Cocoa flavanols, Nrf2 activation, and oxidative stress in peripheral artery disease: mechanistic findings in muscle based on outcomes from a randomized trial

Abstract

The current study supports the hypothesis that in people with PAD, cocoa flavanols activate Nrf2, thereby increasing antioxidant protein levels, protecting against skeletal muscle damage, and increasing mitochondrial protein abundance. These results suggest that Nrf2 activation may be an important therapeutic target for improving walking performance in people with PAD.