Natural Antioxidant Ice-cream, Oxidative Stress and Vascular Function

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
Formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributes to pathogenesis and progression of several diseases. Polyphenols, have been shown to be beneficial against ROS. This study evaluate the effects of a natural antioxidant ice-cream,rich in polyphenols, on oxidative stress, vascular function and physical performance. In this controlled, single-blind cross-over study, 14 healthy subjects were randomized to assume 100 mg of antioxidant ice-cream consisting of dark cocoa powder, extract of hazelnut and green tea, or milk chocolate ice-cream (control ice-cream). Subjects were studied at baseline and two hours after the ingestion of the ice-creams. Serum polyphenols, antioxidant status (ferric reducing ability of plasma, FRAP), NO bioavailability (NOx), markers of oxidative stress (D-Roms and H2O2), endothelium function (FMD and RHI) and exercise tolerance (Stress Test) with measurement of the double product were assessed.

Detailed Description
-----------------
14 healthy, non-smoking, volunteers (7 males ), aged between 20 and 40 years were enrolled. The study was randomized, placebo-controlled. After enrollment, 3 days before entering the study, all subjects performed an exercise stress test. They were then randomly allocated to the treatment sequence with 100 mg of natural anti-oxidant ice cream or milk chocolate ice-cream (control icecream) in a cross-over single-blind design. There was 1 week wash-out between 2 phases of the study. Markers of oxidative stress (D-ROMs and H2O2); serum antioxidant status (FRAP), NO bioavailability (NOx), the endothelium flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD and the RHI by Endopat 2000) were evaluated in fasting condition at baseline (time 0) and 2 hours after the ingestion of the anti-oxidant or control ice-creams. The exercise stress test was performed before randomization and 2 hours after each ice-cream meal test. In both experiments, the ice-cream was consumed within 10 min. Each subject was asked to refrain from any kind of medication, diet integrators, intensive physical activity and to avoid consumption of polyphenols rich foods, such cocoa-containing products, red wine, tea within the previously 2 weeks. All participants gave written informed consent, and the study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of La Sapienza University of Rome (Rif: 3727, Prot: 2325/15).

Official Title
-----------------
Natural Antioxidant Ice-cream Acutely Reduces Oxidative Stress, Improves Vascular Function and Physical Performance in Healthy Subjects

Conditions
-----------------
Vascular System Injuries

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: Antioxidant ice-cream
* Other: Control Ice-cream


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: healthy, non-smoking, volunteers Exclusion Criteria: Assumption of any kind of medication, diet integrators, intensive physical activity and to avoid consumption of polyphenols rich foods, tea within the previously 2 weeks.

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 40 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Antioxidant Ice-cream<br>Natural antioxidant Ice-cream | Other: Antioxidant ice-cream<br>* Narutal Antioxidant ice-cream<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Control Ice-cream<br>Natural control ice-cream | Other: Control Ice-cream<br>* Natural Control Ice-cream<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Endothelial function | Endothelial function will be performed By Endopat2000 and FMD | Acute 2 hours |