INRA will be involved in two WPs. In WP 3, we will characterise the effects of flavanols given to two mouse models (tasks 3 and 4) on the myocardium proteome and measure their impact on circulating components of homocysteine/one-carbon metabolism in ESRD patients (task 5). In WP4, we will compare the activities of a selection of flavanol metabolites on endothelial cells grown in vitro. In WP3, we will participate to three tasks, task 3 and 4 to characterise the myocardial proteome and identify key targets associated to the anti-inflammatory activity of flavanols. In task 5 we will characterise the effects of flavanol intake on overall methylation capacity.

Two teams of UNH will be involved in the project («Stress Metabolique et Micronutriments » and « Micronutriments, Metabolisme et Signatures Biologiques »). Both teams have a well-recognised experience on dietary polyphenols and their effects on the prevention of diseases. The UNH is recognised today as a leader in polyphenol research world-wide. Expertise includes the study of polyphenol metabolism, the evaluation of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and the evaluation of their effects on vascular protection as well as the metabolic effects of folate, B vitamins, and homocysteine. The participants of the project have been involved in the last few years in various European research projects (Vitage, Zenith, Polybind, Flavo) as coordinator or partner and have strong links with the food industry (Unilever, Danone, Nestlé, etc.). The UNH also actively participate to the activities of several NoE (Eurreca, EuroFIR, NuGO), both on polyphenols and on the development of nutrigenomics applications. The present participants to the project have organised several conferences or workshops on polyphenols and their effects on health and more particularly the 1st International Conference on Polyphenols and Health (Vichy, 2003). UNH has common biochemistry, cell culture, molecular biology and chromatographic (HPLC, etc) equipments and has free access to the numerous technical facilities including state of the art gas chromatography and mass spectrometry platforms. The UNH is also fully equipped to analyse the transcriptome and has access to various bioinformatics tools such as Metacore and Genomatix.

Christine MORAND, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, Biochemist, Nutritionist. Research activity: Role of dietary polyphenols in vascular protection.

Augustin SCALBERT, BSc Institut National Agronomique, PhD, Team leader, Nutritionist, Chemical Analyst. Research activity Metabolism and health effects of polyphenols; Metabolomics.

Dragan MILENKOVIC, PhD, Research Scientist, Geneticist, Molecular Biologist. Research activity: Disease prevention by polyphenols and identification of their mechanisms of action using transcriptomics.

Patrick BRACHET, PhD, Senior Research Scientist, Biochemist, Nutritionist, Cellular Biologist. Research activity: Impact of homocysteine and related micronutrients on tissue proteome.

André MAZUR, Veterinary Medicine D, PhD, Team leader, Physiologist, Nutritionist. Research activity: Micronutrients and vascular protection.