Please select the eligibility criteria that correspond to the clinical trial below.
Title: Age-dependent Effects of Flavanol Metabolism and Absorption on Vascular Status After Acute and Chronic Application.
Brief Summary: Epidemiological studies suggest that certain foods rich in flavanols, including cocoa products, red wine, and tea, are associated with decreased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Dietary interventional studies have corroborated this finding and showed that flavanols can acutely and after sustained ingestion improve surrogate markers of cardiovascular risk including endothelial function. Endothelial dysfunction is the key event in the development and progression of cardiovascular disease. Aging is the major non-modifiable cardiovascular risk factor associated with progressive decline in endothelial function, vascular stiffening and increase in blood pressure. We hypothesize that flavanols can counteract age-dependent vascular changes by interacting with key mechanisms, most prominently endothelial function.


Options:
A: Inclusion Criteria

* Female
* Having had a natural menopause and a minimum of 1 year since last menstruation
* Caucasian
* under 70 years
* Type 2 diabetics
* Those using statins (≥40 mg simvastatin or ≥10 mg atorvastatin) for at least 12 months
* Not currently taking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and not having taken HRT for a minimum of 6 months prior to commencement
* Having no significant past or present medical history of vascular disease, or cancers (specifically breast, uterine or ovarian)
* Never-smokers, and ex-smokers who have given up smoking at least 12 months before recruitment to the study

Exclusion Criteria

* Currently taking HRT or having taken this medication within 6 months of the trial
* Those prescribed to use statin therapy for less than 12 months Significant past or present medical history of vascular disease (including ECG and enzyme confirmed myocardial infarction, clinical angina, ischaemic stroke peripheral vascular disease, intermittent claudication) or cancer (especially breast, uterine or ovarian)
* Hypertensive's with a systolic BP ≥ 160 mm Hg at maximum, or hypertensive's with a systolic BP ≤160 mm Hg at maximum, but who have received antihypertensive therapy for less than 12 months or have had increases to their medication indicating poor control
* Current smokers or those having given up smoking less than 12 months before recruitment to the study
* Those prescribed aspirin for a period of less than 12 months prior to recruitment
* Those prescribed insulin for a period of less than 12 months prior to recruitment and those having had increases to their medication indicating poor control
* Regular non-prescribed use of anti-inflammatory pain relief medication (i.e. aspirin, paracetamol, cocodamol).
* Taking other counter indicative medication e.g. steroidal medication during the trial, or within 1 month of the trial beginning.
* Taking food / dietary supplements e.g. vitamins, minerals, fish oils, plant oils, isoflavones, soy products, carotenoids during the trial (unless prepared to cease intake during, and 1 month preceding the trial).
* Having vaccinations (excluding the flu vaccination) or antibiotics within 3 months of start of trial, and those with vaccinations scheduled for during the trial
* Parallel participation in another research project which involves dietary intervention and/or sampling of biological fluids/material
* Assessed from the clinical screening: HbA1c ≥ 10%; Creatinine \>125µmol/L; ALP \> 378 IU/L; ALT \>150 IU/L; GGT \> 180 IU/L
B: Inclusion Criteria:

1. Heart failure ( NYHA ≥II, LVEF\<50%, independent of aetiology)
2. Nonsmokers
3. Age: 30-80
4. Written obtained informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Decompensated Heart failure
2. Instable Angina pectoris
3. Smokers
4. Ventricular tachyarrhythmias or AV-Block \>I°
5. Renal failure (\>200 umol)
6. Liver disease (ALT or AST \>150 IU)
7. Diabetes mellitus
8. Obesity (BMI \>30 kg/m2)
9. Symptomatic hypotension, hypertension \>160/100mmHg
10. Known allergy to compounds of Nestlé noir intense
11. History of gastric ulcer or bleeding, current diarrhea
12. Venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, at present or recurrent history of Infectious disease, acutely or chronic
13. Disease with systemic inflammation (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, M. Crohn)
14. Neoplasia (unless healed or remission \>5 years)
15. Participation in another study within the last month
16. Concomitant vitamin supplements
C: Inclusion Criteria:

* healthy male participants between 18-35 years
* healthy male participants between 50-80 years

Exclusion Criteria:

* acute inflammation
* cardiac arrhythmia
* renal failure
* heart failure (NYHA II-IV)
* diabetes mellitus
* CRP \> 1 mg/dl
* malignant disease
D: Inclusion Criteria:

* Young adults.
* Aged between 20 and 40 years.
* Both sexes.
* Those agree to sign the informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of cardiovascular events (acute myocardial infarction, stroke, etc.).
* History of hypertension, diabetes mellitus or dyslipidemia.
* Pharmacological treatment for any of the above conditions.
* Diagnosis of clinically demonstrable neurological and/or neuropsychological disease.
* Excessive consumption of toxic substances.
* Celiac patients and/or those intolerant to lactose.
* Subjects on a low-calorie and/or low-sodium diet.
* Pregnant women.
* Those with any other circumstance that the investigators consider could interfere with the study procedures.

Answer: C