Endothelin-1 synthesis reduced by red wine

Alcohol consumption may be a risk factor for cerebrovascular stenosis in acute ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack

BACKGROUND

Atherosclerosis are well established risk factors for ischemic stroke, however the association between alcohol consumption and atherosclerosis is controversial. This study aims to explore the potential correlation between alcohol consumption and cerebral stenosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA).

METHODS

Nine hundreds and eighty-eight patients with first acute ischemic stroke attack or TIA were recruited retrospectively. Alcohol consumption was classified into five consumption categories (non-drinkers, occasional drinkers, < 140 g per week [mild drinkers], 140-279 g per week [moderate drinkers], ≥ 280 g per week [heavy drinkers]). Computed tomography angiography (CTA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were utilized to assess the carotid and cerebral artery in all patients. Five-step scale for degree of stenosis was applied: normal (0, 0 points), mild (< 50%, 1 point), moderate (50-69%, 2 points), severe (70-99%, 3 points), and occlusion (100%, 4 points).

RESULTS

The carotid and cerebral artery stenosis scores were positively correlated with moderate alcohol consumption (B = 1.695, P < 0.001). Compared with nondrinkers, moderate alcohol consumption had significant increasing risk of moderate carotid and cerebral artery stenosis (OR = 4.28, 95% CI: 1.47-12.49, P = 0.008) and severe stenosis (OR = 4.24, 95% CI: 1.55-11.64, P = 0.005) and occlusion (OR = 3.87, 95% CI: 1.65-9.06, P = 0.002). Compared with nondrinkers, heavy alcohol consumption patients had significant higher risk of carotid and cerebral artery occlusion (OR = 2.71, 95% CI: 1.36-5.41, P = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher alcohol consumption may associate with higher risk and more severity of carotid and cerebrovascular stenosis.

Resveratrol and vascular health: evidence from clinical studies and mechanisms of actions related to its metabolites produced by gut microbiota

Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of mortality worldwide, with dietary factors being the main risk contributors. Diets rich in bioactive compounds, such as (poly)phenols, have been shown to potentially exert positive effects on vascular health. Among them, resveratrol has gained particular attention due to its potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. Nevertheless, the results in humans are conflicting possibly due to interindividual different responses. The gut microbiota, a complex microbial community that inhabits the gastrointestinal tract, has been called out as potentially responsible for modulating the biological activities of phenolic metabolites in humans. The present review aims to summarize the main findings from clinical trials on the effects of resveratrol interventions on endothelial and vascular outcomes and review potential mechanisms interesting the role of gut microbiota on the metabolism of this molecule and its cardioprotective metabolites. The findings from randomized controlled trials show contrasting results on the effects of resveratrol supplementation and vascular biomarkers without dose-dependent effect. In particular, studies in which resveratrol was integrated using food sources, i.e., red wine, reported significant effects although the resveratrol content was, on average, much lower compared to tablet supplementation, while other studies with often extreme resveratrol supplementation resulted in null findings. The results from experimental studies suggest that resveratrol exerts cardioprotective effects through the modulation of various antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypertensive pathways, and microbiota composition. Recent studies on resveratrol-derived metabolites, such as piceatannol, have demonstrated its effects on biomarkers of vascular health. Moreover, resveratrol itself has been shown to improve the gut microbiota composition toward an anti-inflammatory profile. Considering the contrasting findings from clinical studies, future research exploring the bidirectional link between resveratrol metabolism and gut microbiota as well as the mediating effect of gut microbiota in resveratrol effect on cardiovascular health is warranted.

Cabernet sauvignon dry red wine ameliorates atherosclerosis in mice by regulating inflammation and endothelial function, activating AMPK phosphorylation, and modulating gut microbiota

Limited evidence suggests that the abundance of antioxidant polyphenols in dry red wine (DRW) may prevent cardiovascular diseases, a benefit likely attributed to abundant antioxidant polyphenols present in DRW. Here, we examined the anti-atherosclerotic effect of Cabernet Sauvignon DRW (CSDRW) in a mouse model of atherosclerosis (AS) using metabolomic profiling and molecular techniques. Oral administration of CSDRW reduced atherosclerotic lesion size in ApoE^-/- mice, alleviated hyperlipidemia, ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation mediated by AMPK activation, and promoted lipid metabolism via PPARγ-LXR-α-ABCA1 pathway regulation. CSDRW increased the relative abundance of beneficial gut microbiota, including Bacteroidetes, Verrucomicrobiota, and Akkermansiaceae. Metabolic analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry revealed that CSDRW contained various polyphenols, including flavanol, phenolic acid, flavonol, and resveratrol, which possibly mediate the beneficial effects in AS by reducing inflammation, restoring normal endothelial function, regulating hepatic lipid metabolism, and modulating gut microbiota composition.

Human colonic catabolism of dietary flavan-3-ol bioactives

Understanding the fate of ingested polyphenols is crucial in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of a fruit and vegetable-based diet. This review focuses on the colon microbiota-mediated transformation of the flavan-3-ols and the structurally related procyanidins found in dietary plant foods and beverages, plus the flavan-3-ol-derived theaflavins of black tea, and the post-absorption phase II metabolism of the gut microbiota catabolites. Despite significant advances in the last decade major analytical challenges remain. Strategies to address them are presented.

Nanoparticles for the treatment of glaucoma-associated neuroinflammation

Recently, a considerable amount of literature has emerged around the theme of neuroinflammation linked to neurodegeneration. Glaucoma is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by visual impairment. Understanding the complex neuroinflammatory processes underlying retinal ganglion cell loss has the potential to improve conventional therapeutic approaches in glaucoma. Due to the presence of multiple barriers that a systemically administered drug has to cross to reach the intraocular space, ocular drug delivery has always been a challenge. Nowadays, studies are focused on improving the current therapies for glaucoma by utilizing nanoparticles as the modes of drug transport across the ocular anatomical and physiological barriers. This review offers some important insights on the therapeutic advancements made in this direction, focusing on the use of nanoparticles loaded with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective agents in the treatment of glaucoma. The prospect of these novel therapies is discussed in relation to the current therapies to alleviate inflammation in glaucoma, which are being reviewed as well, along with the detailed molecular and cellular mechanisms governing the onset and the progression of the disease.

Chemical Diversity of Flavan-3-Ols in Grape Seeds: Modulating Factors and Quality Requirements

Grape seeds are a rich source of flavan-3-ol monomers, oligomers, and polymers. The diverse profile of compounds includes mainly B-type procyanidins (especially C4→C8 linked molecules) and the key monomers, catechin, and epicatechin that are positively implicated in the 'French Paradox'. Today grape seed nutraceuticals have become a multi-million-dollar industry. This has created incentives to elucidate the variations in chemistry across cultivars, to identify signs of adulteration, and to understand the intrinsic and extrinsic factors controlling the expression of metabolites in the seeds' metabolome. This review provides a critical overview of the existing literature on grape seed chemistry. Although the biosynthetic pathways for polymeric procyanidins in seeds have not yet been explained, abiotic factors have been shown to modulate associated genes. Research of extrinsic factors has demonstrated that the control of procyanidin expression is strongly influenced, in order of importance, by genotype (species first, then variety) and environment, as claimed anecdotally. Unfortunately, research outcomes on the effects of abiotic factors have low certainty, because effects can be specific to genotype or variety, and there is limited control over physical metrics in the field. Thus, to gain a fuller understanding of the effects of abiotic factors and biosynthetic pathways, and realise potential for optimisation, a more fundamental research approach is needed. Nevertheless, the current synthesis offers insight into the selection of species or varieties according to the profile of polyphenols, as well as for optimisation of horticultural practices, with a view to produce products that contain the compounds that support health claims.

The Effect of Resveratrol on the Cardiovascular System from Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Results

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death worldwide. The cardioprotective effects of natural polyphenols such as resveratrol (3,5,4-trihydroxystilbene) have been extensively investigated throughout recent decades. Many studies of RES have focused on its favorable effects on pathological conditions related to cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors. The aim of this review was to summarize the wide beneficial effects of resveratrol on the cardiovascular system, including signal transduction pathways of cell longevity, energy metabolism of cardiomyocytes or cardiac remodeling, and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In addition, this paper discusses the significant preclinical and human clinical trials of recent years with resveratrol on cardiovascular system. Finally, we present a short overview of antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties and possible future perspectives on RES against COVID-19 in cardiovascular diseases.

Resveratrol and endothelial function: A literature review

Endothelial dysfunction is a major contributing factor to diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, acute lung injury, preeclampsia, among others. Resveratrol (RSV) is a naturally occurring bioactive polyphenol found in grapes and red wine. According to experimental studies, RSV modulates several events involved in endothelial dysfunction such as impaired vasorelaxation, eNOS uncoupling, leukocyte adhesion, endothelial senescence, and endothelial mesenchymal transition. The endothelial protective effects of RSV are found to be mediated by numerous molecular targets (e.g. Silent Information Regulator 1 (SIRT1), 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), nuclear factor-erythroid-derived 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), Krüppel-like factor-2 (KLF2), and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB)). Herein, we present an updated review addressing pharmacological effects and molecular targets of RSV in maintaining endothelial function, and the potential of this phytochemical for endothelial dysfunction-associated disorders.

The proanthocyanin-related transcription factors MYBC1 and WRKY44 regulate branch points in the kiwifruit anthocyanin pathway

The groups of plant flavonoid metabolites termed anthocyanins and proanthocyanins (PA) are responsible for pigmentation in seeds, flowers and fruits. Anthocyanins and PAs are produced by a pathway of enzymes which are transcriptionally regulated by transcription factors (TFs) that form the MYB-bHLH-WD40 (MBW) complex. In this study, transcriptomic analysis of purple-pigmented kiwifruit skin and flesh tissues identified MYBC1, from subgroup 5 of the R2R3 MYB family, and WRKY44 (highly similar to Arabidopsis TTG2) as candidate activators of the anthocyanin pathway. Transient over-expression of MYBC1 and WRKY44 induced anthocyanin accumulation in tobacco leaves. Dual luciferase promoter activation assays revealed that both MYBC1 and WRKY44 were able to strongly activate the promoters of the kiwifruit F3'H and F3'5'H genes. These enzymes are branch points of the pathway which specifies the type of anthocyanin accumulated. Stable over-expression of MYBC1 and WRKY44 in kiwifruit calli activated the expression of F3'5'H and PA-related biosynthetic genes as well as increasing levels of PAs. These results suggest that while previously characterised anthocyanin activator MYBs regulate the overall anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway, the PA-related TFs, MYBC1 and WRKY44, more specifically regulate key branch points. This adds a layer of regulatory control that potentially balances anthocyanin and PA levels.

Protective Effects of Polyphenols Present in Mediterranean Diet on Endothelial Dysfunction

Endothelial dysfunction tends to be the initial indicator in proinflammatory state and macro- and microvascular complications, such as atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. It has been shown that certain compounds in diet can generate beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease due to its interactions with endothelial cells. Thus, this review is aimed at investigating whether certain polyphenols present in the Mediterranean diet, specifically catechin, quercetin, resveratrol, and urolithin, could exert positive effects on endothelial dysfunction. After analysis of numerous papers, we found that polyphenols aiding endothelial function is beneficial not only for patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or endothelial dysfunction but for all people as it can improve the effects of aging on the endothelia. The additional benefit of these polyphenols on weight loss further improves health and lowers the risk of several diseases, including those caused by endothelial dysfunction. However, it is important to note that the dosages in the majorities of the studies mentioned in this review were of supplemental rather than nutritionally relevant quantities, and therefore, the recommended dosages are difficult to determine.

Effects of Acute Dietary Polyphenols and Post-Meal Physical Activity on Postprandial Metabolism in Adults with Features of the Metabolic Syndrome

Approximately 22% of U.S. adults and 25% of adults globally have metabolic syndrome (MetS). Key features, such as dysglycemia and dyslipidemia, predict type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature disability, and death. Acute supplementation of dietary polyphenols and post-meal physical activity hold promise in improving postprandial dysmetabolism. To our knowledge, no published review has described the effects of either intervention on postprandial glucose, insulin, lipids, and markers of oxidative damage and inflammation in adults with features of MetS. Thus, we conducted this review of controlled clinical trials that provided dietary polyphenols from oils, fruits, teas, and legumes during a dietary challenge, or implemented walking, cycling, and stair climbing and descending after a dietary challenge. Clinical trials were identified using ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, and Google Scholar and were published between 2000 and 2019. Dietary polyphenols from extra virgin olive oil, grapes, blackcurrants, strawberries, black tea, and black beans improved postprandial glucose, insulin, and markers of oxidative damage and inflammation, but results were not consistent among clinical trials. Freeze-dried strawberry powder distinctly improved postprandial insulin and markers of oxidative damage and inflammation. Post-meal physical activity attenuated postprandial glucose, but effects on postprandial lipids and markers of oxidative damage and inflammation were inconclusive. Consuming dietary polyphenols with a meal and completing physical activity after a meal may mitigate postprandial dysmetabolism in adults with features of MetS.

Application of nanotechnology based-biosensors in analysis of wine compounds and control of wine quality and safety: A critical review

Nanotechnology is one of the most promising future technologies for the food industry. Some of its applications have already been introduced in analytical techniques and food packaging technologies. This review summarizes existing knowledge about the implementation of nanotechnology in wine laboratory procedures. The focus is mainly on recent advancements in the design and development of nanomaterial-based sensors for wine compounds analysis and assessing wine safety. Nanotechnological approaches could be useful in the wine production process, to simplify wine analysis methods, and to improve the quality and safety of the final product.

Resveratrol and Vascular Function

Resveratrol increases the production of nitric oxide (NO) in endothelial cells by upregulating the expression of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), stimulating eNOS enzymatic activity, and preventing eNOS uncoupling. At the same time, resveratrol inhibits the synthesis of endothelin-1 and reduces oxidative stress in both endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. Pathological stimuli-induced smooth muscle cell proliferation, vascular remodeling, and arterial stiffness can be ameliorated by resveratrol as well. In addition, resveratrol also modulates immune cell function, inhibition of immune cell infiltration into the vascular wall, and improves the function of perivascular adipose tissue. All these mechanisms contribute to the protective effects of resveratrol on vascular function and blood pressure in vivo. Sirtuin 1, AMP-activated protein kinase, and estrogen receptors represent the major molecules mediating the vascular effects of resveratrol.

Effect of Ethanol on Micro-Vessels Diameter and Prevention of Thrombosis

BACKGROUND

Microvascular surgery is one of the most important parts of reconstructive surgery. In the present study, the effect of ethanol on microvascular diameter and prevention of thrombosis was evaluated.

METHODS

Totally, 80 vessels including 40 arteries and 40 veins in right and left ears of 20 adult rabbits were enrolled. Seven days after injection of ethanol to rabbit ear vessel, vessel diameter and thrombosis rate post-iced saline challenge were documented and compared to normal saline injection in contralateral ear as a control group.

RESULTS

Vessel diameter in both arteries and veins in ethanol group was significantly larger than normal saline control group, and patency rates due to preventive effect of ethanol were also significantly higher in the ethanol group after iced saline challenge.

CONCLUSION

Pretreatment with ethanol can enlarge vessel diameter and play a preventive role on thrombosis after iced saline challenge.

A role for plant science in underpinning the objective of global nutritional security?

Background

The challenges of achieving global food security have become more demanding as scientists have realized that not only calorie content but also food composition and colonic microbial content impact our health and well-being, dramatically. The ways that the nutrients we consume affect our health are highly complex due to the diversity of what we eat, the varying digestibility of what we eat, the changing composition and functioning of each individual's gut microbiota, the differences in absorption and bioavailability of the nutrients we eat, the differences in responses between individuals to what they eat and the multi-fold mechanisms of action that nutrients have on our health.

Perspective and Conclusions

It has been accepted for more than 50 years that diets rich in plants, particularly fruit and vegetables, protect health, and yet such diets have declined, with lower fruit and vegetable content and much more cheap, sugary, oily, processed foods, over the same period. These dietary shifts have had a marked impact on the incidence of chronic diseases: obesity, metabolic diseases, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Greater support for research into the ways that plant-based foods impact health will be essential for changing dietary patterns to protect health and to achieve global nutritional security.

French and Mediterranean-style diets: Contradictions, misconceptions and scientific facts-A review

The determination of appropriate dietary strategies for the prevention of chronic degenerative diseases, cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases remains a challenging and highly relevant issue worldwide. Epidemiological dietary interventions have been studied for decades with contrasting impacts on human health. Moreover, research scientists and physicians have long debated diets encouraging alcohol intake, such as the Mediterranean and French-style diets, with regard to their impact on human health. Understanding the effects of these diets may help to improve in the treatment and prevention of diseases. However, further studies are warranted to determine which individual food components, or combinations thereof, have a beneficial impact on different diseases, since a large number of different compounds may occur in a single food, and their fate in vivo is difficult to measure. Most explanations for the positive effects of Mediterranean-style diet, and of the French paradox, have focused largely on the beneficial properties of antioxidants, among other compounds/metabolites, in foods and red wine. Wine is a traditional alcoholic beverage that has been associated with both healthy and harmful effects. Not withstanding some doubts, there is reasonable unanimity among researchers as to the beneficial effects of moderate wine consumption on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and longevity, which have been ascribed to polyphenolic compounds present in wine. Despite this, conflicting findings regarding the impact of alcohol consumption on human health, and contradictory findings concerning the effects of non-alcoholic wine components such as resveratrol, have led to confusion among consumers. In addition to these contradictions and misconceptions, there is a paucity of human research studies confirming known positive effects of polyphenols in vivo. Furthermore, studies balancing both known and unknown prognostic factors have mostly been conducted in vitro or using animal models. Moreover, current studies have shifted focus from red wine to dairy products, such as cheese, to explain the French paradox. The aim of this review is to highlight the contradictions, misconceptions, and scientific facts about wines and diets, giving special focus to the Mediterranean and French diets in disease prevention and human health improvement. To answer the multiplicity of questions regarding the effects of diet and specific diet components on health, and to relieve consumer uncertainty and promote health, comprehensive cross-demographic studies using the latest technologies, which include foodomics and integrated omics approaches, are warranted.

Pomegranate Juice Supplementation Alters Utero-Placental Vascular Function and Fetal Growth in the eNOS-/- Mouse Model of Fetal Growth Restriction

The eNOS^−/− mouse provides a well-characterized model of fetal growth restriction (FGR) with altered uterine and umbilical artery function and reduced utero- and feto-placental blood flow. Pomegranate juice (PJ), which is rich in antioxidants and bioactive polyphenols, has been posited as a beneficial dietary supplement to promote cardiovascular health. We hypothesized that maternal supplementation with PJ will improve uterine and umbilical artery function and thereby enhance fetal growth in the eNOS^−/− mouse model of FGR. Wild type (WT, C57Bl/6J) and eNOS^−/− mice were supplemented from E12.5-18.5 with either PJ in their drinking water or water alone. At E18.5 uterine (UtA) and umbilical (UmbA) arteries were isolated for study of vascular function, fetuses and placentas were weighed and fetal biometric measurements taken. PJ supplementation significantly increased UtA basal tone (both genotypes) and enhanced phenylephrine-induced contraction in eNOS^−/− but not WT mice. Conversely PJ significantly reduced UtA relaxation in response to both acetylcholine (Ach) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), endothelium dependent and independent vasodilators respectively from WT but not eNOS^−/− mice. UmbA sensitivity to U46619-mediated contraction was increased by PJ supplementation in WT mice; PJ enhanced contraction and relaxation of UmbA to Ach and SNP respectively in both genotypes. Contrary to our hypothesis, the changes in artery function induced by PJ were not associated with an increase in fetal weight. However, PJ supplementation reduced litter size and fetal abdominal and head circumference in both genotypes. Collectively the data do not support maternal PJ supplementation as a safe or effective treatment for FGR.

The Functional Properties of Preserved Eggs: From Anti-cancer and Anti-inflammatory Aspects

Preserved egg, a kind of alkaline-fermented food, is a traditional egg product in China. Here, we investigated the nutritional functions of preserved eggs by in vivo and in vitro experiments. The results of in vivo studies showed that the levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TCHO) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C/HDL-C) were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in the liver of rats treated with preserved eggs. Meanwhile, the levels of two important cancer markers, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), were also significantly decreased (p<0.05) in treated rats. In vitro studies were performed on Caco-2 cells, a human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line. It demonstrated that the gastrointestinal (GI) digests of preserved eggs significantly accelerated (p<0.05) the apoptosis by upregulating caspase-3 in the Caco-2 cells. Besides, after treated with preserved eggs, the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of preserved eggs digests to Caco-2 cells was 5.75 mg/mL, indicating the significant inhibition of cell proliferation provided by preserved eggs (p<0.05). The results shown in this study demonstrated that preserved eggs may be a novel functional food involved with antilipemic, anti-inflammatory activity as well as the effect on accelarating the apoptosis of Caco-2 cells.

Effects of grape consumption on biomarkers of inflammation, endothelial function, and PBMC gene expression in obese subjects

This study investigated effects of grape consumption on biomarkers of cardiovascular health in obese participants in both postprandial and chronic settings. Twenty obese adults participated in this randomized, placebo controlled, double-blinded crossover trial. Participants were randomized to consume 60 g freeze-dried polyphenol-rich whole grape powder (GP) or placebo (PBO) followed by high fat high carbohydrate (HFHC) meal challenge. Following acute challenge, participants consumed their respective treatment daily for 4 weeks to determine effects of chronic consumption. Consumption of GP with HFHC meal significantly increased nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) at 3 h (p < 0.05) and decreased plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) concentration at 5 h (p < 0.05) after meal challenge compared with PBO. Following 4 weeks of daily GP consumption, soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (sVCAM-1) plasma concentration increased compared with PBO (p < 0.05), however baseline values differed between treatments. In conclusion, GP consumption resulted in decreased vasoconstrictor ET-1 concentration and increased gene expression related to oxidative stress defense following HFHC meal. Except for increase in sVCAM-1 concentration, 4 weeks of chronic GP consumption had little effect on cardiovascular biomarkers measured in this study. This trial was registered: clinicaltrials.gov NCT01674231.

Medicine is not health care, food is health care: plant metabolic engineering, diet and human health

Contents 699 I. 699 II. 700 III. 700 IV. 706 V. 707 VI. 714 714 References 714 SUMMARY: Plants make substantial contributions to our health through our diets, providing macronutrients for energy and growth as well as essential vitamins and phytonutrients that protect us from chronic diseases. Imbalances in our food can lead to deficiency diseases or obesity and associated metabolic disorders, increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Nutritional security is now a global challenge which can be addressed, at least in part, through plant metabolic engineering for nutritional improvement of foods that are accessible to and eaten by many. We review the progress that has been made in nutritional enhancement of foods, both improvements through breeding and through biotechnology and the engineering principles on which increased phytonutrient levels are based. We also consider the evidence, where available, that such foods do enhance health and protect against chronic diseases.

Grape and wine polymeric polyphenols: Their importance in enology

Phenolic compounds are important constituents of red wine, contributing to its sensory properties and antioxidant activity. Owing to the diversity and structural complexity, study of these compounds was mainly limited, during the last three decades, on their low-molecular-mass compounds or simple phenolic compounds. Only in recent years, much attention has been paid to highly polymerized polyphenols in grape and red wines. The reason for this is largely due to the development of analytical techniques, especially those of HPLC-ESI-MS, permitting the structural characterization of highly polymerized polyphenols. Furthermore, the knowledge on the biological properties of polymeric polyphenols of red wine is very limited. Grape polyphenols mainly consist of proanthocyanidins (oligomers and polymers) and anthocyanins, and low amount of other phenolics. Red wine polyphenols include both grape polyphenols and new phenolic products formed from them during winemaking process. This leads to a great diversity of new polyphenols and makes wine polyphenol composition more complex. The present paper summarizes the advances in the research of polymeric polyphenols in grape and red wine and their important role in Enology. Scientific results indicate that polymeric polyphenols, as the major polyphenols in grape and red wine, play a major role in red wine sensory properties, color stability and antioxidant activities.

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy : The result of dosage and individual predisposition

The individual amount of alcohol consumed acutely or chronically decides on harm or benefit to a person’s health. Available data suggest that one to two drinks in men and one drink in women will benefit the cardiovascular system over time, one drink being 17.6 ml 100 % alcohol. Moderate drinking can reduce the incidence and mortality of coronary artery disease, heart failure, diabetes, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. More than this amount can lead to alcoholic cardiomyopathy, which is defined as alcohol toxicity to the heart muscle itself by ethanol and its metabolites. Historical examples of interest are the Munich beer heart and the Tübingen wine heart. Associated with chronic alcohol abuse but having different etiologies are beriberi heart disease (vitamin B1 deficiency) and cardiac cirrhosis as hyperdynamic cardiomyopathies, arsenic poising in the Manchester beer epidemic, and cobalt intoxication in Quebec beer drinker’s disease. Chronic heavy alcohol abuse will also increase blood pressure and cause a downregulation of the immune system that could lead to increased susceptibility to infections, which in turn could add to the development of heart failure. Myocardial tissue analysis resembles idiopathic cardiomyopathy or chronic myocarditis. In the diagnostic work-up of alcoholic cardiomyopathy, the confirmation of alcohol abuse by carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) and increased liver enzymes, and the involvement of the heart by markers of heart failure (e.g., NT-proBNP) and of necrosis (e.g., troponins or CKMb) is mandatory. Treatment of alcoholic cardiomyopathy consists of alcohol abstinence and heart failure medication.

Effect of alcohol on endothelial function in healthy subjects

While studies have shown that red wine improves endothelial function, the effect of pure alcohol, the common denominator of all alcoholic beverages, on endothelial function has not been defined. The effect of oral intake of alcohol (one ounce - a dose corresponding to two drink equivalents) on flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery was studied in 12 healthy subjects using high-resolution ultrasonography according to a randomized, sham procedure-controlled, single-blind protocol. Alcohol produced a significant vasodilatation of the brachial artery at resting conditions. Furthermore, it led to a significant increase of the brachial artery diameter at reactive hyperemia; however, the percentage flow-mediated dilatation did not change. This study shows, for the first time, that acute moderate intake of alcohol has a potent dilating effect on large arteries both at resting and at reactive hyperemic conditions, without affecting flow-mediated dilatation as a percentage. This may be useful for explaining the divergent effect of different alcoholic beverages on endothelial function and provides valuable insight into the mechanisms involved in the vascular effects of alcohol.

[Wine consumption and prevention of coronary artery disease]

There is a J-shaped correlation between the amount of alcohol consumed per day and overall mortality risk and an inverse correlation between the amount of alcohol consumed per day and cardiovascular mortality. The evidence is stronger for men than for women. The correlations are independent of the type of alcoholic beverage predominantly consumed. Possible mechanisms explaining the cardioprotective, antiatherosclerotic effects of moderate alcohol consumption are inhibition of platelet aggregation, increase in serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) levels and prevention of diabetes mellitus. The two latter mechanisms can also explain a delayed progression of atherosclerosis due to alcohol consumption. The beneficial effects are counteracted by detrimental effects of alcohol on the incidence of cancer diseases, liver cirrhosis, violence and accidents; therefore, alcohol consumption in general cannot be recommended for prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Alcohol, wine and mental health: focus on dementia and stroke

The relative risks of coronary heart disease (CHD) and overall mortality are reduced by moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages, particularly wine, which has major implications for public health. It appears likely that this beneficial effect of alcohol will soon be extended to some mental disorders. Although data on psychosis and mood and anxiety disorders are currently lacking, it appears that the relative risks of developing ischaemic stroke and Alzheimer's or vascular dementia are also lowered by moderate alcohol consumption. Such findings are still tentative because of the inherent methodological problems involved in Population-based epidemiological studies, and it is unclear whether the benefit can be ascribed to alcohol itself or to other constituents specific to wine such as polyphenols. Plausible biological mechanisms have been advanced for the protective effect of alcohol and wine against CHD, many of which will also play roles in their protective actions against cerebrovascular disease and dementia. The specific antioxidant properties of wine polyphenols may be particularly important in preventing Alzheimer's disease. Because of the substantially unpredictable risk of progression to problem drinking and alcohol abuse, the most sensible advice to the general public is that heavy drinkers should drink less or not at all, that abstainers should not be indiscriminately encouraged to begin drinking for health reasons, and that light to moderate drinkers need not change their drinking habits for health reasons, except in exceptional circumstances.

Quantification of the acute effect of a low dose of red wine by nonlinear measures of RR and QT interval series in healthy subjects

The measures of nonlinear properties of RR interval and QT interval time series are sensitive to physiologically- or pathologically-induced complexity/regularity changes, but were not used to estimate the effect of alcohol intake. We wanted to examine the potential of these measures to quantify the acute effect of a low dose of red wine in healthy subjects. In separate experiments, fourteen young volunteers drank 200ml of red wine and a control drink with equal concentration of ethanol. ECG in supine position was recorded 20min before and 60min after drink intake. RR interval and QT interval series were extracted from ECG and we calculated variability, scaling exponents (α1 and α2) and sample entropy (SampEn) for both series. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures (BP) were measured every 10min. The immediate effect of both the drinks was equal: HR, BP and QT variability exhibited a sudden increase and then a decrease. However, the prolonged effect of wine and the control drink was different. Wine decreased both BP (p<0.05) and reduced complexity of RR and QT series (increased scaling exponents and decreased SampEn). The control drink prolonged QT and RR intervals (p<0.05). These results point out that the nonlinear properties of RR and QT interval series could be used to differentiate the effect of wine and ethanol. Changes in RR and QT interval series induced by a low dose of red wine are more detectable by methods that quantify the structure of the series than by methods that quantify their variability.

Endothelium and its alterations in cardiovascular diseases: life style intervention

The endothelium, which forms the inner cellular lining of blood vessels and lymphatics, is a highly metabolically active organ that is involved in many physiopathological processes, including the control of vasomotor tone, barrier function, leukocyte adhesion, and trafficking and inflammation. In this review, we summarized and described the following: (i) endothelial cell function in physiological conditions and (ii) endothelial cell activation and dysfunction in the main cardiovascular diseases (such as atherosclerosis, and hypertension) and to diabetes, cigarette smoking, and aging physiological process. Finally, we presented the currently available evidence that supports the beneficial effects of physical activity and various dietary compounds on endothelial functions.

Biological and biomedical functions of Penta-O-galloyl-D-glucose and its derivatives

Penta-O-galloyl-D-glucose (PGG) is a simple hydrolysable tannin in plants. PGG exists in two anomeric forms, α-PGG and β-PGG. While β-PGG can be found in a wide variety of plants, α-PGG is rather rare in nature. Numerous studies with β-PGG revealed a wide variety of biological activities, such as anti-microbial and anti-cancer functions. Until recently, studies with α-PGG were limited by the lack of its availability. Since the development of an efficient chemical synthesis of the compound, several investigations have revealed its anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and anti-platelet-coagulation functions. Based on structure-activity-relationship (SAR) studies with α-PGG, a variety of α-PGG-related novel compounds were synthesized and some of them have been shown to possess promising therapeutic activities. In this review, the authors will survey and evaluate the biological functions of PGG with a focus on α-PGG and its derivatives.

Wine, Food and Health

Wine has historically been associated with religious rights, used as a salubrious beverage, employed as a medication as well as a medicinal solvent, and consumed as a food accompaniment. It is the latter that is most intimately associated in the minds of most modern consumers. Despite this, there is little flavor commonality on which pairing could be based. The first section of the chapter examines this feature, and wine’s primary role as a palate cleanser and food condiment. The synergistic role of food and wine in suppressing each other’s least pleasant attributes is also explained. The final section deals with the latest evidence relating to the many beneficial health effects of moderate wine consumption, shortfalls in the data, headache induction, dental erosion, and conditions under which wine intake is contraindicated.

Depressor action and vasorelaxation of methylene chloride fraction extracted from Rubus coreanum

Introduction

The present study was designed to examine whether methylene chloride (CH₂Cl₂) fraction extracted from Rubus coreanum affects the contractility of the isolated thoracic aortic strips and blood pressure of normotensive rats.

Methods

One of the common carotid arteries or of the femoral arteries was catheterized with a polyethylene tubing. The tubing was connected to a pressure transducer, and pulse of the mean arterial blood pressure was recorded on a biological polygraph continuously.

Results

The CH₂Cl₂ fraction (range, 200 to 800 μg/mL) significantly depressed both phenylephrine (PE, 10 μM)- and high K⁺ (56 mM)-induced contractile responses of the isolated thoracic aortic strips in a concentration-dependent fashion. In the simultaneous presence of N^ω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) (an inhibitor of nitric oxide [NO] synthase, 300 μM) and the CH₂Cl₂ fraction (400 μg/mL), both PE- and high K⁺-induced contractile responses were recovered to the significant level of the corresponding control response in comparison with inhibition of CH₂Cl₂ fraction treatment alone. Moreover, in the simultaneous presence of the CH₂Cl₂ fraction after pretreatment with 0.4% CHAPS (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl) dimethylammonio]-1-propane sulfonate), both PE- and high K⁺-induced contractile responses were recovered to the significant level of the corresponding control response compared to the inhibitory response of CH₂Cl₂ fraction treatment alone. Also, in anesthetized rats, the CH₂Cl₂ fraction (range, 0.3 to 3.0 mg/kg) injected into a femoral vein dose-dependently produced depressor responses. This hypotensive action of the CH₂Cl₂ fraction was greatly inhibited after treatment with phentolamine (1 mg/kg), chlorisondamine (1 mg/kg), L-NAME (3 mg/kg/30 min), or sodium nitroprusside (30 μg/kg/30 min). Intravenous infusion of the CH₂Cl₂ fraction (range, 1.0 to 10.0 mg/kg/30 min) markedly inhibited norepinephrine-induced pressor responses.

Discussion

Taken together, these results demonstrate that the CH₂Cl₂ fraction causes vascular relaxation in the isolated rat thoracic aortic strips as well as hypotensive action in anesthetized rats. These vasorelaxation and hypotension of the CH₂Cl₂ fraction seem to be mediated at least by the increased NO production through the activation of NO synthase of the vascular endothelium and the inhibitory adrenergic modulation.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40885-014-0006-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Red grape berry-cultured cells reduce blood pressure in rats with metabolic-like syndrome

PURPOSE

Cumulative evidence suggests that moderate red wine consumption protects the cardiovascular system. The effect of cultured cells derived from red grape berry (RGC) on blood pressure (BP) has not been investigated. We therefore studied the antihypertensive effects of oral consumption of RGC in experimental rat model of metabolic-like syndrome and assessed its effect on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

METHODS

Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed for 5 weeks with either a high fructose diet (HFD) (n = 10) or HFD supplemented, during the last 2 weeks, with different doses (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg/day) of RGC suspended in their food (n = 30). BP, plasma triglycerides, insulin and adiponectin levels were measured at the beginning and after 3 and 5 weeks of diet. RGC effect on vasodilatation was evaluated by its ability to affect endothelin-1 (ET-1) production and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression in HUVECs.

RESULTS

BP, plasma triglycerides, insulin and adiponectin increased significantly in rats fed with a HFD. The increase in BP, plasma triglycerides and insulin was attenuated by RGC supplementation. Incubation of HUVECs with RGC demonstrated a concentration-dependent inhibition of ET-1 secretion and increase in the level of eNOS, signaling a positive effect of RGC on vasodilatation.

CONCLUSION

In rats with metabolic-like syndrome, RGC decreased BP and improved metabolic parameters. These beneficial effects may be mediated by the cell constituents, highly rich with polyphenols and resveratrol, reside in their natural state.

Human metabolic transformation of quercetin blocks its capacity to decrease endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and endothelin-1 secretion by human endothelial cells

The major dietary flavonol quercetin, which has been shown to improve endothelial function and decrease blood pressure, is extensively metabolized during absorption. This study examined the relative abilities of quercetin and its human metabolites to modulate the expression of eNOS and ET-1, which are involved in regulating endothelial homeostasis. Quercetin aglycone significantly reduced both eNOS protein and gene expression in HUVEC, mirroring the effects of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα. In the presence of TNFα the aglycone caused further reductions in eNOS, whereas the metabolites were without effect in either TNFα-stimulated or unstimulated cells. ET-1 expression was significantly reduced by quercetin in both TNFα-stimulated or unstimulated HUVECs. The metabolites had no effect on ET-1 expression with the exception of quercetin-3'-sulfate, which caused a moderate increase in TNFα-stimulated cells. These results suggest that metabolic transformation of quercetin prevents it from causing a potentially deleterious decrease in eNOS in endothelial cells.

Endothelin 1 in cancer: biological implications and therapeutic opportunities

Activation of autocrine and paracrine signalling by endothelin 1 (ET1) binding to its receptors elicits pleiotropic effects on tumour cells and on the host microenvironment. This activation modulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, chemoresistance and neovascularization, thus providing a strong rationale for targeting ET1 receptors in cancer. In this Review, we discuss the advances in our understanding of the diverse biological roles of ET1 in cancer and describe the latest preclinical and clinical progress that has been made using small-molecule antagonists of ET1 receptors that inhibit ET1-driven signalling.

Botanical compounds: effects on major eye diseases

Botanical compounds have been widely used throughout history as cures for various diseases and ailments. Many of these compounds exhibit strong antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. These are also common damaging mechanisms apparent in several ocular diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, and retinitis pigmentosa. In recent years, there have been many epidemiological and clinical studies that have demonstrated the beneficial effects of plant-derived compounds, such as curcumin, lutein and zeaxanthin, danshen, ginseng, and many more, on these ocular pathologies. Studies in cell cultures and animal models showed promising results for their uses in eye diseases. While there are many apparent significant correlations, further investigation is needed to uncover the mechanistic pathways of these botanical compounds in order to reach widespread pharmaceutical use and provide noninvasive alternatives for prevention and treatments of the major eye diseases.

Moderate alcohol use and health: a consensus document

AIMS

The aim of this consensus paper is to review the available evidence on the association between moderate alcohol use, health and disease and to provide a working document to the scientific and health professional communities.

DATA SYNTHESIS

In healthy adults and in the elderly, spontaneous consumption of alcoholic beverages within 30 g ethanol/d for men and 15 g/d for women is to be considered acceptable and do not deserve intervention by the primary care physician or the health professional in charge. Patients with increased risk for specific diseases, for example, women with familiar history of breast cancer, or subjects with familiar history of early cardiovascular disease, or cardiovascular patients should discuss with their physician their drinking habits. No abstainer should be advised to drink for health reasons. Alcohol use must be discouraged in specific physiological or personal situations or in selected age classes (children and adolescents, pregnant and lactating women and recovering alcoholics). Moreover, the possible interactions between alcohol and acute or chronic drug use must be discussed with the primary care physician.

CONCLUSIONS

The choice to consume alcohol should be based on individual considerations, taking into account the influence on health and diet, the risk of alcoholism and abuse, the effect on behaviour and other factors that may vary with age and lifestyle. Moderation in drinking and development of an associated lifestyle culture should be fostered.

Endothelin-2, the forgotten isoform: emerging role in the cardiovascular system, ovarian development, immunology and cancer

Endothelin-2 [ET-2; also known as vasoactive intestinal contractor (VIC), in rodents] differs from endothelin-1 (ET-1) by only two amino acids, and unlike the third isoform, endothelin-3 (ET-3), it has the same affinity as ET-1 for both ET(A) and ET(B) receptors. It is often assumed that ET-2 would mimic the actions of the more abundant ET-1 and current pharmacological interventions used to inhibit the ET system would also block the actions of ET-2. These assumptions have focused research on ET-1 with ET-2 studied in much less detail. Recent research suggests that our understanding of the ET family requires re-evaluation. Although ET-2 is very similar in structure as well as pharmacology to ET-1, and may co-exist in the same tissue compartments, there is converging evidence for an important and distinct ET-2 pathway. Specifically is has been demonstrated that ET-2 has a key role in ovarian physiology, with ET-2-mediated contraction proposed as a final signal facilitating ovulation. Furthermore, ET-2 may also have a pathophysiological role in heart failure, immunology and cancer. Comparison of ET-2 versus ET-1 mRNA expression suggests this may be accomplished at the level of gene expression but differences may also exist in peptide synthesis by enzymes such as endothelin converting enzymes (ECEs) and chymase, which may allow the two pathways to be distinguished pharmacologically and become separate drug targets. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Endothelin. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2013.168.issue-1.

Antihypertensive role of polyphenols

Hypertension is considered the most important risk factor in the development of cardiovascular disease. Considerable evidence suggests that oxidative stress, which results in an excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays a key role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. This phenomenon leads to endothelial dysfunction, an imbalance between endothelium-derived relaxing factors, such as nitric oxide (NO), and contracting factors, such as angiotensin-II and endothelin (ET)-1, favoring the latter. Vascular remodeling also takes place; both processes lead to hypertension establishment. Antioxidant therapies have been evaluated in order to decrease ROS production or increase their scavenging. In this line, polyphenols, widespread antioxidants in fruits, vegetables, and wine, have demonstrated their beneficial role in prevention and therapy of hypertension, by acting as free radical scavengers, metal chelators, and in enzyme modulation and expression. Polyphenols activate and enhance endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression by several signaling pathways, increase glutathione (GSH), and inhibit ROS-producing enzymes such as NADPH and xanthine oxidases. These pathways lead to improved endothelial function, subsequent normalization of vascular tone, and an overall antihypertensive effect. In practice, diets as Mediterranean and the "French paradox" phenomenon, the light and moderate red wine consumption, supplementation with polyphenols as resveratrol or quercetin, and also experimental and clinical trials applying the mentioned have coincided in the antihypertensive effect of polyphenols, either in prevention or in therapy. However, further trials are yet needed to fully assess the molecular mechanisms of action and the appearance of adverse reactions, if a more extensive recommendation of polyphenol introduction in diet wants to be made.

Antidiabetes and Anti-obesity Activity of Lagerstroemia speciosa

The leaves of Lagerstroemia speciosa (Lythraceae), a Southeast Asian tree more commonly known as banaba, have been traditionally consumed in various forms by Philippinos for treatment of diabetes and kidney related diseases. In the 1990s, the popularity of this herbal medicine began to attract the attention of scientists worldwide. Since then, researchers have conducted numerous in vitro and in vivo studies that consistently confirmed the antidiabetic activity of banaba. Scientists have identified different components of banaba to be responsible for its activity. Using tumor cells as a cell model, corosolic acid was isolated from the methanol extract of banaba and shown to be an active compound. More recently, a different cell model and the focus on the water soluble fraction of the extract led to the discovery of other compounds. The ellagitannin Lagerstroemin was identified as an effective component of the banaba extract responsible for the activity. In a different approach, using 3T3-L1 adipocytes as a cell model and a glucose uptake assay as the functional screening method, Chen et al. showed that the banaba water extract exhibited an insulin-like glucose transport inducing activity. Coupling HPLC fractionation with a glucose uptake assay, gallotannins were identified in the banaba extract as components responsible for the activity, not corosolic acid. Penta-O-galloyl-glucopyranose (PGG) was identified as the most potent gallotannin. A comparison of published data with results obtained for PGG indicates that PGG has a significantly higher glucose transport stimulatory activity than Lagerstroemin. Chen et al. have also shown that PGG exhibits anti-adipogenic properties in addition to stimulating the glucose uptake in adipocytes. The combination of glucose uptake and anti-adipogenesis activity is not found in the current insulin mimetic drugs and may indicate a great therapeutic potential of PGG.

Role of nutraceuticals in human health

Nutraceutical is the hybrid of 'nutrition' and 'pharmaceutical'. Nutraceuticals, in broad, are food or part of food playing a significant role in modifying and maintaining normal physiological function that maintains healthy human beings. The principal reasons for the growth of the nutraceutical market worldwide are the current population and the health trends. The food products used as nutraceuticals can be categorized as dietary fibre, prebiotics, probiotics, polyunsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants and other different types of herbal/ natural foods. These nutraceuticals help in combating some of the major health problems of the century such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, cholesterol etc. In whole, 'nutraceutical' has lead to the new era of medicine and health, in which the food industry has become a research oriented sector.

Alcohol and the heart: to abstain or not to abstain?

Alcohol has been consumed by most societies over the last 7000 years. Abraham Lincoln said "It has long been recognized that the problems with alcohol relate not to the use of a bad thing, but to the abuse of a good thing." Light to moderate alcohol consumption reduces the incidence of coronary heart disease (CHD), ischemic stroke, peripheral arterial disease, CHD mortality, and all-cause mortality, especially in the western populations. However, heavy alcohol consumption is detrimental causing cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmias, hepatic cirrhosis, pancreatitis, and hemorrhagic stroke. In this article, we review the effects of alcohol on CHD, individual cardiovascular risk factors, cardiomyopathy, and cardiac arrhythmias, including the most recent evidence of the effects of alcohol on CHD.