Red Wine Consumption and Cardiovascular Health

The Impact of Social Vulnerability on Alcohol Consumption and Mortality: A 20-year Age, Sex-stratified Analysis from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study of Aging

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to use the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to encapsulate the complex and multidimensional nature of social determinants and their influence on alcohol intake and mortality in middle-aged and older individuals.

DESIGN

Cohort study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

Data were obtained from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging (TLSA), with 3945 study participants aged 50 years and older.

METHODS

The TLSA questionnaire defined SVI (51 items including living conditions, social support, socially oriented activities of daily living, social engagement and leisure, empowerment of life, satisfaction about life, and socioeconomic status) and alcohol intake (behavior as well as type and frequency of alcohol intake). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the association between alcohol intake and mortality, stratified by sex and SVI groups.

RESULTS

Men with high social vulnerability and high alcohol intake exhibit an elevated mortality risk [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), 1.51; 95% CI, 1.01-2.24], whereas notably, women in similar social circumstances but with moderate alcohol intake face a quintupled mortality risk (>35 g/wk; aHR, 5.67; 95% CI, 2.37-13.61). The impact of alcohol and social vulnerability on mortality was more pronounced in men younger than 65. Among them, those with high social vulnerability and moderate (35-140 g/wk; aHR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.50-5.36) to high (>140 g/wk; aHR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.15-4.35) alcohol intake was associated with an increased risk of mortality.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Various factors throughout the life course of both men and women significantly impact the risk of all-cause mortality due to alcohol intake, underscoring the importance of social vulnerability as a determinant of both alcohol intake behavior and mortality risk.

Red wine alleviates atherosclerosis-related inflammatory markers in healthy subjects rather than in high cardiovascular risk subjects: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Moderate red wine (RW) consumption is associated with a low risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, few studies have evaluated the effects of RW and white wine (WW) on inflammatory markers related to atherosclerosis in healthy individuals and high-risk subjects for CVD. This study aimed to assess the effect of RW on inflammatory markers in healthy individuals and high-risk subjects for CVD compared with moderate alcohol consumption.

METHODS

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 (PRISMA) was followed in this study. The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, SinoMed, EbscoHost, and ScienceDirect databases were searched. The risk of bias and quality of the included trials were assessed using the Cochrane Handbook. The main results are summarized in Stata 12.

RESULTS

Twelve studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results demonstrated that RW significantly decreased circulating intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1, and Sialyl-Lewis X expression on the surface of monocytes in healthy subjects, but not in patients with CVD. Additionally, RW significantly decreased Sialyl-Lewis X but increased clusters of differentiation 40 (CD40) expressed on the surface of T lymphocytes and significantly decreased C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) and very late activation antigen 4 (VLA-4) expressed on the surface of monocytes. Interestingly, subgroup analysis also found that RW significantly decreased circulating interleukin-6 (IL-6) in Spain but not in other countries, and significantly increased αMβ2 (Mac-1) in the group that had an intervention duration of less than 3 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate consumption of RW is more effective than WW in alleviating atherosclerosis-related inflammatory markers in healthy people rather than high-risk subjects for CVD, but this needs to be further confirmed by studies with larger sample sizes.

Mediterranean Dietary Pattern for Healthy and Active Aging: A Narrative Review of an Integrative and Sustainable Approach

The global population is on a trajectory of continuous growth, with estimates projecting an increase from 7.7 billion in 2019 to approximately 9.7 billion by 2050. Longevity is also expected to rise rapidly, with advancements in healthcare contributing to increased life expectancies and an increase in the maximum lifespan. The aging process is accompanied by different changes, often leading to a decline in daily life activities and an increased susceptibility to disease. Age-related changes can cause cellular damage and subsequent cellular death. Oxidative stress and inflammation play significant roles in this process contributing to molecular damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. Active aging has been associated with improved quality of life and a reduced risk of morbidity and premature mortality. In this context, the Mediterranean diet has emerged as a promising approach to promoting healthy aging and sustainability. The phytochemical compounds within the Mediterranean diet have been linked to a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. The findings of peer-reviewed articles regarding the use of the Mediterranean diet as a healthy and sustainable dietary pattern written in Portuguese, Spanish or English were included in this narrative literature review. This dietary pattern's emphasis on the consumption of fresh and local food aligns with both health and environmental sustainability goals. This work provides a comprehensive review of the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and its components in a healthy aging process and highlights the importance of this dietary pattern as a sustainable approach.

Improving grape fruit quality through soil conditioner: Insights from RNA-seq analysis of Cabernet Sauvignon roots

The application of fertilizers and soil quality are crucial for grape fruit quality. However, the molecular data linking different fertilizer (or soil conditioner [SC]) treatments with grape fruit quality is still lacking. In this study, we investigated three soil treatments, namely inorganic fertilizer (NPK, 343.5 kg/hm2 urea [N ≥ 46%]; 166.5 kg/hm2 P2O5 [P2O5 ≥ 64%]; 318 kg/hm2 K2O [K2O ≥ 50%]), organic fertilizer (Org, 9 t/hm2 [organic matter content ≥ 35%, N + P2O5 + K2O ≥ 13%]), and SC (SC, 3 t/hm2 [humic acid ≥ 38.5%; C, 56.1%; H, 3.7%; N, 1.5%; O, 38%; S, 0.6%]), on 4-year-old Cabernet Sauvignon grapevines. Compared with the NPK- and Org-treated groups, the SC significantly improved the levels of soluble solids, tannins, anthocyanins, and total phenols in the grape berries, which are important biochemical indicators that affect wine quality. Furthermore, we conducted RNA-seq analysis on the grapevine roots from each of the three treatments and used weighted gene co-expression network analysis to identify five hub genes that were associated with the biochemical indicators of the grape berries. Furthermore, we validated the expression levels of three hub genes (ERF, JP, and SF3B) and five selected genes related to anthocyanin biosynthesis (UFGT1, UFGT2, UFGT3, GST, and AT) by using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Compared to the NPK and Org treatment groups, the SC treatment resulted in a significant increase in the transcription levels of three hub genes as well as VvUFGT1, VvUFGT3, VvGST, and VvAT. These results suggest that the SC can improve grape fruit quality by altering gene transcription patterns in grapevine roots and further influence the biochemical indices of grape fruits, particularly anthocyanin content. This study reveals that the application of SC can serve as an important measure for enhancing vineyard SC and elevating grape quality.

Effect of short-term moderate intake of ice wine on hepatic glycolipid metabolism in C57BL/6J mice

As the correlation between high fructose intake and metabolism-related diseases (e.g., obesity, fatty liver, and type 2 diabetes) has been increasingly reported, the health benefits of consuming ice wine high in fructose have been called into question. In this study, 6-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were divided into control (pure water), fructose (130 g L-1 fructose solution), alcohol (11% alcohol solution), low-dose (50% diluted ice wine) and high-dose ice wine (100% ice wine) groups to investigate the effects and mechanisms of short-term (4 weeks) ice wine intake on hepatic glycolipid metabolism in mice. The results showed that short-term consumption of ice wine suppressed the elevation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol content and did not cause hepatic lipid accumulation compared with those of the fructose group. Meanwhile, ice wine had no significant effect on lipogenesis although it inhibited fatty acid oxidation via the PPARα/CPT-1α pathway. Compared with the control group, ice wine interfered with the elevation of fasting glucose and the insulin resistance index in a dose-dependent manner, and led to an increase in plasma uric acid levels, which may further contribute to the disruption of glucolipid metabolism. Overall, short-term moderate intake of ice wine over a 4-week period may not significantly affect hepatic glycolipid metabolism in C57BL/6J mice for the time being.

Polyglycerol fatty acid ester contributes to the improvement and maintenance of water solubility of amorphous curcumin by suppressing the intermolecular interaction and the diffusion rate of curcumin

Curcumin (CUR), a polyphenol, is an attractive component of functional foods, owing to various physiological activities. However, CUR is highly hydrophobic, insoluble in water, and difficult to absorb in the body. Here, we report an amorphous CUR formulation containing the dispersant polyglycerol fatty acid ester (PGFE), demonstrating high and stable water solubility. Improved water solubility enhanced the absorbability of CUR in our amorphous formulation along with enhanced triglyceride inhibition, compared to that in a commercial formulation. Nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) analysis revealed that PGFE reduced CUR-CUR interaction, resulting in higher dispersion and improved solubility of CUR. Taylor dispersion analysis showed a lower diffusion coefficient of CUR in the highly water-soluble formulation (with PGFE) than that in the low water-soluble formulation (without PGFE), which prevents recontact and recrystallization of CUR, which is trapped by PGFE. Overall, the amorphous CUR with high solubility could be used as a promising functional food.

Should we remove wine from the Mediterranean diet?: a narrative review

Moderate alcohol intake (or, more specifically, red wine) represents one of the postulated beneficial components of the traditional Mediterranean diet. Many well-conducted nonrandomized studies have reported that light-to-moderate alcohol intake is not only associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, but also of all-cause mortality. Nonetheless, alcohol is an addictive substance imposing huge threats for public health. Alcohol consumption is associated with increased risks of cancer, neurological harms, injuries, and other adverse outcomes. Both the Global Burden of Disease (2016) and Mendelian randomization studies recently supported that the healthiest level of alcohol intake should be 0. Therefore, despite findings of conventional observational epidemiologic studies supporting a potential beneficial role of wine in the context of a healthy Mediterranean dietary pattern, a strong controversy remains on this issue. Age, sex, and drinking patterns are likely to be strong effect modifiers. In this context, a new 4-y noninferiority pragmatic trial in Spain (University of Navarra Alumni Trialist Initiative or "UNATI"), publicly funded by the European Research Council, will randomly assign >10,000 current drinkers (males, 50-70 y; females, 55-75 y) to repeatedly receive advice on either abstention or moderation in alcohol consumption. The recruitment will begin in mid-2024. The primary endpoint is a composite of the main clinical outcomes potentially related to alcohol intake including all-cause mortality. Clinical trial registry number: PREDIMED, ISRCTN35739639, www.predimed.es; SUN, clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02669602, https://medpreventiva.es/i2CmeL.

Resveratrol-based biorefinery models for favoring its inclusion along the market value-added chains: A critical review

Resveratrol, a natural organic polyhydroxyphenolic compound, has gained significant attention in the last years given its potential health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be directly extracted from plants, vegetables, and related products and waste resources, but also chemically/enzymatically/microbially synthesized. However, certain process strategies have some limitations, such as high costs, reduced yield or high energy demand, thus implying significant environmental loads. In this context, the search for more sustainable and circular process schemes is key to the integration of resveratrol into the market value chain of the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors. The extraction of resveratrol has traditionally been based on conventional methods such as solvent extraction, but advanced green extraction techniques offer more efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives. This review analyses both conventional and green alternative extraction technologies, as well as its bioproduction through microbial fermentation, in terms of production capacity, yield, purity and sustainability. It also presents alternative biorefinery models based on resveratrol bioproduction using by-products and waste streams as resources, specifically considering wine residues, peanut shells and wood bark as input resources, and also following a circular approach. This critical review provides some insight into the opportunities that resveratrol offers for promoting sustainable development and circularity in the related market value chains, and thus provides some criteria for decision making for biorefinery models in which resveratrol is one of the targeted high value-added products. It also identifies the future challenges to promote the inclusion of resveratrol in value chains, with the scale-up of green technologies and its demonstrated economic feasibility being the most prominent.

Dietary Polyphenols against Oxidative Stress in Head and Neck Cancer: What's New, What's Next

Head and neck cancers (HNC) are a worldwide health problem, accounting for over 5% of all types of cancers. Their varied nature makes it sometimes difficult to find clear explanations for the molecular mechanisms that underline their onset and development. While chemio- and radiotherapy are clearly not to be dismissed, we cannot undervalue the effect that polyphenols - especially dietary polyphenols - can have in helping us to cope with this medical emergency. By influencing several different proteins involved in numerous different metabolic pathways, polyphenols can have a broad spectrum of biological action and can hopefully act synergistically to tackle down head and neck cancer. Moreover, being natural molecules, polyphenols does not present any side effects and can even enhance drugs efficacy, making our clinical therapy against head and neck cancer more and more effective. Certainly, oxidative stress plays an important role, altering several molecular pathways, lowering the body's defenses, and ultimately helping to create a microenvironment conducive to the appearance and development of the tumor. In this regard, the regular and constant intake of foods rich in polyphenols can help counteract the onset of oxidative stress, improving the health of the general population. In this review, we highlight the role of polyphenols in managing oxidative stress, with such positive effects that they can be considered new tools to use in our anti-head and neck cancer strategy.

Insights into the Therapeutic and Pharmacological Properties of Resveratrol as a Nutraceutical Antioxidant Polyphenol in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Resveratrol (3, 5, 4'-trihydroxystilbene) is a polyphenolic derivative with herbal origin. It has attracted considerable attention in recent decades. Many studies have revealed the benefits of Resveratrol over several human disease models, including heart and neurological diseases, nephroprotective, immune regulation, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, age-related diseases, antiviral, and anticancer in experimental and clinical conditions. Recently, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Resveratrol have been observed, and it has been shown that Resveratrol reduces inflammatory biomarkers, such as tissue degradation factor, cyclooxygenase 2, nitric oxide synthase, and interleukins. All of these activities appear to be dependent on its structural properties, such as the number and position of the hydroxyl group, which regulates oxidative stress, cell death, and inflammation. Resveratrol is well tolerated and safe even at higher pharmacological doses and desirably affects cardiovascular, neurological, and diabetic diseases. Consequently, it is plausible that Resveratrol can be regarded as a beneficial nutritional additive and a complementary drug, particularly for therapeutic applications. The present review provides an overview of currently available investigations on preventive and therapeutic characteristics and the main molecular mechanisms of Resveratrol and its potent derivatives in various diseases. Thus, this review would enhance knowledge and information about Resveratrol and encourage researchers worldwide to consider it as a pharmaceutical drug to struggle with future health crises against different human disorders.

A decision tree model of hypertension among college students in Yunnan Province, China

PURPOSE

Previous studies have indicated that the prevalence rate of hypertension in adolescents is high, but it has not received much attention and the influencing factors are unclear, especially in Yunnan Province, China.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A cluster sampling method was used to investigate 4781 freshmen in a college in Kunming, Yunnan Province from November to December. Demographic and lifestyle data were collected using questionnaires, and height, weight and blood pressure were measured. Decision tree model of hypertension in college students was established by Chi-square automatic interactive detection method.

RESULTS

Prevalence of prehypertension of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were detected in 33.9% and 32.1%, respectively. Prevalence of hypertension of SBP and DBP was detected in 1.2% and 7.2%, respectively. The hypertension and prehypertension decision tree of SBP has gender (χ2 = 728.64, p < .001) at the first level and body mass index (BMI) (boys: χ2 = 55.98, p < .001; girls: χ2 = 79.58, p < .001) at the second level. The hypertension and prehypertension decision tree of DBP has gender (χ2 = 381.83, p < .001) at the first level, BMI (boys: χ2 = 40.54, p < .001; girls: χ2 = 48.79, p < .001) at the second level, only children (χ2 = 6.43, p = .04) and red wine consumption (χ2 = 8.17, p = .017) at the third level.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that gender, BMI, only children and red wine consumption were the main factors affecting hypertension in college students in southwest border areas of China.

Recent approaches in the use of antioxidants and proteomic modifications in ram semen preservation

Sperm preservation is a well-established technique in reproductive biotechnology that is widely used to maintain the genetic quality of male individuals. However, there are several factors during the preservation process that can affect the vitality, functionality, and quality of sperm, thereby reducing their fertility potential after thawing. One of these factors is the synthesis of high levels of oxidative stress (OS) during semen preservation, which can have detrimental effects on sperm health and functionality. To counter the negative impact of OS on sperm, researchers have explored the supplementation of several exogenous antioxidants in the extenders used to preserve ram sperm. This approach has shown promising results in improving sperm health, functionality, and fertility potential in ram. Additionally, the preservation process can induce modifications in the ram sperm proteome. By employing targeted proteomics techniques, researchers have been able to identify and modify specific proteins in cryopreserved ram sperm, potentially offering further improvements in the quality of the cryopreserved ram sperm. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the antioxidants and targeted proteomics modifications that have been investigated for enhancing ram sperm preservation. These advancements aim to mitigate the negative effects of OS and optimize the techniques used in preserving ram sperm.

Analysis of the Influence of Socio-Demographic Variables and Some Nutrition and Lifestyle Habits on Beverage Consumption in the Spanish Population

Beverages and drinks play a significant role in maintaining the integral health of individuals. The aim of this study is to discover the pattern of beverage consumption in different groups of the Spanish population and to investigate its relationship with other nutritional variables and habits. To achieve the objectives, an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted. For data collection, a questionnaire was designed and validated that explored different beverage and food consumption variables as well as socio-demographic and lifestyle variables. The instrument was disseminated, among the Spanish young adult population, through snowball sampling using social networks, collecting a sample of 17,541 valid surveys. Bivariate comparative analyses and correlation analyses were performed, and finally, the principal component analysis (PCA) method was used in order to study the relationships between variables related to drinking and health. The main results show significant differences in the pattern of beverage consumption between the socio-demographic variables of sex, age and educational level, as well as between different areas of Spain, while the PCA model shows the relationship between the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages with the Healthy Nutrition Index of the population and sport practice. Based on the results of the study, the following conclusions were reached: the beverage consumption pattern of the Spanish population is affected by socio-demographic variables. Healthier drinking habits affect the nutrition and health of the population.

Resveratrol and beyond: The Effect of Natural Polyphenols on the Cardiovascular System: A Narrative Review

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Unhealthy dietary habits have clearly been shown to contribute to the development of CVDs. Beyond the primary nutrients, a healthy diet is also rich in plant-derived compounds. Natural polyphenols, found in fruits, vegetables, and red wine, have a clear role in improving cardiovascular health. In this review, we strive to summarize the results of the relevant pre-clinical and clinical trials that focused on some of the most important natural polyphenols, such as resveratrol and relevant flavonoids. In addition, we aim to identify their common sources, biosynthesis, and describe their mechanism of action including their regulatory effect on signal transduction pathways. Finally, we provide scientific evidence regarding the cardiovascular benefits of moderate, long-term red wine consumption.

The Pharmacological Properties of Red Grape Polyphenol Resveratrol: Clinical Trials and Obstacles in Drug Development

Resveratrol is a stilbenoid from red grapes that possesses a strong antioxidant activity. Resveratrol has been shown to have anticancer activity, making it a promising drug for the treatment and prevention of numerous cancers. Several in vitro and in vivo investigations have validated resveratrol's anticancer capabilities, demonstrating its ability to block all steps of carcinogenesis (such as initiation, promotion, and progression). Additionally, resveratrol has been found to have auxiliary pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective activity. Despite its pharmacological properties, several obstacles, such as resveratrol's poor solubility and bioavailability, as well as its adverse effects, continue to be key obstacles to drug development. This review critically evaluates the clinical trials to date and aims to develop a framework to develop resveratrol into a clinically viable drug.

Phytoestrogen-Based Hormonal Replacement Therapy Could Benefit Women Suffering Late-Onset Asthma

It has been observed that plasmatic concentrations of estrogens, progesterone, or both correlate with symptoms in asthmatic women. Fluctuations in female sex steroid concentrations during menstrual periods are closely related to asthma symptoms, while menopause induces severe physiological changes that might require hormonal replacement therapy (HRT), that could influence asthma symptoms in these women. Late-onset asthma (LOA) has been categorized as a specific asthmatic phenotype that includes menopausal women and novel research regarding therapeutic alternatives that might provide relief to asthmatic women suffering LOA warrants more thorough and comprehensive analysis. Therefore, the present review proposes phytoestrogens as a promising HRT that might provide these females with relief for both their menopause and asthma symptoms. Besides their well-recognized anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacities, phytoestrogens activate estrogen receptors and promote mild hormone-like responses that benefit postmenopausal women, particularly asthmatics, constituting therefore a very attractive potential therapy largely due to their low toxicity and scarce side effects.

Polyphenol intake and mortality: A nationwide cohort study in the adult population of Spain

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Polyphenols are secondary metabolites present in small quantities in plant-based food and beverages, with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Main groups of polyphenols include flavonoids, phenolic acids, stilbenes, and lignans, but their association with mortality has barely been examined. We aimed to assess the association between the intake of 23 polyphenol subgroups and all-cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality in a representative sample of the Spanish adult population.

METHODS

Population-based cohort study conducted with 12,161 individuals aged 18+ recruited in 2008-2010 and followed-up during a mean of 12.5 years. At baseline, food consumption was obtained with a validated dietary history, and the Phenol-Explorer database was used to estimate polyphenol intake. Associations were examined using Cox regression adjusted for main confounders.

RESULTS

During follow-up, 967 all-cause deaths occurred, 219 were cardiovascular, and 277 cancer. Comparing extreme categories of consumption, hazard ratios (95% CI) of total mortality for subgroups were: dihydroflavonols 0.85 (0.72-1.00; p-trend:0.046); flavonols 0.79 (0.63-0.97; p-trend:0.04); methoxyphenols 0.75 (0.59-0.94; p-trend:0.021); tyrosols 0.80 (0.65-0.98; p-trend:0.044); alkylmethoxyphenols 0.74 (0.59-0.93; p-trend:0.007); hydroxycinnamic acids 0.79 (0.64-0.98; p-trend:0.014); and hydroxyphenilacetic acids 0.82 (0.67-0.99; p-trend:0.064). For cardiovascular mortality, hazard ratios were: methoxyphenols 0.58 (0.38-0.89; p-trend:0.010); alkylmethoxyphenols 0.59 (0.39-0.90; p-trend:0.011); hydroxycinnamic acids 0.63 (0.42-0.94; p-trend:0.020); and hydroxyphenilacetic acids 0.69 (0.48-0.99; p-trend:0.044), when comparing extreme tertiles of consumption. No statistically significant associations were observed for cancer. The main food sources for these polyphenol subgroups were red wine, leafy green vegetables, olive oil, green olives, and coffee (the latter being the major contributor of methoxyphenols, alkylmethoxyphenols, and hydroxycinnamic acids).

CONCLUSIONS

In the Spanish adult population, intake of specific polyphenol subgroups was prospectively associated with a 20% lower all-cause mortality risk. This decrease was mainly due to a 40% lower cardiovascular mortality risk over time.

Red Wine and Sexual Function in Men: An Original Point of View

Red wine is a rich source of nutrients whose biological properties have inspired numerous scientific studies. Indeed, it has been widely reported that there is a correlation between the positive health effects of moderate consumption of red wine and its phenolic content, which, due to its antioxidant activity, has proved to be useful in the improvement of various diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, cognitive disorders, depression, and cancer. It is a common opinion that the antioxidant activity of red wine is to be ascribed to its entire content of polyphenols, which act synergistically and not as a single component. Furthermore, this health-promoting effect of red wine can also be linked to its ethanol content, which has shown a wide array of biological properties. Beyond this evidence, very little is known about a possible correlation between moderate consumption of red wine and male sexual function. This brief review aimed to evaluate the effects of moderate consumption of red wine on erectile function. To accomplish this, Pubmed and Google Scholar databases were searched to retrieve the most relevant studies on this topic. The evidence so far collected has shown that red wine, if consumed in moderation, can be potentially beneficial for patients with erectile dysfunction as well as can positively influence reproductive function through mechanisms that depend on the vasorelaxant properties of red wine and its antioxidant properties.

Mechanisms of and Potential Medications for Oxidative Stress in Ovarian Granulosa Cells: A Review

Granulosa cells are essential for follicle initiation and development, and their abnormal function or apoptosis is a crucial factor leading to follicular atresia. A state of oxidative stress occurs when the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species and the regulation of the antioxidant system is disturbed. Oxidative stress is one of the most important causes of the abnormal function and apoptosis of granulosa cells. Oxidative stress in granulosa cells causes female reproductive system diseases, such as polycystic ovary syndrome and premature ovarian failure. In recent years, studies have confirmed that the mechanism of oxidative stress in granulosa cells is closely linked to the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, FOXO axis, Nrf2 pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, and mitophagy. It has been found that drugs such as sulforaphane, Periplaneta americana peptide, and resveratrol can mitigate the functional damage caused by oxidative stress on granulosa cells. This paper reviews some of the mechanisms involved in oxidative stress in granulosa cells and describes the mechanisms underlying the pharmacological treatment of oxidative stress in granulosa cells.

Health Effects of Red Wine Consumption: A Narrative Review of an Issue That Still Deserves Debate

A strong controversy persists regarding the effect of red wine (RW) consumption and health. Guidelines for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and cancers discourage alcohol consumption in any form, but several studies have demonstrated that low RW intake may have positive effects on CVD risk. This review evaluated randomised controlled trials (RCTs), examining the recent literature on the correlations between acute and chronic RW consumption and health. All RCTs published in English on PubMed from 1 January 2000 to 28 February 2023 were evaluated. Ninety-one RCTs were included in this review, seven of which had a duration of more than six months. We assessed the effect of RW on: (1) antioxidant status, (2) cardiovascular function, (3) coagulation pathway and platelet function, (4) endothelial function and arterial stiffness, (5) hypertension, (6) immune function and inflammation status, (7) lipid profile and homocysteine levels, (8) body composition, type 2 diabetes and glucose metabolism, and (9) gut microbiota and the gastrointestinal tract. RW consumption mostly results in improvements in antioxidant status, thrombosis and inflammation markers, lipid profile, and gut microbiota, with conflicting results on hypertension and cardiac function. Notably, beneficial effects were observed on oxidative stress, inflammation, and nephropathy markers, with a modest decrease in CVD risk in five out of seven studies that evaluated the effect of RW consumption. These studies were conducted mainly in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and had a duration between six months and two years. Additional long-term RCTs are needed to confirm these benefits, and assess the potential risks associated with RW consumption.

Bioactive Compounds of the Mediterranean Diet as Nutritional Support to Fight Neurodegenerative Disease

Neurodegenerative disorders are a widespread cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, characterized by neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and neuronal depletion. They include selective malfunction and progressive loss of neurons, glial cells, and neural networks in the brain and spinal cord. There is an urgent need to develop new and more effective therapeutic strategies to combat these devastating diseases because, today, there is no treatment that can cure degenerative diseases; however, we have many symptomatic treatments. Current nutritional approaches are beginning to reflect a fundamental change in our understanding of health. The Mediterranean diet may have a protective effect on the neurodegenerative process because it is rich in antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Increasing knowledge regarding the impact of diet on regulation at the genetic and molecular levels is changing the way we consider the role of nutrition, resulting in new dietary strategies. Natural products, thanks to their bioactive compounds, have recently undergone extensive exploration and study for their therapeutic potential for a variety of diseases. Targeting simultaneous multiple mechanisms of action and a neuroprotection approach with the diet could prevent cell death and restore function to damaged neurons. For these reasons, this review will be focused on the therapeutic potential of natural products and the associations between the Mediterranean-style diet (MD), neurodegenerative diseases, and markers and mechanisms of neurodegeneration.

Dietary Phenolic Compounds: Their Health Benefits and Association with the Gut Microbiota

Oxidative stress causes various diseases, such as type II diabetes and dyslipidemia, while antioxidants in foods may prevent a number of diseases and delay aging by exerting their effects in vivo. Phenolic compounds are phytochemicals such as flavonoids which consist of flavonols, flavones, flavanonols, flavanones, anthocyanidins, isoflavones, lignans, stilbenoids, curcuminoids, phenolic acids, and tannins. They have phenolic hydroxyl groups in their molecular structures. These compounds are present in most plants, are abundant in nature, and contribute to the bitterness and color of various foods. Dietary phenolic compounds, such as quercetin in onions and sesamin in sesame, exhibit antioxidant activity and help prevent cell aging and diseases. In addition, other kinds of compounds, such as tannins, have larger molecular weights, and many unexplained aspects still exist. The antioxidant activities of phenolic compounds may be beneficial for human health. On the other hand, metabolism by intestinal bacteria changes the structures of these compounds with antioxidant properties, and the resulting metabolites exert their effects in vivo. In recent years, it has become possible to analyze the composition of the intestinal microbiota. The augmentation of the intestinal microbiota by the intake of phenolic compounds has been implicated in disease prevention and symptom recovery. Furthermore, the “brain–gut axis”, which is a communication system between the gut microbiome and brain, is attracting increasing attention, and research has revealed that the gut microbiota and dietary phenolic compounds affect brain homeostasis. In this review, we discuss the usefulness of dietary phenolic compounds with antioxidant activities against some diseases, their biotransformation by the gut microbiota, the augmentation of the intestinal microflora, and their effects on the brain–gut axis.

Liquor consumption is associated with other medical conditions in females who consume alcohol

Background

Our group previously identified that females with AUD and females engaging in heavy or extreme binge drinking were more likely to report cancers and other medical conditions compared to their male counterparts. This analysis aimed to extend our previous findings to examine relationships between sex and consumption of alcohol by type on past year medical condition diagnoses.

Methods

Data from the U.S. National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC-III; n = 36,309) was used to evaluate associations between sex (female vs. male) and alcohol type (liquor, wine, beer, coolers) on past year self-reported doctor-confirmed medical conditions, controlling for frequency of alcohol consumption.

Results

A significant interaction demonstrated that females who consumed liquor were more likely to have other medical conditions (OR=1.95) compared to males who consumed liquor. Females who consumed wine in the past year were less likely to have cardiovascular conditions (OR=0.81) compared to males who consumed wine. Those who consumed liquor had increased odds of pain, respiratory, and other conditions (OR=1.11 - 1.21). Females were 1.5 times more likely to have cancers or pain, respiratory, and other medical conditions compared to males (OR=1.36 - 1.81).

Conclusions

Results identify that consumption of higher alcohol content drinks (i.e., liquor) is associated with past year self-reported doctor- or health-professional confirmed medical conditions in females compared to males consuming the same high alcohol content beverage. Not only should AUD status and risky drinking be considered in the clinical care of individuals with poorer health but also alcohol type, especially higher alcohol content beverages.

Deciphering the interactions between lipids and red wine polyphenols through the gastrointestinal tract

This paper investigates the mutual interactions between lipids and red wine polyphenols at different stages of the gastrointestinal tract by using the simgi® dynamic simulator. Three food models were tested: a Wine model, a Lipid model (olive oil + cholesterol) and a Wine + Lipid model (red wine + olive oil + cholesterol). With regard to wine polyphenols, results showed that co-digestion with lipids slightly affected the phenolic profile after gastrointestinal digestion. In relation to lipid bioaccessibility, the co-digestion with red wine tended to increase the percentage of bioaccessible monoglycerides, although significant differences were not found (p > 0.05). Furthermore, co-digestion with red wine tended to reduce cholesterol bioaccessibility (from 80 to 49 %), which could be related to the decrease in bile salt content observed in the micellar phase. For free fatty acids, almost no changes were observed. At the colonic level, the co-digestion of red wine and lipids conditioned the composition and metabolism of colonic microbiota. For instance, the growth [log (ufc/mL)] of lactic acid bacteria (6.9 ± 0.2) and bifidobacteria (6.8 ± 0.1) populations were significantly higher for the Wine + Lipid food model respect to the control colonic fermentation (5.2 ± 0.1 and 5.3 ± 0.2, respectively). Besides, the production of total SCFAs was greater for the Wine + Lipid food model. Also, the cytotoxicity of the colonic-digested samples towards human colon adenocarcinoma cells (HCT-116 and HT-29) was found to be significantly lower for the Wine and Wine + Lipid models than for the Lipid model and the control (no food addition). Overall, the results obtained using the simgi® model were consistent with those reported in vivo in the literature. In particular, they suggest that red wine may favourably modulate lipid bioaccessibility - a fact that could explain the hypocholesterolemic effects of red wine and red wine polyphenols observed in humans.

Redox Biomarkers Assessment after Oral Administration of Wine Extract and Grape Stem Extract in Rats and Mice

Wine and by-products of the winemaking process, such as grape stems, are rich in bioactive polyphenolic compounds that might be beneficial for animal and human health. In recent years, the administration of dietary polyphenols with strong antioxidant and cytoprotective properties has constituted an emerging line of research interest toward disease prevention. However, in scientific literature, only a limited number of studies have investigated the safety and the toxicological risks of polyphenolic compounds in vivo. Based on the above, the purpose of the present study was two-fold: first, to examine the effects of oral administration of a grape stem extract, derived from the Greek red wine Mavrodaphne, on mice redox biomarkers; and second, to investigate the biological effects of oral administration of a wine extract, derived from the emblematic Greek red wine Xinomavro, on rats. Toward this purpose, body weight, growth rate, hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters, as well as a panel of redox biomarkers, were examined. According to our results, the administration of Mavrodaphne grape stem extract in mice induced alterations in redox homeostasis, preventing mice from the adverse effects of lipid peroxidation. Contrariwise, the administration of Xinomavro wine extract induced both beneficial and harmful outcomes on rat redox status determined by the examined tissue. Collectively, our study reports that the Mavrodaphne grape stem extract, a serious pollutant when disposed in environmental matrices, is an important source of bioactive polyphenolic compounds that could protect from oxidative damage and improve animal and human health. Finally, the Xinomavro wine extract exerts tissue-specific changes in redox balance, which are indicative of the complexity that characterizes the biological systems.

Protective Effect of Red Rice Extract Rich in Proanthocyanidins in a Murine Colitis Model

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has become a global concern. Proanthocyanidin-rich red rice extract (PRRE) has been shown to suppress the inflammatory response in cellular cultures. However, the anti-colitis effect of PRRE has never been investigated in animals. This study aimed to examine the protective effect of the PRRE against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Male mice were orally administrated with PRRE of 50, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day for 21 days. Acute colitis was subsequently induced by administrated 2.5% DSS in drinking water for the final seven days. Sulfasalazine-treated mice were the positive group. All doses of PRRE and sulfasalazine significantly ameliorated DSS-induced severity of colitis, as indicated by decreasing daily activity index and restoring colon shortening. Treatments with PRRE, but not sulfasalazine, significantly reduced the histopathological index and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Furthermore, the PRRE treatments effectively improved mucous in colonic goblet cells using PAS staining, and suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 induced by DSS, while sulfasalazine reduced only IL-1β and IL-6. This study suggested that PRRE had a greater anti-colitis effect than sulfasalazine. Thus, PRRE has a potential anti-colitis effect, and should be developed in a clinical trial as a natural active pharmaceutical ingredient for IBD.

Beneficial Effects of Red Wine Polyphenols on Human Health: Comprehensive Review

Polyphenols are secondary plant metabolites synthesized during the development of the grape berry as a response to stress conditions. They are important constituents in red wines that contribute to the sensory properties and antioxidant activity of wines. Due to the development of highly sophisticated analytical devices, it is now possible to characterize the structure of highly polymerized polyphenols and obtain a full polyphenol profile of red wines. Red wine polyphenols include the ones present in grapes as well as new polyphenol products formed during the winemaking process. Among them, the most important groups and their representatives are flavanols (catechin), stilbenes (trans-resveratrol), flavonols (quercetin) and hydroxybenzoic acids (gallic acid). It is known that polyphenols exhibit beneficial effects on human health, such as anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic and cardio-protective effects. Many studies have been conducted on the health effects of red wine polyphenols in cancer chemopreventive activities, neuroprotective effects and impact on cardiovascular diseases, gut microbiota in humans, etc. This review will provide major scientific findings on the impact of red wine polyphenols on human health as well as a review of polyphenols present in red wines and their main features.

Development of a diphenyl sulfide structure derivatization reagent for amino acid enantiomers analysis: Application of dynamic monitoring in human urine after drinking wine

We developed a novel chiral mass spectrometry derivatization reagent (S)-(3-(4-carboxythiazolidin-3-yl)-3-oxopropyl) diphenylsulfonium (CTOD) with a positively charged sulfur-containing structure for high-sensitivity detection of the chiral resolution of amino acid enantiomers. CTOD reacted with DL-amino acids at 60^oC for 60 min to generate the corresponding diastereomers, fifteen chiral amino acid-derived products were separated. Resolution (Rs) values were of the range 1.54-4.36, except Asn 1.07, achieving good separation. A highly sensitive and selective UHPLC-MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination and chiral separation of five chiral amino acids (Pro, Ala, Glu, Asp, and Phe) based on CTOD derivatization was established and applied to the detection of chiral amino acids in different wines. The diastereomeric resolution of the five amino acids was 1.71-5.42, and an excellent linear relationship was obtained in the range of 0.25-500 pmol (R² ≥0.9993). The detection limit was 0.05-0.25 pmol. The intra- and inter-day precisions were 0.51-5.76% and 0.78-5.18%, respectively, and the average recovery was 90.03-99.99%. In addition, the metabolic concentration of chiral amino acids was monitored after drinking red wine and white wine, and the fitting curve of metabolic concentration was drawn.

The Health effects of wine: The case of longevity in Sardinia

This work explores the relationship between nutrition and health: specifically, it focuses attention on the aspect of longevity. From this point of view, the analysis is deepened through a Case Study Analysis that takes the case of Sardinia (Italy) as a reference. The Island is a privileged observation point since, as amply demonstrated in the literature it is one of the five rural areas geographically identified and referred to as Blu Zone, in which there is a lifestyle and a common environment that “explain” the longevity of the populations that inhabit them. The reasons certainly include nutrition: specifically, we refer to the Mediterranean Diet which, as brought into vogue by Keys, represents a fundamental dietary model for ensuring a correct state of health. UNESCO in 2010 included it among the intangible assets of humanity, as a culture that has its roots in the peasant economy and has a unique dimension in the world. Our goal is to highlight the correspondence between the Blu Zone of Sardinia and the concentration of the production and consumption of wine both Cannonau (red wine), as evidenced mainly by the scientific literature, and Vermentino (white wine) which represents the emblem of the viticultural economy of Sardinia. It is considered of particular importance in this historical moment, to focus attention on the health aspects of wine that can help promote a conscious consumption and to an extent corresponding to adequate dietary models and also favor the enotourist development of areas in which the correlation “wine and health”is clear.

Moderate Wine Consumption and Health: A Narrative Review

Although it is clearly established that the abuse of alcohol is seriously harmful to health, much epidemiological and clinical evidence seem to underline the protective role of moderate quantities of alcohol and in particular of wine on health. This narrative review aims to re-evaluate the relationship between the type and dose of alcoholic drink and reduced or increased risk of various diseases, in the light of the most current scientific evidence. In particular, in vitro studies on the modulation of biochemical pathways and gene expression of wine bioactive components were evaluated. Twenty-four studies were selected after PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar searches for the evaluation of moderate alcohol/wine consumption and health effects: eight studies concerned cardiovascular diseases, three concerned type 2 diabetes, four concerned neurodegenerative diseases, five concerned cancer and four were related to longevity. A brief discussion on viticultural and enological practices potentially affecting the content of bioactive components in wine is included. The analysis clearly indicates that wine differs from other alcoholic beverages and its moderate consumption not only does not increase the risk of chronic degenerative diseases but is also associated with health benefits particularly when included in a Mediterranean diet model. Obviously, every effort must be made to promote behavioral education to prevent abuse, especially among young people.

Postprandial Metabolic and Oxidative Stress Responses to Grape Pomace Extract in Healthy Normal and Overweight/Obese Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Study

Postprandial oxidative stress has been shown to promote atherosclerosis. Grape pomace (GP) is a source of similar-to-wine bioactive micro-constituents with known antioxidant properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate metabolic and oxidative stress responses after the intake of grape pomace (GP) extract along with a high-fat meal, in normal and overweight healthy women. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study, 18 women were finally included, 11 with BMI < 25 kg/m2 and 7 with BMI > 25 kg/m2, and consumed a high-fat meal with placebo or GP extract capsules in two separate visits. Blood samples were collected before and 6 h after the consumption. Measurements included basic biochemical markers, uric acid (UA), protein carbonyls (PC), thiobarbituric acid substance (TBARS) levels, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. At certain time points, the GP extract consumption in normal-weight women reduced UA, TBARS levels, and SOD activity, whereas it increased UA and reduced PC levels in overweight/obese women, compared to the placebo. GP-derived bioactive compounds may exert antioxidant actions during the postprandial state in healthy women, through different mechanisms according to their BMI status.

The Role of Oxidative Stress-Mediated Inflammation in the Development of T2DM-Induced Diabetic Nephropathy: Possible Preventive Action of Tannins and Other Oligomeric Polyphenols

Diabetic nephropathy is manifested in more than 10% of people with diabetes. It is a common cause of kidney failure and end-stage kidney disease. Understanding of mechanisms underlying the initiation and development of diabetes-induced kidney injuries will allow for the development of more effective methods of prevention and treatment of the disease. Diabetic nephropathy is a wide-ranging complication of diabetes, and it is necessary to discuss the "weight" of pro-inflammatory pathways and molecules in the progress of renal injuries during the development of the disease. A large spectrum of pro-inflammatory molecules and pathways participate in different stages of the pathophysiological progression of diabetic nephropathy, including pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, their receptors, adhesion molecules, and transcription factors. On the other hand, it is known that one of the consequences of hyperglycemia-induced ROS generation is the up-regulation of pro-inflammatory cascades, which, in turn, activate the transcription of genes encoding cytokines-chemokines, growth factors, and extracellular matrix proteins. It is a proven fact that a variety of plant secondary metabolites, such as tannins, flavonoids, and other polyphenols, demonstrate significant anti-diabetic, redox-modulating properties and effectively modulate the inflammatory response. Thus, this review is discussing the possible role of plant phenols in the prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Effect of Encapsulation Processes by Freeze and Spray Drying on the Antioxidant Properties of Red Wine from cv. Listan Prieto and Syrah

BACKGROUND

Wine antioxidants are linked to cardiovascular disease prevention, thus are highly valued by the healthy food market. The dehydration process removes alcohol and water from wine and allows it to extend its shelf life, while encapsulation can help preserve physical-chemical and antioxidant properties. Moreover, information on the effect of wine drying and encapsulation on non-anthocyanin phenolic compounds is limited in the literature.

METHODS

Listan Prieto and Syrah (Vitis vinifera L.) wines were dehydrated and converted into powder by freezing and spray drying. Powdered wines were subjected to water activity, pH, soluble solids, color, and phenolic compounds analysis.

RESULTS

Freeze-drying process produced powdered wines with higher pH than the spray-drying process. Powdered wines made by these processes presented similar water activity and soluble solids. Powdered wines did not show statistical differences in trans-resveratrol, hydrocinnamic acids, phloretin, kaempferol, and quercetin content according to their dehydration process. In addition, powdered wines significantly concentrated hydrocinnamic acid and quercetin when compared to non-dealcoholized and dealcoholized wine samples.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the dehydration process does not negatively modify the characteristics of the wine, and it retains a significant concentration of phenolic compounds. Therefore, powdered wines have an interesting potential to be used as a natural source of antioxidants for food supplementation.

Mediterranean Diet and Its Association with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: A Scoping Review

Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and is interrelated to stroke, heart attack, and heart failure. The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) has been closely associated with reduced CVD morbidity and mortality, but research is not well explored for this relationship in individuals with diabetes (who experience greater CVD morbidity and mortality than individuals without diabetes). The aim of this review was to explore the literature related to the MedDiet and atherosclerosis and associated risk factors in individuals with and without diabetes. In total, 570 articles were identified, and 36 articles were included. The articles were published between 2011 and 2021. Platforms used for the search were PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ProQuest. Our literature search included clinical and observational studies. Clinical studies revealed the MedDiet was associated with improved biomarkers, plaque, and anthropometric measurements that are associated with atherosclerosis and CVD. Observational studies identified associations between the MedDiet and lower presence of atherosclerosis, improved vascular aging, and increased endothelial progenitor cells. However, most of the studies took place in Mediterranean countries. Further research is needed to better understand the long-term effects the MedDiet on atherosclerosis and its associated risk factors in diverse populations to include individuals with and without diabetes.

Intake of an enological oak tannin powder alters hepatic gene express patterns indicative of a reduction of inflammation in male mice fed an obesogenic diet

Hydrolysable tannins, mainly gallotannins and ellagitannins, either extracted directly from oak or as a part of lyophilized extracts from finished wine, have been associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may benefit human health. In this work we hypothesized that a commercially available oak tannin powder provided to C57BL/6J male mice fed a western-style obesogenic diet for 10 weeks would significantly alter hepatic gene expression patterns as determined by RNA sequencing. Over two-thousand genes were uniquely expressed between three different diet groups. Among the 25 canonical pathways that were significantly regulated, intake of oak powder reduced the TNF-alpha/NF-κB, complement activation, IL-5, and Type II interferon signaling; these significant reductions are consistent with a reduction in chronic systemic inflammation associated with consumption of a commercially prepared enological oak tannin.

Therapeutic and Nutraceutical Effects of Polyphenolics from Natural Sources

The prevalence of cardiovascular disease, oxidative stress-related complications, and chronic age-related illnesses is gradually increasing worldwide. Several causes include the ineffectiveness of medicinal treatment therapies, their toxicity, their inability to provide radical solutions in some diseases, and the necessity of multiple drug therapy in certain chronic diseases. It is therefore necessary for alternative treatment methods to be sought. In this review, polyphenols were identified and classified according to their chemical structure, and the sources of these polyphenol molecules are indicated. The cardioprotective, ROS scavenging, anti-aging, anticancer properties of polyphenolic compounds have been demonstrated by the results of many studies, and these natural antioxidant molecules are potential alternative therapeutic agents.

Polyphenols and atherosclerosis: A critical review of clinical effects on LDL oxidation

Atherosclerosis is a major etiology of cardiovascular disease that causes considerable mortality. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) is a fundamental attributor to atherosclerosis. Therefore, there seems to be an essential place for antioxidant therapy besides the current treatment protocols for coronary heart disease. Polyphenols are a class of compounds with substantial antioxidant properties that have shown the ability to reduce LDL oxidation in preclinical studies. However, clinical evidence has not been as conclusive although offering many promising signs. This review aims to examine the trials that have evaluated how dietary intake of polyphenols in different forms might influence the oxidation of LDL. Lowering the circulating cholesterol, incorporation into LDL particles, and enhancing systemic antioxidant activity are among the main mechanisms of action for polyphenols for lowering oxLDL. On the other hand, the population under study significantly affects the impact on oxLDL, as the type of the supplement and phenolic content. To conclude, although the polyphenols might decrease inflammation and enhance endothelial function via lowering oxLDL, there are still many gaps in our knowledge that need to be filled with further high-quality studies.

Associations of the Mediterranean-Style Dietary Pattern Score with Coronary Artery Calcification and Pericardial Adiposity in a Sample of US Adults

Several studies have identified improvements in the risks of cardiovascular disease in adults following a Mediterranean dietary pattern. However, data are scarce on its association with coronary artery calcification (CAC) and pericardial adiposity (PAT) in US adults with and without diabetes. To address this gap, we conducted a case-control study using baseline data from the Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 1 Diabetes (CACTI) study [n = 1255; Type 1 Diabetes (T1D): n = 563; non-Diabetes Mellitus (non-DM): n = 692]. Participants completed a validated food frequency questionnaire, fasting (12 h overnight fast) biochemical analyses, and a physical examination including anthropometric measures. CAC and PAT were measured using electron beam-computed tomography. Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of the Mediterranean-Style Dietary Pattern Score (MSDPS) with CAC (presence or absence), and linear regression models were applied to PAT analyses. In all of the adjusted models, no significant associations with CAC were found. For PAT, an increasing MSDPS was consistently associated with its lower volume in models adjusted for age, sex, diabetes status, total calories, and body mass index (all p < 0.05). The association between MSDPS and PAT was attenuated after adjusting for serum lipids and physical activity. In conclusion, the baseline data from the CACTI study show that a greater adherence to MSDPS is associated with a lower PAT volume and provide evidence that the Mediterranean dietary pattern is associated with lower cardiovascular risk markers.

Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) of Flavones on Their Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Murine Macrophages in Culture through the NF-κB Pathway and c-Src Kinase Receptor

Flavones benefit human health through their anti-inflammatory activity; however, their structure-activity relationship is unclear. Herein, we selected 15 flavones with the same backbone but different substituents and systematically assessed their anti-inflammatory activities in RAW 264.7 regarding cellular-Src kinase (c-Src) affinity, suppression of IκBα phosphorylation, inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible nitric oxidase (iNOS) production, and downregulation of genes of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Overall, our results showed that the double bond between C2-C3 and C3'- and C4'-OH promoted anti-inflammatory activity, while C8- and C5'-OH and the methoxy group on C4' attenuated the overall anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. The hydroxyl groups at other positions exhibited more complicated functions. The two most effective flavones are 3',4'-dihydroxyflavone and luteolin with inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values for inhibiting the LPS-induced nitric oxide level are 9.61 ± 1.36 and 16.90 ± 0.74 μM, respectively. Furthermore, they suppressed the production of iNOS by approximately 90% and inhibited IL-1β and IL-6 by more than 95%. Taken together, our results established a relationship between the flavone structure and anti-inflammatory activity in vitro.

Profile of free and conjugated quercetin content in different Italian wines

Quercetin and its structural derivatives are natural compounds belonging to the flavonoid class, widely distributed in plants. Beneficial physiological activities have been attributed to them, but some require deeper investigation. In this paper the content of quercetin and five analogues (quercetin-3-glucoside, quercetin-3-rutinoside, quercetin-3-ramnoside, quercetin-3-arabinoglucoside, 4'-O-methylquercetin) were determined by HPLC-ESI-MS/MS in wines made of different varieties of red and white vines. The aim was a comparative study focusing on quercetin and on the contribution of related compounds in twenty wines coming from different part of Italy. Wines produced from Sangiovese and Nero d'Avola, monovarietal grapes, were richest in quercetin compounds and our results were compared to our previous study and to other investigations. The proposed method resulted simple, fast, economical, and suitable for the analysis of quercetin analogues without the need of hydrolysis and falls in the optic of a 360° characterization of active wine compounds, with nutraceutical properties.

Implications of Resveratrol in Obesity and Insulin Resistance: A State-of-the-Art Review

Background: Resveratrol is a polyphenol chemical that naturally occurs in many plant-based dietary products, most notably, red wine. Discovered in 1939, widespread interest in the potential health benefits of resveratrol emerged in the 1970s in response to epidemiological data on the cardioprotective effects of wine. Objective: To explore the background of resveratrol (including its origins, stability, and metabolism), the metabolic effects of resveratrol and its mechanisms of action, and a potential future role of dietary resveratrol in the lifestyle management of obesity. Data sources: We performed a narrative review, based on relevant articles written in English from a Pubmed search, using the following search terms: “resveratrol”, “obesity”, “Diabetes Mellitus”, and “insulin sensitivity”. Results: Following its ingestion, resveratrol undergoes extensive metabolism. This includes conjugation (with sulfate and glucuronate) within enterocytes, hydrolyzation and reduction within the gut through the action of the microbiota (with the formation of metabolites such as dihydroresveratrol), and enterohepatic circulation via the bile. Ex vivo studies on adipose tissue reveal that resveratrol inhibits adipogenesis and prevents the accumulation of triglycerides through effects on the expression of Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor γ (PPARγ) and sirtuin 1, respectively. Furthermore, resveratrol induces anti-inflammatory effects, supported by data from animal-based studies. Limited data from human-based studies reveal that resveratrol improves insulin sensitivity and fasting glucose levels in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and may improve inflammatory status in human obesity. Although numerous mechanisms may underlie the metabolic benefits of resveratrol, evidence supports a role in its interaction with the gut microbiota and modulation of protein targets, including sirtuins and proteins related to nitric oxide, insulin, and nuclear hormone receptors (such as PPARγ). Conclusions: Despite much interest, there remain important unanswered questions regarding its optimal dosage (and how this may differ between and within individuals), and possible benefits within the general population, including the potential for weight-loss and improved metabolic function. Future studies should properly address these important questions before we can advocate the widespread adoption of dietary resveratrol supplementation.

Protective Effects of Wine Polyphenols on Oxidative Stress and Hepatotoxicity Induced by Acrylamide in Rats

In recent years, it has been increasingly suggested that the consumption of natural polyphenols, in moderate amounts, is beneficial for health. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a red wine (the administered dose of 7 mL/kg/day being equivalent to ~16.5 mg/kg/day total polyphenols) compared to a white wine (the administered dose of 7 mL/kg/day being equivalent to ~1.7 mg/kg/day total polyphenols), on the prevention of acrylamide-induced subacute hepatic injury and oxidative stress in Wistar rats. Hepatic damage due to acrylamide intoxication (the administered dose being 250 µg/kg body weight, for 28 days, by intragastric gavage) was assessed by employing biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)) and by histopathological studies. Markers of oxidative damage were measured in terms of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), hepatic Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (TBARS) and glutathione (GSH) levels, and liver antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)) activities. Regarding hepatic enzyme activities, treatment with red wine significantly decreased the AST values (p < 0.05), while for the ALT values only a normalization tendency was observed. Treatment with red wine and white wine, respectively, significantly prevented the increase in MDA and TBARS levels (p < 0.05), as well as the depletion of GSH (p < 0.05). Red wine treatment normalized the activities of the antioxidant enzymes CAT and SOD in rats intoxicated with acrylamide, while supplementing the diet with white wine did not produce significant differences in the antioxidant enzyme activities. Histopathological findings revealed a moderate protective effect of red wine after four weeks of daily consumption. Our findings provide evidence that red wine, having a higher phenolic content than white wine, has a significant protective effect on oxidative stress and liver injury induced by acrylamide in rats, through its antioxidative activity.

What Is Hidden Behind The Gender Differences Of Carotid Atherosclerosis?

This review article reveals possible causes that may underlie gender differences of carotid atherosclerosis: vascular anatomy, localization and morphology of atherosclerotic plaques, different effects and prevalence of known risk factors between genders (arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, depression / stress). A separate place in the review is given to markers of inflammation and the protective effect of female sex hormones.