Red Wine Polyphenols Enhance Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression and Subsequent Nitric Oxide Release From Endothelial Cells

Background— Population-based studies suggest a reduced incidence of morbidity and mortality from coronary heart disease caused by moderate and regular consumption of red wine. Endothelial nitric oxide (NO) is a pivotal vasoprotective molecule. This study examines the influence of red wine polyphenols on the regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression and subsequent NO synthesis, focusing on the putative long-lasting antiatherosclerotic effects of red wine. Methods and Results— Treatment (20 hours) of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and of the HUVEC-derived cell line EA.hy926 with a alcohol-free red wine polyphenol extract (RWPE) led to a concentration-dependent (100 to 600 μg/mL), significant increase in NO release (up to 3.0-fold/HUVEC and 2.0-fold/EA.hy926) as shown by use of the fluorescent probe DAF-2. This effect was corroborated by the [14C]l-arginine/l-citrulline conversion assay in intact EA.hy926 cells. RWPE (20 hours, 100 to 600 μg/mL) also significantly inc...