title: Beer elicits vasculoprotective effects through Akt/eNOS activation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is controversy regarding the effect of alcohol beverage intake in vascular vasodilatory function in peripheral arteries. The effects of beer intake in coronary vasodilation remain unknown. We investigated whether regular beer intake (alcohol and alcohol-free) protects against hypercholesterolaemia-induced coronary endothelial dysfunction and the mechanisms behind this effect.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pigs were fed 10 days: (i) a Western-type hypercholesterolaemic diet (WD); (ii) WD+low-dose beer (12·5 g alcohol/day); (iii) WD+moderate-dose beer (25 g alcohol/day); or (iv) WD+moderate-dose alcohol-free-beer (0·0 g alcohol/day). Coronary responses to endothelium-dependent vasoactive drugs (acetylcholine: receptor mediated; calcium ionophore-A23189: nonreceptor mediated), endothelium-independent vasoactive drug (SNP) and L-NMMA (NOS-antagonist) were evaluated in the LAD coronary artery by flow Doppler. Coronary Akt/eNOS activation, MCP-1 expression, oxidative DNA damage and superoxide production were assessed. Lipid profile, lipoproteins resistance to oxidation and urinary isoxanthohumol concentration were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Alcoholic and nonalcoholic beer intake prevented WD-induced impairment of receptor- and non-receptor-operated endothelial-dependent coronary vasodilation. All animals displayed a similar vasodilatory response to SNP and L-NMMA blunted all endothelial-dependent vasorelaxation responses. Haemodynamic parameters remained unchanged. Coronary arteries showed lower DNA damage and increased Akt/eNOS axis activation in beer-fed animals. Animals taking beer showed HDL with higher antioxidant capacity, higher LDL resistance to oxidation and increased isoxanthohumol levels. Weight, lipids levels, liver enzymes and MCP-1 expression were not affected by beer intake.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Non-alcoholic-related beer components protect against hyperlipemia-induced coronary endothelial dysfunction by counteracting vascular oxidative damage and preserving the Akt/eNOS pathway. Light-to-moderate beer consumption prevents and/or reduces the endothelial dysfunction associated with cardiovascular risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Research Center, CSIC-ICCC, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, IIB-Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vilahur
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Casani
authors.forename: Guiomar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mendieta
authors.forename: Rosa M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Lamuela-Raventos
authors.forename: Ramon
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Estruch
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Badimon
mesh_terms: D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000409:Alanine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001515:Beer; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000378:metabolism; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000187:drug effects*; D066273:Diet, Western; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000503:physiopathology; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051058:Oncogene Protein v-akt / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology; D011897:Random Allocation; D034421:Sus scrofa; D013552:Swine; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D014280:Triglycerides; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D019323:omega-N-Methylarginine; D000431:Ethanol; D002784:Cholesterol; C025293:alaproclate; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; D051058:Oncogene Protein v-akt; D000109:Acetylcholine; D000409:Alanine
keywords: Animal model; antioxidant; beer; coronary; vascular endothelial function