Red Wine and Cardiovascular Health

Abstract

Downloaded from Circulation ResearchSeptember 28, 2012 resveratrol (≈70%), but several other polyphenols and phenolic acids contribute. 23 Also, both red wine and resveratrol enhance eNOS enzymatic activity. Whereas the effect of resveratrol on eNOS phosphorylation (and activation) mainly involves estrogen receptor-mediated activation of extracellular signalregulated kinases 1 and 2, 24 the phosphorylation (and activation) of eNOS by phenolic extracts from red wine also involves the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases/Akt pathway. 25 Resveratrol has a low bioavailability.19 Therefore, many in vivo effects of red wine are likely to be attributable to resveratrol metabolites in concert with several other polyphenolic compounds (and possibly their metabolites). Red Wine and Unresolved QuestionsThe beneficial effects of red wine can be enhanced by a healthy diet. Indeed, a synergistic effect of red wine and green olive oil (both are components of the Mediterranean diet) on flow-mediated vasodilation has been demonstrated. 26 The average moderate wine drinker is more likely to exercise, to be health conscious, and to be of a higher educational and socioeconomic status. Nevertheless, there is growing evidence, corroborated by the current study of Chiva-Blanch et al, 11 that chemical constituents present in red wine confer health benefits beyond alcohol and are independent of potential confounding factors. However, numerous issues need to be resolved to clearly assess the preventive or therapeutic potential of red wine constituents. Specific chemical entities responsible for the beneficial effects have to be identified. In this context, one has to realize that there are probably major differences between different red wines, depending on the grape and the growing area. 21 Pharmacological mechanisms leading to increases in vascular NO and other beneficial effects have to be elucidated, and it has to be clarified whether the decrease in blood pressure is causally related to the increased NO levels or what other mechanisms may be involved.Finally, the question whether white wine offers a similar benefit as red remains unresolved. White wine, which is usually fermented without skin and seeds, is missing many of the polyphenols (eg, resveratrol, catechin, quercetin) mainly found in these parts of the grape. There are a few studies 27 demonstrating superior effects of red versus white wine on certain cardiovascular parameters. However, epidemiological evidence demonstrating a specific benefit of red over white wine is poor, 27 and conclusive studies comparing the 2 are missing. In the long run, a prospective, randomized study would be needed to prove or drop the red-better-than-white hypothesis. Sources of FundingOriginal work from our own laboratory contributing to this edi

The Gastrointestinal Tract: an Initial Organ of Metabolic Hypertension?

“…Dietary curcumin, which has an antioxidant effect, can improve aging-related cerebrovascular dysfunction in rodents [110]. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenol in grapes and red wine, has been shown to have beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism, vascular function, and antioxidative properties [111,112]. A Mediterranean diet rich in resveratrol is associated with a significantly reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases [113].…”

Polyphenols and Polypeptides in Chinese Rice Wine Inhibit Homocysteine-induced Proliferation and Migration of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

“…The cardiovascular protective effects of red wine are widely acknowledged according to the hypothesis of the "Mediterranean diet model" and "French paradox." 1,2 Recent research found that polyphenols such as resveratrol and catechin played the antiatherosclerosis role in red wine. 3 As one of the oldest wines in China, rice wine is brewed from a mixture of aspergillus oryzae, yeast, rice, and water.…”

Cardioprotective effects of moderate red wine consumption: Polyphenols vs. ethanol

“…As regards cardioprotection, experiments using wine, de-alcoholized wine and spirits, in conditions of moderate intake, point to health benefits deriving from polyphenols and, possibly, other bioactive phytochemicals that may counteract the detrimental effects of ethanol. On the other hand, because of the positive effects of low amounts of alcohol on HDL-cholesterol and haemostatic factors, ethanol and polyphenols may also exert additive and/ or synergistic protective effects on cardiovascular system (Hansel et al, 2012;Li and Förstermann, 2012).…”

“…1 and 2), possess different molecular and biochemical targets both in healthy and diseased cells (Iriti and Faoro, 2009). Their main mechanisms of (cardio) protection include high antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities; resveratrol, in particular, has been reported to stimulate endothelial production of nitric oxide, reducing oxidative stress, decreasing vascular inflammation and preventing platelet aggregation (Li and Förstermann, 2012). Furthermore, the diversity of grape and wine chemistry has been recently improved by the discovery of new bioactive molecules in these products, i.e.…”