Constituents of red wine other than alcohol improve endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease

Abstract

Background 

Several studies suggest that red wine is beneficial in coronary artery disease (CAD). Although the long-term effect of moderate red wine consumption on endothelial function is currently under investigation, there is little knowledge about its effect on postprandial endothelial function and haemostatic factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the postprandial effects of alcohol content and the antioxidants of red wine on endothelial function and fibrinogen levels in CAD patients.

Methods 

Fifteen males with angiographically documented CAD were recruited for the study. All volunteers ingested 250 ml of either red wine or de-alcoholized red wine on two different days. Blood samples (for analysis of fibrinogen and blood lipids) were collected and flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) was determined before and 30, 60 and 90 min following consumption of each beverage

Results 

FMD was higher following the consumption of de-alcoholized red wine [type of wine effect, P=0.05 repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA)]. Furthermore, the pattern of the response was different between the two beverages, as FMD increased following the ingestion of de-alcoholized red wine, but it decreased after consumption of regular red wine (type of wine by time interaction effect, P=0.006 repeated measures ANOVA). Fibrinogen concentrations were unaltered

Conclusions 

Acute ingestion of red wine without alcohol led to higher FMD than ingestion of regular red wine in CAD patients. The acute effect of red wine on endothelial function may be different than its long-term effect and it could be attributed to its constituents other than alcohol.

In Brief

The aim of the present study was to investigate the postprandial effects of alcohol content and the antioxidants of red wine on endothelial function and fibrinogen levels in CAD patients. Fifteen males with angiographicall y documented CAD ingested 250 ml of either red wine or dealcoholized red wine on two different days. Fibrinogen and flow mediated dilation (FMD)was determined before and 30,60 and 90 minutes following consumption of each beverage. Acute ingestion of red wine without alcohol led to higher FMD than ingestion of regular red wine in CAD patients. Fibrinogen concentrations were unaltered. The acute effect of red wine on endothelial function may be different than its long-term effect and it could be attributed to its constituents other than alcohol.