Estrogenic activity in white and red wine extracts

Area of Science:

• * Molecular Endocrinology
• * Nutraceuticals and Bioactive Compounds

Background:

• * Red wine contains resveratrol, a stilbenoid with potential anti-cancer properties, and other bioactive compounds like flavonoids.
• * Estrogenic activity in beverages is of interest due to potential health implications and interactions with hormone receptors.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To evaluate and compare the estrogenic activities of red and white wine extracts.
• * To investigate the role of resveratrol and other compounds in wine's estrogenic effects.
• * To determine the estrogen receptor (ER) subtype selectivity of wine extracts.

Main Methods:

• * Yeast estrogen screen (YES) assay using estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) and an estrogen-response-element (ERE)-driven beta-galactosidase reporter.
• * Transient transfection of CHO-K1 cells with ERalpha or ERbeta and an ERE-reporter construct.
• * Evaluation of wine extracts, estradiol (E(2)), and trans-resveratrol, with and without 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT).

Main Results:

• * White wine extract showed no estrogenic activity in either assay.
• * Red wine extracts exhibited estrogenic activity in YES and CHO-K1 cells, mediated by ERalpha and ERbeta, with a preference for ERbeta.
• * Trans-resveratrol alone showed no agonist activity in YES but was active in CHO-K1 cells, suggesting a requirement for mammalian cell factors.

Conclusions:

• * Red wine contains estrogenic compounds, distinct from resveratrol, that directly activate estrogen receptors.
• * The estrogenic activity of red wine is ER-mediated and does not require mammalian cell coactivators.
• * Estrogenic compounds in red wine may contribute to its biological effects, warranting further investigation.