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The red wine hypothesis: from concepts to protective signalling molecules
Lionel H Opie1, Sandrine Lecour
1Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hatter Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Cape Town, Private Bag 3, Observatory, South Africa. lionel.opie@uct.ac.za
European Heart Journal
|June 15, 2007
Summary
The red wine hypothesis suggests cardiovascular benefits, but evidence is mixed. De-alcoholized red wine and resveratrol show promise for heart health, warranting further trials.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Nutritional Science
- Pharmacology
Background:
- A J-shaped relationship exists between alcohol intake and total mortality.
- Epidemiological data supporting specific red wine benefits over white wine are limited.
- The 'French paradox' may be influenced by confounding factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence for and against the 'red wine hypothesis' for cardiovascular benefits.
- To explore the role of red wine components, particularly resveratrol, in cardiovascular health.
- To assess the potential for therapeutic trials involving red wine or resveratrol.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological and mechanistic studies on alcohol, red wine, and cardiovascular health.
- Analysis of human studies on de-alcoholized red wine and its components.
- Examination of molecular mechanisms of resveratrol's effects on cardiovascular endpoints.
Main Results:
- Human studies with de-alcoholized red wine show short-term cardiovascular benefits.
- Polyphenols in red wine, especially resveratrol, are key active components.
- Resveratrol demonstrates beneficial effects on arterial damage, blood pressure, platelet aggregation, and cellular survival in heart failure models.
Conclusions:
- Evidence suggests cardiovascular benefits from de-alcoholized red wine and resveratrol, independent of alcohol.
- Resveratrol's multifaceted mechanisms support its therapeutic potential for cardiovascular diseases.
- Prospective trials of alcohol, red wine, and resveratrol are mechanistically feasible and warranted, particularly for heart failure patients.
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