TABLE 1.

Putative mechanisms of the cardioprotective effects of red wine

Inhibition of LDL oxidation – free radical scavenging, metal ion chelation, antioxidant sparing, preservation of paraoxonase activity Inhibition of SMC proliferation and vascular hyperplasia – arresting of cell cycle, inhibition of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, PDGF and MMP-9, apoptosis Inhibition of platelet aggregation – inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase pathway and thromboxane B-2 synthesis, and potentiation of prostaglandin Increased HDL – increase apolipoproteins A-1 and A-2, and C 20:5 (omega-3) Vasorelaxation – eNOS expression and nitric oxide release

HDL High-density lipoprotein; eNOS Endothelial nitric oxide synthase; ICAM-1 Intracellular adhesion molecule 1; LDL Low-density lipoprotein; MMP-9 Matrix metalloproteinase 9; PDGF Platelet-derived growth factor; SMC Smooth muscle cell; VCAM-1 Vascular cell adhesion molecule 1. Adapted from reference 77