Antiatherogenic effect of grape flavonoids in an ex vivo model.

The effects of grape phytoestrogens on cholesterol accumulation were studied in primary culture of human blood monocytes incubated with blood serum from postmenopausal women obtained before and 2, 4, and 6 h after single intake of plant components of grapes. Phytoestrogens from grape seeds, pressed out grapes, and fermented grape ridges prevent cholesterol accumulation in cells and can be regarded as prospective components for the development of natural preparations for the prevention of atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women.