VCAM1 and endothelial dysfunction: A subgroup of 12 volunteers, with FRS profiles representative of the entire study population (including 7 at low risk, 4 moderate risk and 1 high cardiovascular risk) was used to conduct a pilot study to provide preliminary data about the impact of the maté extract consumption on soluble biomarkers of inflammation (CRP, IL-6) and endothelial dysfunction (ICAM-1, VCAM-1).