Red wine consumption increases antioxidant status and decreases oxidative stress in the circulation of both young and old humans.
BACKGROUND
Red wine contains a naturally rich source of antioxidants, which may protect the body from oxidative stress, a determinant of age-related disease. The current study set out to determine the in vivo effects of moderate red wine consumption on antioxidant status and oxidative stress in the circulation.


METHODS
20 young (18-30 yrs) and 20 older (>or= 50 yrs) volunteers were recruited. Each age group was randomly divided into treatment subjects who consumed 400 mL/day of red wine for two weeks, or control subjects who abstained from alcohol for two weeks, after which they crossed over into the other group. Blood samples were collected before and after red wine consumption and were used for analysis of whole blood glutathione (GSH), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and serum total antioxidant status.


RESULTS
Results from this study show consumption of red wine induced significant increases in plasma total antioxidant status (P < 0.03), and significant decreases in plasma MDA (P < 0.001) and GSH (P < 0.004) in young and old subjects. The results show that the consumption of 400 mL/day of red wine for two weeks, significantly increases antioxidant status and decreases oxidative stress in the circulation


CONCLUSIONS
It may be implied from this data that red wine provides general oxidative protection and to lipid systems in circulation via the increase in antioxidant status.
Micallef
Michelle
M
School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. michelle.micallef@studentmail.newcastle.edu.au
Lexis
Louise
L
Lewandowski
Paul
P
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D014920:Wine
D000975:Antioxidants; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D005978:Glutathione