Scientists Report Why Red Wine Polyphenols Are Healthy

TOKYO--Researchers from the University of Tokyo conducted in vitro research to shed light on the mechanism of action behind the cardioprotective effects of red wine polyphenols. Their research was published in the May 21 issue of Circulation (105, 20:2404-10, 2002) (circ.ahajournals.org).

Previously, red wine polyphenols have been shown to have anti-atherogenic effects--they reduce damage and degenerative changes in artery walls. Because vascular smooth muscle cell migration plays a crucial role in the development of atherosclerosis, researchers sought to elucidate the effect of red wine polyphenols on this process. To do this, they created several assays of smooth muscle cells that were stimulated in vitro by growth factors and then treated with red wine polyphenols.

Red wine polyphenol concentration dependently inhibited platelet-derived growth factor-induced and serum-induced smooth muscle cell migration in wounding assay and Boyden chamber assay. However, these inhibitory effects were not seen in serum-stimulated vascular endothelial cell migration in either assay.

To determine the signaling mechanism underlying the effects of red wine polyphenols, researchers studied the effects on various pathways of stimulated smooth muscle cell cultures. Red wine polyphenols were found to inhibit two distinct signaling pathways--again, in a dose-dependent manner. The concentration-effect relationship of red wine polyphenols necessary to inhibit the two signaling pathways was similar to that found during the cell migration assays.

Researchers concluded that the anti-atherogenic action of red wine polyphenols is achieved through the prevention of smooth muscle cell migration, which occurs through the inhibition of two distinct signaling pathways.