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Beyond alcohol: beverage consumption and cardiovascular mortality
D M Goldberg1, S E Hahn, J G Parkes
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Summary
Moderate alcohol consumption, particularly red wine, may protect against coronary heart disease by improving cholesterol levels and reducing blood clotting. Resveratrol, a compound in red wine, shows potential in modulating these factors.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Molecular Pharmacology
Background:
- Epidemiological studies consistently show an inverse relationship between alcohol consumption and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality.
- This cardioprotective effect appears independent of sex and age across diverse populations.
- Potential mechanisms include increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and reduced platelet coagulability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the epidemiological evidence for alcohol's cardioprotective effects.
- To explore the biochemical mechanisms underlying this protection, focusing on phenolic compounds in red wine.
- To investigate the specific role of trans-resveratrol in modulating lipoprotein metabolism and coagulation.
Main Methods:
- Review of epidemiological studies on alcohol consumption and CHD.
- Analysis of biochemical pathways involving ethanol, phenolic compounds, and eicosanoids.
- In vitro studies using the HepG2 human hepatoma cell line to assess resveratrol's effects on cellular processes.
Main Results:
- Alcohol consumption is linked to reduced CHD mortality, mediated by HDL cholesterol and platelet function.
- Red wine's phenolic compounds, including trans-resveratrol, may offer additional protection via antioxidant and anti-coagulant effects.
- Resveratrol in HepG2 cells did not affect cell viability or protein synthesis but enhanced DNA synthesis at high concentrations and reduced apolipoprotein B secretion.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol, especially red wine components like resveratrol, exhibits cardioprotective properties through multiple biochemical pathways.
- Resveratrol influences lipoprotein metabolism and coagulation, warranting further investigation into its therapeutic potential.
- Ongoing research aims to elucidate the precise mechanisms of resveratrol's effects on apolipoprotein synthesis and secretion.