Ethanol, wine, and experimental cardioprotection in ischemia/reperfusion: role of the prooxidant/antioxidant balance.
It is now well established that oxidative stress resulting from reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are generated in cardiac myocytes subjected to ischemia/reperfusion plays a causative role in the development of heart failure and may contribute to promote cell death. During the last decade, several groups have reported that, in animal models of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion, certain nutrients, including ethanol and nonethanolic components of wine, may have a specific protective effect on the myocardium, independent of the classical risk factors implicated in vascular atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Mechanisms through which the consumption of alcoholic beverages protects against ischemia-induced cardiac injury are still unknown. One major open question is whether ethanol and nonethanolic components of wine are cardioprotective, at least in part, by interfering with the myocardial prooxidant/antioxidant balance. Important concepts, such as cardiac preconditioning, are now entering the field of nutrition, and recent experimental evidence suggests that ethanol and/or nonethanolic components of wine might exert preconditioning effects in animal models of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion. There is no doubt that such an observation, if confirmed in human subjects, might open new perspectives in the prevention and treatment of ischemic coronary heart disease.
Rakotovao
Andry
A
Université Joseph Fourier, Grenoble, France. joel.deleiris@ujf-grenoble.fr
Berthonneche
Corinne
C
Guiraud
Annabelle
A
de Lorgeril
Michel
M
Salen
Patricia
P
de Leiris
Joël
J
Boucher
François
F
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006321:Heart / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D016877:Oxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014920:Wine
D000975:Antioxidants; D016877:Oxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D000431:Ethanol