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Wine, alcohol and atherosclerosis: clinical evidences and mechanisms
Luz, P. L. da; Coimbra, S. R.
  • Luz, P. L. da; Universidade de São Paulo. Hospital das Clínicas. Instituto do Coração. Unidade de Aterosclerose. São Paulo. BR
  • Coimbra, S. R; Universidade de São Paulo. Hospital das Clínicas. Instituto do Coração. Unidade de Aterosclerose. São Paulo. BR
Braz. j. med. biol. res ; 37(9): 1275-1295, Sept. 2004. ilus, graf
Article in English | LILACS | ID: lil-365230
RESUMO
Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease which may cause obstructions of the coronary, cerebral and peripheral arteries. It is typically multifactorial, most often dependent on risk factors such as hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, smoking, hypertension, sedentarism, and obesity. It is the single main cause of death in most developed countries due to myocardial infarction, angina, sudden death, and heart failure. Several epidemiological studies suggest that moderate alcohol intake, especially red wine, decrease cardiac mortality due to atherosclerosis. The alcohol effect is described by a J curve, suggesting that moderate drinkers may benefit while abstainers and heavy drinkers are at higher risk. Experimental studies indicate that most beneficial effects of drinking are attributable to flavonoids that are present in red wine, purple grape juice and several fruits and vegetables. The mechanisms include antiplatelet actions, increases in high-density lipoprotein, antioxidation, reduced endothelin-1 production, and increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression which causes augmented nitric oxide production by endothelial cells. These findings lead to the concept that moderate red wine drinking, in the absence of contraindications, may be beneficial to patients who are at risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. Moreover, a diet based on fruits and vegetables containing flavonoids may be even more beneficial.
Subject(s)
Full text: Available Index: LILACS (Americas) Main subject: Arteriosclerosis / Wine / Alcohol Drinking Type of study: Etiology study / Risk factors Limits: Animals / Humans Language: English Journal: Braz. j. med. biol. res Journal subject: Biology / Medicine Year: 2004 Type: Article / Project document Affiliation country: Brazil Institution/Affiliation country: Universidade de São Paulo/BR

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Full text: Available Index: LILACS (Americas) Main subject: Arteriosclerosis / Wine / Alcohol Drinking Type of study: Etiology study / Risk factors Limits: Animals / Humans Language: English Journal: Braz. j. med. biol. res Journal subject: Biology / Medicine Year: 2004 Type: Article / Project document Affiliation country: Brazil Institution/Affiliation country: Universidade de São Paulo/BR