E. Andriambeloson et al., Natural dietary polyphenolic compounds cause endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in rat thoracic aorta, J NUTR, 128(12), 1998, pp. 2324-2333
This study investigated the possible active principles which support the en
dothelial nitric oxide-dependent relaxation produced by red wine and other
plant polyphenolic compounds in thoracic aorta from male Wistar rats (12-14
wk old). Relaxation experiments were recorded isometrically on vessels pre
contracted with norepinephrine. Ten different chromatographic fractions (3-
18 mg) isolated from red wine polyphenolic compounds (RWPC) and some availa
ble defined polyphenols (10-15 mg) were tested. Fractions enriched into eit
her anthocyanins or oligomeric condensed tannins exhibited endothelium-depe
ndent vasorelaxant activity (maximal relaxation in the range of 59-77%) com
parable to the original RWPC. However, polymeric condensed tannins elicited
a weaker vasorelaxant activity than the original RWPC (maximal relaxation
ranged between 20-47%, P < 0.01). Moreover, the representative of either ph
enolic acid derivatives (benzoic acid, vanillic acid, gallic acid), hydroxy
cinnamic acid (p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid) or the flavanol [(+)-epicatec
hin] classes failed to induce this type of response. Among the anthocyanins
, delphinidin (maximal relaxation being 89%), but not malvidin or cyanidin,
showed endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, These results show that antho
cyanins and oligomeric-condensed tannins exhibited a pharmacological profil
e comparable to the original RWPC, These compounds may be involved in the r
eduction of cardiovascular mortality related to the presence of wine, fruit
s and vegetables in the diet.