Isolation and characterization of a pulse crop-derived bioactive that improves arterial stiffness

血管物理特性的变化（特别是动脉僵硬或硬化的开始）发生得很早（即症状前），但很难检测到。此外，能够诊断动脉硬化增加的设备在标准诊所是不可用的。最近的研究表明，动脉硬化发生得早，预示着心脏病发作或中风的风险更高。然而，这种心脏病的早期标志可能是生活方式改变的结果。饮食的作用可能特别相关，因为从植物中提取的各种化合物与动脉僵硬的改善有关。因此，多摄入这些化合物可以减缓或预防这些疾病。豆类作物（豌豆、豆类、扁豆、鹰嘴豆）和豆类（包括大豆）以其高纤维含量和低血糖负荷而闻名。然而，现在人们逐渐认识到，豆类作物也含有大量的植物化学物质，可以提供额外的好处。人们认识到这些植物化学物质可以改善血液流动和动脉硬化，但没有研究直接检查这些化合物在脉冲中。然而，在最近完成的一项人体研究中，我们表明，增加脉冲的消耗可以改善外周动脉疾病患者的血流量和动脉弹性，这是心脏病风险增加的另一个标志。这些数据不仅表明高水平的豆类饮食可以有效地控制心脏病，而且还可以作为一种治疗疾病的方法。我们的目的是识别和表征脉冲作物中已被证明可以降低动脉僵硬的分子。然后，该分子将可用于合并到新的强化或强化功能食品中，或以其纯化形式作为营养保健品使用。这项研究项目的成功完成将导致人类消费产品的开发，这将提高脉冲作物的商业价值，因为市场对潜在的治疗应用有浓厚的兴趣。

Changes in the physical properties of our blood vessels (specifically onset of stiffness or hardening of the arteries) occur early (i.e. presymptomatic), but are difficult to detect. Furthermore, equipment capable of diagnosing an increase in arterial stiffness is not available for the standard clinic. Recent studies have suggested arterial stiffness occurs early and indicates a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Nevertheless, this early marker of heart disease may be amenable to lifestyle changes. The role of diet may be especially relevant, since various compounds derived from plants have been linked to improvements in arterial stiffness. Consequently, higher consumption of these compounds may slow or prevent these diseases. Pulse crops (peas, beans, lentils, chickpeas) and legumes (including soybeans) are well known for their high fibre content and low glycemic load. It is now becoming recognized, however, that pulse crops also contain substantial quantities of phytochemicals that provide additional benefit. It is recognized that these phytochemicals can improve blood flow and arterial stiffness, but no studies have directly examined these compounds in pulses. However, in a recently completed human study, we showed that increased consumption of pulses leads to improved blood flow and arterial elasticity in persons with peripheral arterial disease, another marker of increased heart disease risk. Not only do these data suggest a diet with higher levels of pulses can effectively control heart disease, but that this diet can be used as a way to treat the disease. Our intent is to identify and characterize the molecule in pulse crops that has been shown to decrease arterial stiffness. This molecule will then be available for incorporation into novel enriched or fortified functional food products, or utilized in its purified form as a nutraceutical. Successful completion of this research project will lead to the development of products for human consumption that will enhance the commercial value of pulse crops due to strong market interest in the underlying therapeutic applications.