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Hydroxycinnamic acids do not prevent aortic atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic golden Syrian hamsters
Cyril Auger1, Nathalie Laurent, Caroline Laurent
1Unité Nutrition, Laboratoire Génie Biologique et Sciences des Aliments, Université Montpellier II, CC 023, Place Eugène Bataillon, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 05, France.
Life Sciences
|March 5, 2004
Summary
Red wine polyphenols, not hydroxycinnamic acids, significantly reduced atherosclerosis in hamsters. Chronic consumption of nonalcoholic red wine components offers protection against cardiovascular disease development.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Nutritional Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a major cause of cardiovascular disease.
- Polyphenols in red wine are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Hydroxycinnamic acids are common phenolic compounds found in wine and other foods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of red wine phenolic extract (RWPE) and specific hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic acid, sinapic acid, chlorogenic acid) against diet-induced atherosclerosis in hamsters.
- To determine if hydroxycinnamic acids are the primary compounds responsible for the cardioprotective effects of red wine.
Main Methods:
- Hamsters were fed an atherogenic diet for 12 weeks.
- Five groups received force-feeding of RWPE, caffeic acid (CA), sinapic acid (SA), chlorogenic acid (CHA), or water (control).
- Plasma lipid profiles, apolipoprotein concentrations, liver enzyme activities, plasma antioxidant capacity, and aortic fatty streak areas were measured.
Main Results:
- RWPE significantly reduced plasma cholesterol (-22%) and apolipoprotein B (-46%) concentrations.
- RWPE consumption led to decreased liver superoxide dismutase activity and increased glutathione peroxidase activity.
- All tested phenolic compounds increased plasma antioxidant capacity by approximately 28%.
- RWPE significantly reduced aortic fatty streak area (-30%), while hydroxycinnamic acids showed no significant effect.
Conclusions:
- Chronic ingestion of nonalcoholic red wine components, primarily polyphenols, prevents atherosclerosis development in hamsters.
- Hydroxycinnamic acids present in wine are not the key phenolic compounds responsible for the observed cardioprotective effects.