Acute smoking induces endothelial dysfunction in healthy smokers. Is this reversible by red wine's antioxidant constituents?
OBJECTIVE
Acute smoking causes endothelial dysfunction through impairment of nitric oxide (NO) production, or increased oxidative stress, but the exact mechanism still needs to be elucidated. In healthy non-smokers acute endothelial dysfunction caused by smoking one cigarette was counterbalanced by red wine's antioxidants. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether red wine's antioxidant substances could counteract the acute endothelial dysfunction induced by acute cigarette smoking in healthy smokers as well.


METHODS
Twenty healthy volunteers (12 males) participated in a double-blind, cross-over study, comprised of three study days. All subjects either smoked one cigarette, or smoked and drank 250 ml of red wine, or smoked and drank 250 ml of dealcoholized red wine in each one of the study days. Flow mediated dilatation (FMD) was measured at fast and 30, 60 and 90 minutes after each trial.


RESULTS
Smoking one cigarette induced a significant decrease in FMD (p < 0.001), which remained significant 30 (p < 0.001), and 60 (p = 0.003) minutes after the end of smoking. FMD remained statistically unchanged after consumption of either regular red wine, or dealcoholized red wine together with smoking.


CONCLUSIONS
The observed endothelial dysfunction following smoking of one cigarette was counterbalanced by consumption of either red wine or dealcoholized red wine in healthy smokers. It is possible that acute endothelial dysfunction caused by smoking could be attributed to increased oxidative stress and red wine's antioxidants counteract these acute effects of smoke on endothelium.
Karatzi
Kalliopi
K
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece, El. Venizelou 70, Athens 17671, GREECE.
Papamichael
Christos
C
Karatzis
Emmanouil
E
Papaioannou
Theodore G
TG
Voidonikola
Paraskevi Th
PT
Lekakis
John
J
Zampelas
Antonis
A
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects; D014920:Wine
D000975:Antioxidants; D009569:Nitric Oxide