Wine and Health: A Paradigm for Alcohol and Antioxidants

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.

A Narrative Review of Lifestyle Risk Factors and the Role of Oxidative Stress in Age-Related Hearing Loss

Age-related hearing loss affects a significant proportion of adults aged 60 years and above, with a prevalence of 65%. This condition has a negative impact on both physical and mental well-being, and while hearing interventions can help alleviate the effects of hearing loss, they cannot completely restore normal hearing or halt the progression of age-related hearing loss. Oxidative stress and inflammation have been identified as potential contributors to this condition. By addressing modifiable lifestyle risk factors that exacerbate oxidative stress, there may be an opportunity to prevent hearing loss. Therefore, this narrative review provides an overview of the major modifiable lifestyle risk factors associated with age-related hearing loss, that is, exposure to noise and ototoxic chemicals, smoking, diet, physical activity, and the presence of chronic lifestyle diseases, and offers an overview of the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of this condition.

Knowledge of the characteristics and properties of wine before consumers

The understanding of the satisfaction of wine consumers and the reasons why it is consumed presents a challenge, since there is not much research on this subject. For this reason, a consumer satisfaction survey was carried out to observe the relevant and determinant attributes related to the reasons why they drink wine. A total of 300 consumers, between 21 and 88 years old, were interviewed in the city of Cascavel, in the state of Paraná. It was noted that 57.67% of consumers reported as “important” or “very important” the fact that wine contributes to the prevention of heart diseases, a determining attribute when choosing wine, regardless of the side dishes. About 55% of the interviewees considered the fact that the wine is aromatic and fruity as “important” or “very important”. On the attribute indicating that wine is good to forget the problems, only 14.34% of consumers consider it “important” or “very important” at the time of the choice. The item response theory was observed to be an important tool to evaluate the level of satisfaction of wine consumers.

Antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties of wines and winery byproducts in relation to their flavonoid content

Grapes produce organic compounds that may be involved in the defense of the plants against invading phytopathogens. These metabolites include numerous phenolic compounds that are also active against human pathogens. Grapes are used to produce a variety of wines, grape juices, and raisins. Grape pomace, seeds, and skins, the remains of the grapes that are a byproduct of winemaking, also contain numerous bioactive compounds that differ from those found in grapes and wines. This overview surveys and interprets our present knowledge of the activities of wines and winery byproducts and some of their bioactive components against foodborne (Bacillus cereus, Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio vulnificus), medical (Helicobacter pylori, Klebsiella pneumoniae), and oral pathogenic bacteria, viruses (adeno, cytomegalo, hepatitis, noro, rota), fungi (Candida albicans, Botrytis cinerea), parasites (Eimeria tenella, Trichomonas vaginalis), and microbial toxins (ochratoxin A, Shiga toxin) in culture, in vivo, and in/on food (beef, chicken, frankfurters, hot dogs, lettuce, oysters, peppers, pork, sausages, soup, spinach) in relation to composition and sensory properties. Also covered are antimicrobial wine marinades, antioxidative and immunostimulating aspects, and adverse effects associated with wine consumption. The collated information and suggested research needs might facilitate and guide further studies needed to optimize the use of wines and byproducts to help improve microbial food safety and prevent or treat animal and human infections.

Wine Compounds as a Source for HTS Screening Collections. A Feasibility Study

High throughput screening (HTS) is extensively used to identify hit and lead compounds in drug discovery programmes. Designing quality screening libraries is a challenge in terms of water solubility, stability and potential oral bioavailability of the compounds. Wines are widely consumed and wine compounds are inherently water soluble, stable and relatively non-toxic. Furthermore, many wine compounds have been proved health-beneficial. To evaluate the feasibility to use wine compounds 3317 were collected from the literature. Their physiochemical properties were evaluated with main stream molecular descriptors. According to the results ∼25 % of the compounds are lead-like; nearly 80 % lie within drug-like chemical space and finally 90 % conform to known drug space (KDS). The rotatable bonds descriptor was the most effective defining lead-like space. The results suggest that many of the wine compounds are interesting and suitable candidates for screening libraries after suitable filtering.

The Impact of Senile Cataract Maturity on Blood Oxidative Stress Markers and Glutathione-Dependent Antioxidants: Relations with Lens Variables

Oxidative stress is implicated in senile cataract (SC) genesis, although the impact of SC maturity on blood oxidative stress markers is unclear. Total hydroperoxides, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were measured in the blood and lens samples of patients having either immature (n=31) or mature SC (n=50), and in 22 blood samples from noncataract controls. Compared to controls, SC patients had higher plasma MDA and serum GST, and decreased plasma GR and GSH levels. Plasma GPx as well as hydroperoxides differed from control values only in patients with mature SC. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the fall of plasma GR activity (OR 5.14; CI 1.82-14.51;p=0.0020), as well as serum GST activity (OR 3.84; CI 1.36-10.83;p=0.0108) were independently associated with the maturity of SC. Lens hydroperoxides, MDA and GST, showed no correlation with correspondent blood values, in contrast to GPx (r=0.715; p<0.001) and GR (r=0.703; p<0.001). This study showed that the severity of SC is associated with increased systemic oxidative stress, which could be due to the fall of GSH-dependent antioxidant enzymes activities.