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CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL OF AFRICA • Volume 30, No 4, July/August 2019
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AFRICA
rich cocoa inhibits endothelial dysfunction,
38,39
and hence the
initiation of atherosclerosis during foetal development.
Conclusion
Regular consumption of cocoa powder during pregnancy
reduced atherogenesis and intima–media thickening in pups of
hypercholesterolaemic rabbits by inhibiting lesion formation and
the deposition of elastic and collagen fibres in the aorta.
We acknowledge the College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana for
providing financial support for this study and technicians from the depart-
ments of Anatomy, Medical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University
of Ghana, for their assistance. We also acknowledge Noguchi Memorial
Institute of Medical Research, Accra for their support.
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