Expression of adhesion molecules on granulocytes and monocytes following myocardial infarction in rats drinking white wine.

Neutrophils and monocytes through their CD15s, CD11b and CD44 adhesion molecules are implicated in the initiation and resolution of cardiac inflammation as well as in healing processes after the myocardial infarction (MI). The aim of this study was to determine the effect of white wine consumption on granulocyte and monocyte CD15s, CD11b, and CD44 expression 24h after the surgically inflicted MI. Granulocytes and monocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry, using whole blood of male Sprague-Dawley rats that consumed white wine for 4 weeks. This group was compared with water only drinking controls, sham animals (subject to surgery without myocardial infarction) and baseline group (intact animals that received no intervention prior to being sacrificed). Sham animals did not differ from baseline animals in CD11b+CD44+ percentage and CD44+ median fluorescence intensity. Wine drinking was associated with striking increase in CD44 expression on monocyte subpopulations. Its expression was three and fourfold increased on monocytes and large monocytes, respectively, relative to the water only drinking controls. Because of known role of CD44 on suppression of post-infarction inflammation, its upregulation on granulocytes and monocytes may significantly contribute to the microenvironment favourable for the cardiac regeneration.

Effects of White Wine Consumption on Weight in Rats: Do Polyphenols Matter?

INTRODUCTION: Effects of white wine and the role of wine polyphenols on weight gain in rats of different age were examined in the 4-week-voluntary-consumption trial. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Biochemically characterized standard (low polyphenols, W) and macerated (high polyphenolic content, PW) white wines were compared. One- and three-month-old Sprague-Dawley male rats (n = 78) were used. Each age group was subdivided into water-only-drinking controls (C), W, and PW-drinking animals. Daily wine and total liquid consumption, food intake, and body weight were measured, and energy intake and feed efficiency index were calculated. RESULTS: In both age categories, wine-drinking animals consumed less food and gained less weight in comparison to C (181 ± 2, 179 ± 6, and 201 ± 5 in younger animals and 32 ± 5, 28 ± 6, and 47 ± 4 grams in older animals, resp.), regardless of wine type. Total energy intake was the lowest in PW-drinking animals. CONCLUSION: Wine-drinking animals gained less weight in comparison to C, regardless of the wines' polyphenol content. Although our results are indicative of the major role of nonphenolic constituents of the wines (probably ethanol), the modifying role of wine phenolics on weight gain cannot be excluded as the group consuming PW had lower total energy intake than other groups.

White Wine Consumption Influences Inflammatory Phase of Repair After Myocardial Infarction in Rats.

Effects of white wine (WW) consumption on the expression of inflammatory markers/mediators (MMP-2, MMP-9, NF-ĸB p65 and TGF-ß1) in myocardial tissue after experimentally induced permanent myocardial ischemia was investigated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given either a combination of WW and water or only water, for 28 days. After coronary ligation, animals were left to survive for 24 hours. Three representative areas: infarct/ischemic, peri-infarct/border zone, and control/non-ischemic zones were analyzed for expression of immunoreactivity by measuring the threshold area % of signal density. For MMP-9, significantly smaller expression was found in all 3 zones of wine drinking animals (P < 0.001). There was no difference in MMP-2 immunoreactivity between the 2 groups, except in peri-infarct zones, where the signal was significantly decreased (P < 0.001). The same pattern of expression was found for the NF-κB p65 signal, although no differences between experimental groups were observed for TGF-ß1. White wine consumption decreases the expression of the 3 investigated inflammatory markers/mediators in the peri-infarct zone, suggesting its significant modulatory effect. For MMP-9 and MMP-2, expression was similar to the effect of postischemic reperfusion. No effect on TGF-ß1 was observed, highlighting its role in being the master-switch, changing from the inflammatory to the proliferative stage of infarct healing.

Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum L.): phytochemical profile, antioxidative, cholinesterase inhibitory and vasodilatory activity.

Sea fennel, a rediscovered star of the coastal cuisine, has been investigated for its phytochemical profile and biological potential. Sea fennel flowers, stems and leaves were analyzed for essential oils (EOs) isolated by hydrodistillation, as well as non-volatiles obtained by ethanolic extraction. Limonene were found to be a dominant compound in EOs and ethanolic extracts; ranging from 57.5-74.2 % and 0.7-8.1 mg/g dry plant material, respectively. In addition total phenolic content was determined for ethanolic extracts. All samples and their main phytochemicals were tested for various methods. EO and extract obtained from flowers were tested for vasodilatory activity on rat aortic rings. Antioxidant activity of EOs was extremely low in comparison to extracts, on the contrary to cholinesterase inhibition where EOs showed better activity than extracts. Flower extract and chlorogenic acid showed stronger vasodilators in comparison to EO and limonene. The obtained results point out the potential impact of the dominant compounds from EO and extract on the biological properties of the sea fennel.