Evidence of cardiovascular protection by moderate alcohol: role of nitric oxide.
Epidemiological evidence indicates that moderate alcohol consumption reduces the incidence of heart disease. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is a key regulator of vascular homeostasis and myocardial functions through the controlled production of nitric oxide (*NO). These studies were conducted to determine if the apparent alcohol-associated cardioprotection is mediated, in part, through modulation of the eNOS protein and activity in the cardiovascular system. Rats were fed alcohol and eNOS protein and *NO production were evaluated at the end of 8 weeks. Myocardial and vascular function was assessed ex vivo in a subset of animals. Moderate alcohol improved postischemic myocardial systolic and diastolic function and attenuated the postischemic reduction in coronary vascular resistance. Moderate alcohol also enhanced maximum vascular relaxation by 26 +/- 0.2% and increased plasma *NO production concomitant with a greater than 2.5-fold increase in eNOS protein. Higher levels of alcohol impaired maximum vascular relaxation by 22 +/- 0.1%. These results suggest that moderate alcohol improves postischemic myocardial functions and increases *NO production by vascular endothelium. An increase in *NO may explain, at least in part, the cardioprotective benefits of moderate alcohol consumption.
Abou-Agag
Laila H
LH
Department of Anesthesiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.
Khoo
Nicholas K
NK
Binsack
Ralf
R
White
C Roger
CR
Darley-Usmar
Victor
V
Grenett
Hernan E
HE
Booyse
Francois M
FM
Digerness
Stanley B
SB
Zhou
Fen
F
Parks
Dale A
DA
D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000503:physiopathology; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000431:Ethanol