Dealcoholized red wine decreases atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E gene-deficient mice independently of inhibition of lipid peroxidation in the artery wall

Background: Oxidation of LDL is thought to be important in the development of atherosclerosis. Effective protection against lipoprotein oxidation is achieved by the use of alpha-tocopherol plus coantioxidants-ie, compounds that prevent the prooxidant activity of the vitamin. Wines contain a large number of polyphenols, micronutrients that may act as coantioxidants and may enhance the in vivo antioxidant activity of vitamin E. Objective: We examined whether wines and wine-derived fractions are able to act synergistically with vitamin E in vitro and whether dealcoholized red wine (DRW) retards the development of atherosclerosis. Design: Synergy with vitamin E was assessed in vitro by the ability of red and white wines to both attenuate alpha-tocopheroxyl radicals and inhibit in vitro oxidation of LDL in the presence of vitamin E. Female, 6-8-wk-old apolipoprotein E gene-deficient mice were fed a normal nonpurified stock diet for 24 wk to assess the effect on atherosclerosis of DRW at a dose equivalent to 200 mL . 80 kg body wt(-1) . d(-1). Results: DRW synergized with vitamin E as effectively as did red and white wine, and phenolic acids accounted for most of this activity. Administration of DRW increased plasma and aortic antioxidants concentrations and the resistance of plasma lipoproteins to ex vivo oxidation. Whereas lipoprotein oxidation in the artery wall was not affected, DRW significantly decreased atherosclerosis in the aortic arch, but not in the root, as assessed by morphometry. Conclusions: DRW contains polyphenolic compounds capable of synergizing with vitamin E, and long-term moderate consumption of DRW can decrease atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E gene-deficient mice.