Quality Red Wines: Changing the Content of Anthocyanins in the Process of Ripening Grapes

The content of anthocyanins in grape affects the color and sensory properties of red wine. This paper deals with the quality of Cabernet Sauvignon wines examining changes in the content of anthocyanins in the process of ripening grapes. The HPLC results show that the skin extracts obtained from the early defoliation plants showed up to 6 % and corresponding wine up to 24 % increase of the content of total anthocyanins as compared to the extracts from the control grape and corresponding wine samples. Partial early defoliation may be an excellent tool for control of anthocyanins in grapes and may be employed as a management practice as parameter for quality of red wines

Resveratrol: A Multifunctional Compound Improving Endothelial Function: Editorial to: “Resveratrol Supplementation Gender Independently Improves Endothelial Reactivity and Suppresses Superoxide Production in Healthy Rats” by S. Soylemez et al.

The red wine polyphenol resveratrol boosts endothelium-dependent and -independent vasorelaxations. The improvement of endothelial function by resveratrol is largely attributable to nitric oxide (NO) derived from endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). By stimulating eNOS expression, eNOS phosphorylation and eNOS deacetylation, resveratrol enhances endothelial NO production. By upregulating antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase) and suppressing the expression and activity of NADPH oxidases, resveratrol inhibits superoxide-mediated NO inactivation. Some resveratrol effects are mediated by sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) or estrogen receptors, respectively

Resveratrol and Reproductive Health

Resveratrol (RSV), a plant-derived polyphenol, demonstrates broad-spectrum health benefits, including anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-ischemic and antioxidant effects. The aim of this review is to give an important heads-up regarding the influence of RSV as a phytoestrogen, RSV effects on most common pregnancy-related complications, as well as its impact on the embryogenesis, spermatogenesis, and women’s reproductive health. Considering the important implications of RSV on human reproductive health, this overview could provide a groundwork, encouraging more detailed research at the clinical level

The role of potassium channels in the relaxation of rat renal artery induced by resveratrol

Resveratrol, a polyphenol present in red wine, has been thought to be responsible for cardiovascular benefits associated with moderate wine consumption. The mechanism of cardiovascular benefits probably includes vasorelaxation, antioxidant and anti-platelet effects of resveratrol. The mechanisms by which resveratrol causes vasodilatation are uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism (s) of resveratrol-induced vasorelaxation in rat renal artery (RA) with endothelium. RA rings were precontracted with phenylephrine. Resveratrol induced relaxation of the RA rings. Highly selective blocker of ATP-sensitive K+ channels, glibenclamide as well as selective antagonist of voltage-gated K+ (Kv 1.1.-1.6) channels, margatoxin did not block resveratrol-induced relaxation of RA. A nonselective blocker of Kv channels, 4-aminopyridine and a blocker of big Ca-sensitive K+ (BKCa) channels, charybdotoxin inhibited endothelium-dependent relaxation of RA induced by resveratrol. Resveratrol (100 µM) completely relaxed renal artery precontracted with K+-rich solution. In conclusion, we have shown that resveratrol induces relaxation of RA with endothelium. The KV and BKCa channels are involved in this relaxation, but K+ channel- independent mechanism of action also take a part in its vasorelaxant effect