Natural dietary polyphenolic compounds cause endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in rat thoracic aorta

• Published in: The Journal of nutrition Vol. 128; no. 12; p. 2324
• Main Authors: Andriambeloson, E, Magnier, C, Haan-Archipoff, G, Lobstein, A, Anton, R, Beretz, A, Stoclet, J C, Andriantsitohaina, R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-12-1998
• Subjects: Animals; Aorta, Thoracic; Diet; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Flavonoids; Male; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular - drug effects; Nitric Oxide; Phenols - administration & dosage; Phenols - isolation & purification; Phenols - pharmacology; Polymers - administration & dosage; Polymers - isolation & purification; Polymers - pharmacology; Polyphenols; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Structure-Activity Relationship; Vasodilation - drug effects; Wine
• ISSN: 0022-3166
• DOI: 10.1093/jn/128.12.2324

This study investigated the possible active principles which support the endothelial 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 precontracted with norepinephrine. Ten different chromatographic fractions (3-18 mg) isolated from red wine polyphenolic compounds (RWPC) and some available defined polyphenols (10-15 mg) were tested. Fractions enriched into either anthocyanins or oligomeric condensed tannins exhibited endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant activity (maximal relaxation in the range of 59-77%) comparable 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 phenolic acid derivatives (benzoic acid, vanillic acid, gallic acid), hydroxycinnamic acid (p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid) or the flavanol [(+)-epicatechin] 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 anthocyanins and oligomeric-condensed tannins exhibited a pharmacological profile comparable to the original RWPC. These compounds may be involved in the reduction of cardiovascular mortality related to the presence of wine, fruits and vegetables in the diet.