Cardiovascular protection by alcohol and polyphenols: role of nitric oxide.
Cardiovascular disease, and in particular coronary heart disease (CHD), remains the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States. Much epidemiologic evidence indicates that alcoholic beverages, and in particular red wine, results in a reduction in cardiovascular risk factors and decreases mortality; however, the mechanisms of this cardiovascular protection remains elusive. This review discusses evidence to suggest that *NO plays a critical role in cardiovascular protection and that nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is the responsible cardioprotective protein (see Bolli et al. 1998. Basic Res. Cardiol. 93: 325-338).
Parks
Dale A
DA
Department of Anesthesiology and the Center for Free Radical Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35233, USA. Dale.parks@ccc.uab.edu
Booyse
Francois M
FM
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005419:Flavonoids; D006801:Humans; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D010636:Phenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011108:Polymers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D059808:Polyphenols
D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D011108:Polymers; D059808:Polyphenols; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000431:Ethanol