctor supposedly is, so ask him/her. 

• blood flow (72 posts)

The latest here:

Vinegar intake enhances flow-mediated vasodilatation via upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity

Sakakibara S¹, Murakami R, Takahashi M, Fushimi T, Murohara T, Kishi M, Kajimoto Y, Kitakaze M, Kaga T.

Author information

Abstract

This study examined the effect of acetate on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by immunoblotting assay and the ability of acetic acid to upregulate flow-mediated vasodilatation in humans. In HUVECs, acetate induced a biphasic increase in the phosphorylated form of eNOS. The amount of phosphorylated eNOS was significantly increased by exposure to 200 mumol/l acetate for 20 min (early phase) and for 4 h (late phase). The inhibitors of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) blocked acetate-induced eNOS phosphorylation in the early and the late phase respectively. Furthermore, in postmenopausal women, maximum forearm blood flow (FBF) in response to shear stress increased in the vinegar (acetic acid) administered group compared to the placebo group. These results suggest that acetic acid-induced eNOS phosphorylation contributes to upregulation of flow-mediated vasodilatation in humans.

PMID:

20460711

DOI:

10.1271/bbb.90953

[Indexed for MEDLINE]

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Cocoa Flavanols: Scientifically proven health benefits

Nothing in here is useful, just general statements, no idea how much to injest. More work that should be accomplished by our fucking failures of stroke associations. 

Cocoa Flavanols: Scientifically proven health benefits

Flavanols are a distinct group of naturally occurring compounds that can be found in a variety of foods such as tea, red wine, blueberries and raw cocoa. Cocoa flavanols refers to the group of bioactives found naturally in fresh cocoa beans. Cocoa is an especially rich source of flavanols and the type and mixture of flavanols and procyanidins found in cocoa is unique. Many studies show cocoa flavanols have a range of proven health benefits, including improved circulation and cardiovascular health. A new study from the University of Dusseldorf in Germany was published in Age and the British Journal of Nutrition (BJN) stating that cocoa flavanol intake reduces 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease and lowers blood pressure in healthy people by improving cardiovascular function and lessening the burden on the heart that comes with the aging and stiffening of arteries.
The chocolate producing giant Mars, Incorporated is a member of FLAVIOLA – a pan-European research project. The project aims to provide crucial insights into the nutritional and biomedical properties of flavanols ranging from the cellular level to their impact on the population at large. FLAVIOLA’s vision is that through collaborative and cutting-edge research, it will lay the foundation for the development of evidence-based dietary recommendations and innovative food products that harness the benefits of flavanols for cardiovascular health.
As we age, our blood vessels become less flexible and less able to expand to let blood flow and circulate normally, and the risk of hypertension also increases. “With the world population getting older, the incidence of cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and stroke will only increase,” says Professor Malte Kelm, Professor of Cardiology, Pulmonary Diseases and Vascular Medicine at University Hospital Düsseldorf and Scientific Director of FLAVIOLA. “It is therefore pivotal that we understand the positive impact diet can have on cardiovascular disease risk. As part of this, we want to know what role flavanol-containing foods could play in maintaining the health of the heart and blood vessels.”
Earlier studies have demonstrated that cocoa flavanol intake improves the elasticity of blood vessels and lowers blood pressure — but, for the most part, these investigations have focused on high-risk individuals like smokers and people that have already been diagnosed with conditions like hypertension and coronary heart disease. The two studies in Age and BJN are the first to look at the different effects dietary cocoa flavanols can have on the blood vessels of healthy, low-risk individuals with no signs or symptoms of cardiovascular disease.
In the study published in Age, two groups of 22 young ( less than 35 years of age) and 20 older (50-80 years of age) healthy men consumed either a flavanol-containing drink, or a flavanol-free control drink, twice a day for two weeks. The researchers then measured the effect of flavanols on hallmarks of cardiovascular aging, such as arterial stiffness (as measured by pulse wave velocity), blood pressure and flow-mediated vasodilation (the extent to which blood vessels dilate in response to nitric oxide). They found that vasodilation was significantly improved in both age groups that consumed flavanols over the course of the study (by 33% in the younger age group and 32% in the older age group over the control intervention). In the older age group, a statistically and clinically significant decrease in systolic blood pressure was also seen.
In the second study, published in BJN, the researchers extended their investigations to a larger group (100) of healthy middle-aged men and women (35-60 years) with low risk of CVD. The participants were randomly and blindly assigned into groups that consumed either a flavanol-containing drink or a flavanol-free control drink, twice a day for four weeks. The researchers also measured cholesterol levels in the study groups, in addition to vasodilation, arterial stiffness and blood pressure.
“We found that intake of flavanols significantly improves several of the hallmarks of cardiovascular health,” says Professor Kelm. In particular, the researchers found that consuming flavanols for four weeks significantly increased flow-mediated vasodilation by 21%. Increased flow-mediated vasodilation is a sign of improved endothelial function and has been shown by some studies to be associated with decreased risk of developing CVD. In addition, taking flavanols decreased blood pressure and improved the blood cholesterol profile by decreasing total cholesterol. The combined results of these studies demonstrate that flavanols are effective at mitigating age-related changes in blood vessels, and could thereby reduce the risk of CVD in healthy individuals. Professor Kelm comments that “the reduction seen in risk scores suggests that flavanols may have primary preventive potential for CVD.” Other longer-term studies, such as the 5-year COcoa Supplement and Multivitamin Outcomes Study (COSMOS) of 18,000 men and women, are now underway to investigate the health potential of flavanols on a much larger scale.
Although dietary intake of flavanols has been shown to have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health, the compounds are often destroyed during normal food processing. So don't take this information as a license to add excessive amount of chocolate candy to your diet. Rather look for less processed sources of cocoa flavanols. For more information, visit Mars Center for Cocoa Health Science at www.marscocoascience.com .

NOOTROPICS IN COMPLEX THERAPY OF CHRONIC CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA

With 13 pages and 58 references in here this is too much for a stroke-addled non-medical person like myself to have any understanding of how to apply this to survivors. So either you are going to have to become a genius or you wait 200 years before this is translated into stroke protocols. Your choice. Your doctor has already had two years to figure this out and I bet has done absolutely nothing.

NOOTROPICS IN COMPLEX THERAPY OF CHRONIC CEREBRAL ISCHEMIA

No longer available, so you'll have to ask your doctor to find it. If your doctor is any good at all they will have it in their stroke references
If your doctors aren't salivating over having all these possibilities laid out for them to help survivors you have idiots for doctors. This should in any reasonable world trigger dozens of clinical trials. But it won't because SOMEONE ELSE WILL SOLVE THOSE FUCKING PROBLEMS.
But not in your lifetime.

CLASSIFICATION OF NOOTROPICS

In clinical practice, these drugs are classified

into two major groups: nootropics of direct ac-

tion (cognitive enhancers) and neuroprotective

agents [31, 32]:

I. Cognitive enhancers or «true» nootropics:

1. Pyrrolidone nootropics(racetams) with pre-

dominant metabolite action: Piracetam, Fenotro-

pil combined racetams (Thiocetam, Olatropil, and

Phezam).

2. Cholinergic agents: enhancers of synthesis and

release of acetylcholine (Phosphatidylserine, leci-

thin, Citicoline); cholinergic receptor agonists (Oxo-

tremorine, Bethanechol); and acetylcholi nes terase

inhibitors (Physostigmine, Galantha mine, etc.)

3. Neuropeptides and neurotrophic cerebroprotec-

tors: Semax, Cerebrolysin, Cortexin, Cerebrocu rin.

4. Modulators of glutamatergic system:

a) low-affinity NMDA receptor polyamine site antago-

nists and partial agonists of AMPA receptors: Me-

mantine, Ademol);

b) AMPA receptor agonists: Nooglutyl;

c) AMPA receptor partial agonists, as well as en-

hancers of noradrenaline and dopamine release:

(Ritalin, Donepezil);

d) NMDA receptor co-agonists: glycine;

e) NMDA mimetics: glutamic acid, D-cycloserine.

5. Dopamine receptor agonists: Pronoran;

6. GABA receptor agonists: Baclofen.

II. Neuroprotective agents:

1. Activators of brain metabolism: Mildronat,

Phosphatidylserine, xanthine derivatives of Pen-

toxifylline, etc.

2. Cerebral vasodilators: Vincamine, Vinpocet-

ine, Nicergoline, etc.

3. Calcium channel blockers: Nimodipine, Cin-

narizine, Flunarizine, etc.

4. Antioxidants: Mexidol, a-tocopheryl acetate,

Thiotriazoline, Emoxipin, Cytoflavin, Glutoxim.

5. Substances affecting the GABA system

: Ami-nalon (Gammalon), Pathogen, Picamilon, Fenib-

ut (Noofen), sodium hydroxybutyrate.

6. Different groups of substances: orotic acid,

Naftidrofuryl, ginseng, lemongrass, Ginkgo bi lo-

ba, and Siberian ginseng.

For the direct nootropics the effect on memory

is the main action, although they have other phar-

macological properties (anticonvulsant, antihy-

poxic, circulatory, antioxidant, etc.) as well. The

direct nootropics include substances with very

different structure, from the relatively simple ra-

cetams to the complex peptide formations. The

neuroprotective agents comprise brain metabo-

lism activators, cerebral vasodilators, calcium an-

tagonists, antioxidants, and substances affecting

GABA system.

Endothelin Receptors, Mitochondria and Neurogenesis in Cerebral Ischemia

This would seem to be incredibly important to find out, getting more nitric oxide and increasing blood flow to the brain. I bet nothing will occur because we have NO stroke leadership or stroke strategy. We are completely fucked because we have fucking failures for stroke associations. I weep for your children and grandchildren. Will no one think of the children? Will no one think at all? 

Endothelin Receptors, Mitochondria and Neurogenesis in Cerebral Ischemia

Gulati A¹.

Author information

Abstract

The ET family consists of three isopeptides (ET-1, ET-2 and ET-3) that produce biological actions by acting on two types of receptors (ETA and ETB). Stimulation of ETA receptors produces potent vasoconstrictor effect, while activation of ETB receptors causes vasodilation by releasing nitric oxide (NO) and prostacyclins. In the central nervous system (CNS) ETA receptors are potent constrictors of the cerebral vasculature and appear to contribute in the causation of cerebral ischemia. ETA receptor antagonists have been found to be effective in animal model of cerebral ischemia; however, clinical studies have shown no efficacy.(Well don't give up, figure out why) Mitochondrial functions are critically important for several neural development processes such as neurogenesis, axonal and dendritic growth, and synaptic formation. ET appears to impair mitochondrial functions through activation of ETA receptors. On the other hand, blocking ETB receptors has been shown to trigger apoptotic processes by activating intrinsic mitochondrial pathway. Mitochondria are important for their role in molecular regulation of neurogenesis and angiogenesis. Stimulation of ETB receptors in the adult ischemic brain has been found to promote angiogenesis and neurogenesis mediated through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF). It will be interesting to investigate the effect of ETB receptor stimulation on mitochondrial functions in the CNS following cerebral ischemia. In the CNS stimulation of ETB receptors has a beneficial effect in animal models of stroke. Since angiogenesis and neurogenesis have recently been implicated in cerebral ischemia, the positive effect of stimulating ETB receptors in cerebral ischemia may be mediated through mitochondrial functions.

 

Dark chocolate consumption improves leukocyte adhesion factors and vascular function in overweight men

I may be 15-20 pounds overweight. Is that enough to get the benefits from dark chocolate consumption? And what about the women? Can I give them dark chocolate and tell them its healthy?

Dark chocolate consumption improves leukocyte adhesion factors and vascular function in overweight men

1. Diederik Esser*,^†,
2. Monica Mars*,^†,
3. Els Oosterink*,^†,
4. Angelique Stalmach^‡,
5. Michael Müller*,^† and
6. Lydia A. Afman*,^†,¹

+ Author Affiliations

1. ^*Top Institute Food and Nutrition, Wageningen, The Netherlands;
2. ^†Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands; and
3. ^‡Centre for Population and Health Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK

1. ↵1Correspondence: Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Bomenweg 2, 6703 HD Wageningen, The Netherlands. E-mail: lydia.afman@wur.nl

Abstract

Flavanol-enriched chocolate consumption increases endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Most research so far has focused on flow-mediated dilation (FMD) only; the effects on other factors relevant to endothelial health, such as inflammation and leukocyte adhesion, have hardly been addressed. We investigated whether consumption of regular dark chocolate also affects other markers of endothelial health, and whether chocolate enrichment with flavanols has additional benefits. In a randomized double-blind crossover study, the effects of acute and of 4 wk daily consumption of high flavanol chocolate (HFC) and normal flavanol chocolate (NFC) on FMD, augmentation index (AIX), leukocyte count, plasma cytokines, and leukocyte cell surface molecules in overweight men (age 45–70 yr) were investigated. Sensory profiles and motivation scores to eat chocolate were also collected. Findings showed that a 4 wk chocolate intake increased FMD by 1%, which was paralleled by a decreased AIX of 1%, decreased leukocyte cell count, decreased plasma sICAM1 and sICAM3, and decreased leukocyte adhesion marker expression (P<0.05 for time effect), with no difference between HFC and NFC consumption. Flavanol enrichment did affect taste and negatively affected motivation to consume chocolate. This study provides new insights on how chocolate affects endothelial health by demonstrating that chocolate consumption, besides improving vascular function, also lowers the adherence capacity of leukocytes in the circulation.—Esser, D., Mars, M., Oosterink, E., Stalmach, A., Müller, M., Afman, L.A. Dark chocolate consumption improves leukocyte adhesion factors and vascular function in overweight men.