Cardiovascular effects induced by northeastern Brazilian red wine: Role of nitric oxide and redox sensitive pathways

SGLT2 Inhibitors in Aging-Related Cardiovascular Disease: A Review of Potential Mechanisms

Population aging combined with higher susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases in older adults is increasing the incidence of conditions such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, heart failure, myocardial hypertrophy, myocardial fibrosis, arrhythmia, and hypertension. sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) were originally developed as a novel oral drug for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Unexpectedly, recent studies have shown that, beyond their effect on hyperglycemia, SGLT2i also have a variety of beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease. Experimental models of cardiovascular disease have shown that SGLT2i ameliorate the process of aging-related cardiovascular disease by inhibiting inflammation, reducing oxidative stress, and reversing endothelial dysfunction. In this review, we discuss the role of SGLT2i in aging-related cardiovascular disease and propose the use of SGLT2i to prevent and treat these conditions in older adults.

Cardiovascular Effects of Chocolate and Wine-Narrative Review

The consumption of food for pleasure is mainly associated with adverse health effects. This review was carried out to verify recent reports on the impact of chocolate and wine consumption on cardiovascular health, with a particular focus on atherosclerosis. On one side, these products have proven adverse effects on the cardiovascular system, but on the other hand, if consumed in optimal amounts, they have cardiovascular benefits. The submitted data suggest that the beneficial doses are 30–50 g and 130/250 mL for chocolate and wine, respectively, for women and men. The accumulated evidence indicates that the active ingredients in the products under consideration in this review are phenolic compounds, characterized by anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiplatelet properties. However, there are also some reports of cardioprotective properties of other compounds such as esters, amines, biogenic amines, amino acids, fatty acids, mineral ingredients, and vitamins. Our narrative review has shown that in meta-analyses of intervention studies, consumption of chocolate and wine was positively associated with the beneficial outcomes associated with the cardiovascular system. In contrast, the assessment with the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) scale did not confirm this phenomenon. In addition, mechanisms of action of bioactive compounds present in chocolate and wine depend on some factors, such as age, sex, body weight, and the presence of additional medical conditions. Patients using cardiovascular drugs simultaneously with both products should be alert to the risk of pharmacologically relevant interactions during their use. Our narrative review leads to the conclusion that there is abundant evidence to prove the beneficial impact of consuming both products on cardiovascular health, however some evidence still remains controversial. Many authors of studies included in this review postulated that well-designed, longitudinal studies should be performed to determine the effects of these products and their components on atherosclerosis and other CVD (Cardiovascular Disease) disease.

Cardioprotective effect of red wine and grape pomace

Several studies have related moderate consumption of red wine with prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). According to epidemiological studies, those regions with high consumption of red wine and a Mediterranean diet show a low prevalence of CVD. Such an effect has been attributed to phenolic compounds present in red wines. On the other hand, by-products obtained during winemaking are also a significant source of phenolic compounds but have been otherwise overlooked. The cardioprotective effect of red wine and its byproducts is related to their ability to prevent platelet aggregation, modify the lipid profile, and promote vasorelaxation. Phenolic content and profile seem to play an important role in these beneficial effects. Inhibition of platelet aggregation is dose-dependent and more efficient against ADP. The antioxidant capacity of phenolic compounds from red wine and its by-products, is involved in preventing the generation of ROS and the modification of the lipid profile, to prevent LDL oxidation. Phenolic compounds can also, modulate the activity of specific enzymes to promote NO production and vasorelaxation. Specific phenolic compounds like resveratrol are related to promote NO, and quercetin to inhibit platelet aggregation. Nevertheless, concentration that causes those effects is far from that in red wines. Synergic and additive effects of a mix of phenolic compounds could explain the cardioprotective effects of red wine and its byproducts.

Unveiling the Role of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress on Age-Related Cardiovascular Diseases

The global population above 60 years has been growing exponentially in the last decades, which is accompanied by an increase in the prevalence of age-related chronic diseases, highlighting cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and heart failure. Aging is the main risk factor for these diseases. Such susceptibility to disease is explained, at least in part, by the increase of oxidative stress, in which it damages cellular components such as proteins, DNA, and lipids. In addition, the chronic inflammatory process in aging “inflammaging” also contributes to cell damage, creating a stressful environment which drives to the development of CVDs. Taken together, it is possible to identify the molecular connection between oxidative stress and the inflammatory process, especially by the crosstalk between the transcription factors Nrf-2 and NF-κB which are mediated by redox signalling and are involved in aging. Therapies that control this process are key targets in the prevention/combat of age-related CVDs. In this review, we show the basics of inflammation and oxidative stress, including the crosstalk between them, and the implications on age-related CVDs.

Potential health benefits of phenolic compounds in grape processing by-products

Prevention emerges as a powerful approach in minimizing the risk of deleterious lifestyle diseases because therapies do not necessarily guarantee a permanent cure. Accordingly, consumers' growing preference for natural and health-promoting dietary options that are rich in antioxidants has become widespread. Grape (Vitis vinifera) is an antioxidant-rich fruit extensively grown for fresh or processed consumption. The long-term consumption of its polyphenolic antioxidants may promote multiple health benefits. However, grape pomace (GP), consisting of peel, seed, stem, and pulp, is discarded during grape processing, including juice extraction and winemaking, despite its substantial antioxidant content. Polyphenolic extraction techniques have been widely explored to date, but the consolidation of reported physiological impacts of GP-derived polyphenolic constituents is limited. Thus, this review highlights current studies of the potential applications of GP extract in disease prevention and treatment, emphasizing the major influence of polyphenolic compositions and origins of different grape varieties.

Aging: Molecular Pathways and Implications on the Cardiovascular System

The world's population over 60 years is growing rapidly, reaching 22% of the global population in the next decades. Despite the increase in global longevity, individual healthspan needs to follow this growth. Several diseases have their prevalence increased by age, such as cardiovascular diseases, the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Understanding the aging biology mechanisms is fundamental to the pursuit of cardiovascular health. In this way, aging is characterized by a gradual decline in physiological functions, involving the increased number in senescent cells into the body. Several pathways lead to senescence, including oxidative stress and persistent inflammation, as well as energy failure such as mitochondrial dysfunction and deregulated autophagy, being ROS, AMPK, SIRTs, mTOR, IGF-1, and p53 key regulators of the metabolic control, connecting aging to the pathways which drive towards diseases. In addition, senescence can be induced by cellular replication, which resulted from telomere shortening. Taken together, it is possible to draw a common pathway unifying aging to cardiovascular diseases, and the central point of this process, senescence, can be the target for new therapies, which may result in the healthspan matching the lifespan.

Antioxidant and vasorelaxant activities induced by northeastern Brazilian fermented grape skins

Background

In northeastern Brazil, grape pomace has become a potential alternative byproduct because of the recover phenolic compounds from the vinification process. Comparative analyses were performed between lyophilized extract of grape skins from pomace, described as fermented (FGS), and fresh, unfermented (UGS) grape skins to show the relevant brand’s composition upon the first maceration in winemaking.

Methods

The use of in vitro testing such as Folin-Ciocalteu’s, DPPH free radical scavenger and HPLC methods were performed to evidence antioxidant effect and phenolic compounds. Additionally, vascular reactivity studies were performed in third-order branches of rat superior mesenteric arteries, which were obtained and placed in organ baths containing Krebs-Henseleit solution, maintained at 37 °C, gassed with a mixture of 95% O₂ and 5% CO₂, and maintained at pH 7.4. The in situ formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was evaluated in small mesenteric rings using oxidative fluorescent dihydroethidium dye.

Results

We found higher phenolic content and antioxidant activity in FGS when compared to UGS. HPLC analyses identified a significant number of phenolic compounds with antioxidant potential in both samples. The vasorelaxant effect induced by FGS was more potent than that induced by UGS, and the activity was attenuated after removal of vascular endothelium or by blockade of endothelium-derived relaxing factors, such as NO and EDHF.

Conclusions

The FGS extract may be a great source of natural polyphenol products with potent antioxidant effects and endothelium-dependent vasodilatory actions involving NO and EDHF pathways.

Antioxidant and Antihypertensive Effects of a Chemically Defined Fraction of Syrah Red Wine on Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

A particularly phenolic-rich fraction extracted from red wine from the São Francisco valley (Northeastern Brazil) was chemically characterized and its hypotensive and antioxidant effects on spontaneously hypertensive rats were studied both in vitro and in vivo. The liquid-liquid pH dependent fractionation scheme afforded a fraction with high content of bioactive phenolics such as flavonols, flavonol glycosides, phenolic acids and anthocyanins, whose identities were confirmed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis. Pretreatment of spontaneously hypertensive rats with this wine fraction at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg by gavage for 15 days was able to decrease mean arterial pressure and heart rate as well as decrease serum lipid peroxidation. The fraction at concentrations of 0.01–1000 µg/mL induced concentration-dependent relaxation of isolated rat superior mesenteric artery rings pre-contracted with phenylephrine and this effect was not attenuated by endothelium removal. Our results demonstrate it is possible for phenolic constituents of red wine that are orally bioavailable to exert in vivo hypotensive and antioxidant effects on intact endothelial function.