Blood Pressure-Lowering Effect of Wine Lees: Dose-Response Study, Effect of Dealcoholization and Possible Mechanisms of Action

Abstract

The antihypertensive effect of wine lees (WL) has been previously evidenced. In this study, the antihypertensive properties of different doses of WL were evaluated in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In addition, the blood pressure (BP)-lowering effect of dried (dealcoholized) WL powder (WLPW) and the mechanisms involved in its functionality were investigated. Furthermore, a possible hypotensive effect of WLPW was discarded in Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats. The administration of WL at different doses caused a dose-dependent decrease in BP of SHR up to 5.0 mL/kg bw, exhibiting the maximum decrease at 6 h post-administration. WLPW caused a greater drop in BP than WL, showing an antihypertensive effect higher and more prolonged than the drug Captopril. Moreover, the BP-lowering effect of WLPW was specific to the hypertensive state since an undesirable hypotensive effect in normotensive WKY rats was ruled out. Finally, WLPW improved oxidative stress and increased the activity of the antioxidant endogen system of SHR. These results suggest that WLPW could be used as functional ingredient for foods or nutraceuticals to ameliorate hypertension. Nevertheless, further clinical studies are needed to evaluate its long-term antihypertensive efficiency.

Research progress of proanthocyanidins and anthocyanidins

“…R. López‐Fernández‐Sobrino et al investigated the antihypertensive properties of Cabernet wine lees (WL) in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and discovered that the BP‐lowering effect was related to the high amount of anthocyanins and flavanols present in these lees, possibly by presenting ACE inhibition potency (López‐Fernández‐Sobrino, Soliz‐Rueda, Margalef, et al, 2021). Dried (dealcoholized) WL powder (WLPW) contains more flavanols and anthocyanin compounds than WL and caused a greater drop in blood pressure than WL (López‐Fernández‐Sobrino, Soliz‐Rueda, Suárez, et al, 2021). They recently investigated the mechanism and discovered that WL phenolic compounds increased eNOS and Sirt1 mRNA levels in the endothelium and may tend to increase nitric oxide levels (NO).…”

Cardioprotective Properties of Phenolic Compounds: A Role for Biological Rhythms

“…[65] Moreover, MDA contributes to endothelial dysfunction producing a reduction on eNOS activity and expression, and therefore reducing NO availability. [68] It has been reported a reduction on MDA levels in spontaneously hypertensive rats administered red wine pomace extract, [52] wine lees liquid fraction, [47] grape skin extract, [51] or GSPE. [50] In addition to reducing ROS and MDA levels, there is evidence that phenolic compounds can increase NO availability by acting directly in NO production pathway.…”

“…Hepatic GSH levels were increased in animals administered resveratrol in comparison to control group. [ 41 , 45 , 46 ] Regarding the effect of phenolic‐rich extracts or foods, they can also exert antioxidant effects by different mechanisms including a decrease of hepatic ROS levels [ 47 ] and aorta Nox4 mRNA expression and an increase of hepatic GSH levels, [ 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ] plasma or kidney SOD activity [ 51 ] and expression of aortic Sod2 [ 52 ] in hypertensive animals respect to control animals. Moreover, it has been observed a restoring of the activity of SOD, CAT, [ 53 , 54 ] GPx, [ 54 , 55 ] glutathione reductase, or glutathione S‐transferase [ 55 ] in other animals models suffering oxidative stress.…”

“…[ 65 ] Moreover, MDA contributes to endothelial dysfunction producing a reduction on eNOS activity and expression, and therefore reducing NO availability. [ 68 ] It has been reported a reduction on MDA levels in spontaneously hypertensive rats administered red wine pomace extract, [ 52 ] wine lees liquid fraction, [ 47 ] grape skin extract, [ 51 ] or GSPE. [ 50 ]…”

“…In this regard, some studies have observed an increase in plasma NO levels after consumption of different phenolic‐rich extracts or foods respect to nontreated group. [ 37 , 47 , 73 ] In this regard, an endothelium‐dependent NO‐mediated vasodilation was observed in pig coronary arterial rings treated with chokeberry and bilberry extracts. [ 74 ] Similar mechanism was observed in a double‐blind study, in which healthy volunteers drank a flavanol‐rich cocoa during 5 days.…”