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Cardiovascular protection by alcohol and polyphenols: role of nitric oxide
Dale A Parks1, Francois M Booyse
1Department of Anesthesiology and the Center for Free Radical Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, USA. Dale.parks@ccc.uab.edu
Insights
Red wine consumption may reduce cardiovascular disease risk. This review explores how nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) may be key to this cardioprotective effect.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Biochemistry
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary heart disease (CHD), is the primary cause of death in the US.
- Epidemiological studies suggest red wine consumption lowers cardiovascular risk factors and mortality.
- The precise mechanisms behind red wine's cardioprotective effects are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence implicating nitric oxide (NO) in cardiovascular protection.
- To identify nitric oxide synthase (NOS) as a potential cardioprotective protein.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of epidemiological and biochemical studies.
- Analysis of existing research on red wine and cardiovascular health.
- Examination of the role of NO and NOS in cardiovascular function.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests NO plays a critical role in cardiovascular protection.
- NOS is identified as a likely protein responsible for cardioprotective effects.
- This review consolidates findings on the biochemical pathways involved.
Conclusions:
- Nitric oxide (NO) is a critical mediator of cardiovascular protection.
- Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is likely the key protein conferring cardioprotective benefits.
- Further research into NO/NOS pathways may elucidate red wine's cardiovascular benefits.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease, and in particular coronary heart disease (CHD), remains the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States. Much epidemiologic evidence indicates that alcoholic beverages, and in particular red wine, results in a reduction in cardiovascular risk factors and decreases mortality; however, the mechanisms of this cardiovascular protection remains elusive. This review discusses evidence to suggest that *NO plays a critical role in cardiovascular protection and that nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is the responsible cardioprotective protein (see Bolli et al. 1998. Basic Res. Cardiol. 93: 325-338).