Structure elucidation of phenolic compounds from red/white wine with antiatherogenic properties

The oxidative modification of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) is supposed to play a critical role in atherogenesis. During this oxidation a potent inflammatory phospholipid mediator named platelet activating factor (PAF) is produced, and it is believed to be the key for the initiation of the inflammation and therefore for the process of atherogenesis. From many studies, it is established that wine has beneficial effects on health, including protection against cardiovascular diseases. According to our point of view, the cardioprotective effect of wine may be attributed partly to the existence of PAF antagonists in red or white wine and partly to the existence of antioxidants that reduce the oxidation of LDL and therefore the production of PAF. In this study, wine compounds that antagonize PAF were isolated and purified via chromatographic procedures, and determined structurally using chemical, enzymatic and spectroscopic methods.