(+)-Catechin in human plasma after ingestion of a single serving of reconstituted red wine

Background: Red wine consumption may decrease the risk of coronary heart di sease through the actions of its constituent flavonoids. (+)-Catechin is an abundant flavonoid in red wine. Objective: The objective was to determine changes in plasma (+)-catechin co ncentrations after ingestion of a single, moderate serving of dealcoholized red wine reconstituted with either water (DRW) or water and alcohol (ARW). Design: Nine subjects (5 men, 4 women) ingested, in random order, 120 mi, D RW on one day and 120 mt ARW on another day. Both the DRW and ARW contained 35 mg (121 mu mol) free (+)-catechin. Blood samples were collected at 0, 0 .5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 h. Plasma was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spe ctrometry for (+)-catechin after enzymatic release of sulfate and glucuroni de conjugates. Results: Calcium ions were needed to effectively hydrolyze (+)-catechin con jugates in plasma containing EDTA. Neither the ARW or DRW nor sex affected the area under the curve at 8 h, the maximum concentration (c(max)), or the time it took for plasma total (+)-catechin to reach maximum concentration (t(max)). Pooled mean (+/-SEM) values for the ARW and DRW were as follows: area under the curve, 306.1 +/- 29.5 nmol.h/l; c(max), 76.7 +/- 7.5 nmol/L; and t(max), 1.44 +/- 0.13 h. The half-life of (+)-catechin in plasma was s ignificantly less (P = 0.038) after ingestion of the ARW (3.17 h) than afte r ingestion of the DRW (4.08 h). Conclusions: Increases in plasma total (+)-catechin concentrations were not significantly different after single moderate servings of either the ARW o r DRW. Alcohol in the ARW hastened the elimination of (+)-catechin from the plasma compartment. (+)-Catechin elimination may represent excretion or co nversion to methylated derivatives.