(Circulation. 2001;103:1681.)
© 2001 American Heart Association, Inc.
Basic Science Reports |
Red Wine Does Not Reduce Mature Atherosclerosis in Apolipoprotein E–Deficient Mice
From the Department of Cardiology and Institute of Experimental Clinical Research, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark (J.F.B., E.F.); the Departments of General Practice (E.S.) and Forensic Toxicology (C.H.), Aarhus University, Denmark; the Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark (J.M.); the Department of Applied Chemistry, Université Victor Segalen Bordeaux II, France (N.S.); and the Department of Chemistry, University of Scranton, Pa (J.P.).
Correspondence to Jacob F. Bentzon, Dept of Cardiology, Research Unit, Aarhus University Hospital, Brendstrupgaardsvej, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. E-mail jab{at}studmed.au.dk
Background—Red wine polyphenols and ethanol reduce fatty streak formation (early atherosclerosis) in various animal models. These experimental results support the observation that alcoholic beverages protect against myocardial infarction in humans. However, fatty streaks may not reflect the pathology of mature and clinically relevant atherosclerosis. The present study examined the effects of red wine polyphenols and ethanol on mature atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E–deficient mice.
Methods and Results—Eighty-four 7-week-old mice were randomized to receive water, red wine (diluted to 6% ethanol v/v), 6% ethanol v/v, or red wine powder in water. All mice were fed a normal chow diet. At 26 weeks of age, the mice were killed. HDL cholesterol was raised 12.0% (95% CI, 4.0% to 20.0%) and 9.2% (95% CI, 1.5% to 16.9%) by red wine and ethanol, respectively. At the end of study, all mice exhibited advanced atherosclerosis in the aortic bulb, whereas less mature atherosclerosis predominated in the brachiocephalic trunk. The amount of atherosclerosis in the aortic bulb and the brachiocephalic trunk were similar in all groups (P=0.92 and P=0.14, respectively). To evaluate whether ethanol or red wine polyphenols were protective by stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques rather than reducing their size, we measured the percentage of collagen-poor areas in left coronary sinus plaques as a morphological criterion of plaque stability. The percentage of collagen-poor areas did not differ between groups (P=0.71).
Conclusions—Neither ethanol nor red wine polyphenols reduced mature atherosclerosis or changed the content of collagen in plaques in apolipoprotein E–deficient mice.
Key Words: atherosclerosis • alcohol • antioxidants
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