Red wine reduces oxidative stress in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Background: Moderate red wine consumption improved endothelial function in normal volunteers. Herein we explored the effects of moderate red wine consumption in endothelial function and in oxidative stress in patients with an acute coronary syndrome. Methods: 20 patients treated with percutaneous coronary interventions after an acute coronary syndrome were randomized to a red-wine group (n=9, 250 ml daily, Cabernet Sauvignon) or to a control group (n=11, abstinence from alcoholic beverages). Studies were performed at baseline and after 2 months. Endothelial function was estimated by flow-mediated vasodilatation of the brachial artery. Plasma antioxidant capacity was measured by total antioxidant reactivity and ferric reducing antioxidant power. Oxidative damage was evaluated by measurements of 8-OH deoxyguanosine content in leukocyte deoxyribonucleic acid. Results: The endothelium dependent/independent dilatation ratio significantly improved compared to baseline in both groups. The 8-OH deoxyguanosine content decreased significantly in both groups; this effect was more pronounced with wine (p<0.002 vs. control). Oxidative deoxyribonucleic acid damage in controls decreased from 13.1±1.1 to 10.0±1.0 (p<0.003); with wine from 13±0.8 to 5.6±0.7 per 10⁵ guanosines (p<0.001; p<0.002 vs. control). Total antioxidant reactivity increased from 240±18 to 268±18 μM in the control group and from 273±20 to 330±15 μM in the wine group (p<0.03 vs. control). Ferric reducing antioxidant power increased from 1106±60 to 1235±42 μM in the control group and from 1219±82 to 1450±63 μM in the wine group (p<0.001 vs. control). Conclusions: The addition of moderate amounts of red wine did not improve endothelial function beyond conventional therapy, whereas it showed benefits in parameters of oxidative stress in these patients.