Abstract
The protective effect of dealcoholized red wine on human health has been partially associated with its polyphenolic components, suggesting that the pool of polyphenols, including flavonoids and anthocyanins, can be responsible for the functional effects of this beverage. We hypothesize a new role of red wine polyphenols (RWp) in modulating the antioxidant potential of erythrocytes, protecting them against oxidative stress. We previously demonstrated that RWp activated the Plasma Membrane Redox System (PMRS), which is involved in neutralizing plasma free radicals. Here, we investigated the underlying mechanism triggered by RWp in the activation of PMRS via the involvement of GSH. Hence, treatment of human erythrocytes with RWp (73 μg/mL Gallic Acid Equivalents) increased GSH intracellular concentration, which depends upon the activation of glutathione reductase (GR) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), whose enzymatic activities increase of about 30% and 47%, respectively. Changes in the GSH pathway induced by RWp were associated with a slight but significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS). We conclude that the pro-oxidant effect of RWp promoted an adaptive stress response in human erythrocytes, which enhances their antioxidant defense.
Highlights
Over the years, several studies have strengthened the role of diet in the prevention of chronic diseases, highlighting how dietary intervention can promote health status and restore imbalances induced by lifestyle and environmental factors [1,2]
We previously demonstrated that red wine polyphenols (RWp) activated erythrocytes Plasma Membrane Redox System (PMRS) [26], a transmembrane enzymatic complex that plays a crucial role in the regulation of cellular homeostasis and redox state, aging, lifespan, and several oxidative stress-induced pathological conditions [27,28,29]
We investigate the mechanism triggered by RWp in protecting human erythrocytes from oxidative stress throughout the activation of PMRS and we suggest a new role of RWp in regulating antioxidant defense
Summary
Several studies have strengthened the role of diet in the prevention of chronic diseases, highlighting how dietary intervention can promote health status and restore imbalances induced by lifestyle and environmental factors [1,2]. Changes in dietary patterns including moderate wine consumption could have a positive role in health promotion and disease risk prevention, like cardiovascular and metabolic syndrome, neuronal cognitive decline, and cancer [3,4,5]. The beneficial role of RW consumption in reducing the incidence of metabolic syndrome was supported by the PREDIMED (Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea) study in elderly Mediterranean people at high cardiovascular risk [7,8]. Another interesting evidence suggested the involvement of RW in the modulation of gut microbiota, contributing to the microbial balance resulting in an improvement in health status [9]. Despite these in vivo promising results, more randomized clinical trials are necessary to better define the involvement of RW in reducing the related risk of several pathological conditions
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