Estudios científicos
Red wine consumption and prevention of atherosclerosis: an in vitro model using human peripheral blood mononuclear cells
Abstract:
Evidence has been provided that red wine possesses antiatherogenic activities in virtue of its content in polyphenols (flavonoids and non-flavonoids substances). Here, some red wines (Negroamaro, Primitivo and Lambrusco) were tested for their ability to trigger nitric oxide (NO) production from human healthy peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Negroamaro was the strongest inducer of NO from PBMC and deprivation of polyphenols did not influence its NO generation capacity. This fact supports the involvement of polyphenols in the NO production even in the absence of alcohol, which also per se does not exert any significant activity. These results are also corroborated by the evidence that PBMC inducible-nitric oxide synthase expression occurred by the effect of samples containing polyphenols but this expression was very weak when polyphenols were removed from the whole Negroamaro. In synthesis, flavonoids and resveratrol, major constituents of red wine, once absorbed at intestinal level, enter circulation and trigger monocytes for NO production. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of a direct effect of red wine on monocytes for NO release to occur. On the other hand, also the macrophage contingent from gut-associated lymphoid tissue can contribute to NO generation, besides the aliquot produced by endothelial cells, as previously demonstrated by various authors. Taken together, these results support the concept that moderate intake of red wine can prevent atherosclerosis via production of NO, a potent vasodilator of terminal vessels.
Comentarios divulgativos:
Se han presentado pruebas de que el vino tinto posee actividades antiaterogénicas en virtud de su contenido en polifenoles (flavonoides y sustancias no flavonoides). En este estudio algunos vinos tintos (Negroamaro, Primitivo y Lambrusco) fueron probados por su capacidad para activar el óxido nítrico (NO) a partir de células humanas sanas mononucleares de sangre periférica (PBMC). En síntesis, los flavonoides y el resveratrol, componentes principales del vino tinto, una vez absorbido a nivel intestinal, se ponen en circulación y los monocitos activan la producción de NO. Esta es la primera demostración de un efecto directo de vino tinto en los monocitos para la liberación de NO. Por otra parte, también el contingente de los macrófagos del tejido linfoide asociado al intestino puede contribuir a la generación de NO, además de la alícuota producida por las células endoteliales, como se demostró anteriormente por varios autores. En conjunto, estos resultados apoyan la idea de que la ingesta moderada de vino tinto puede prevenir la aterosclerosis a través de la producción de NO, un potente vasodilatador de los vasos terminales.
