Changes in LDL Oxidative Status and Oxidative and Inflammatory Gene Expression after Red Wine Intake in Healthy People: A Randomized Trial.

Laura Di Renzo, Luigi Tonino Marsella, Alberto Carraro, Roberto Valente, Paola Gualtieri, Santo Gratteri, Diego Tomasi, Federica Gaiotti, Antonino De Lorenzo

Journal: Mediators of inflammation 2016;2015():317348

PMID: 26101461

Plain Language Summary

plain language summary logo

It is recognised that inflammation and oxidative stress may play a role in the development of heart disease. Red wine has previously been shown to lower inflammation and improve antioxidant status. This small, randomised, crossover trial aims to investigate if resveratrol in red wine causes these effects. The trial involved twenty-four healthy adults who took part in the four intervention arms, with a three week washout period in between. Blood markers and genomic information were measured at (1) baseline and after each intervention: (2) a high-fat McDonald’s meal (McDM), (3) McDM + red wine and (4) just red wine. While eating McDM alone raised markers of oxidative stress, having red wine with McDM lowered markers. The authors concluded that having red wine with a meal could reduce the levels of inflammation and oxidative stress normally seen after eating. It was suggested that moderate red wine consumption (2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women) could potentially lower the risk of heart disease, but longer term studies are needed before definite conclusions can be drawn.

Abstract

Postprandial oxidative stress is characterized by an increased susceptibility of the organism towards oxidative damage after consumption of a meal rich in lipids and/or carbohydrates. Micronutrients modulate immune system and exert a protective action by reducing low density lipoproteins (LDL) oxidation via induction of antioxidant enzymes. We evaluated the gene expression of oxidative stress (HOSp), inflammasome (HIp), and human drug metabolism pathways (HDM) and ox-LDL level at baseline and after the intake of red wine naturally enriched with resveratrol (NPVRW), in association with or without a McDonald's meal (McDM). The ox-LDL levels significantly increase comparing baseline (B) versus McDM and decreased comparing McDM versus McDM + NPVRW (P ≤ 0.05). Percentages of significant genes expressed after each nutritional intervention were the following: (1) B versus McDM, 2.88% HOSp, 2.40% of HIp, and 3.37% of HDMp; (2) B versus McDM + NPVRW, 1.44% of HOSp, 4.81% of HIp, and 0.96% of HDMp; (3) McDM versus McDM + NPVRW, 2.40% of HOSp, 2.40% of HIp, and 5.77% of HDMp; (4) B versus NPVRW, 4.80% HOSp, 3.85% HIp, and 3.85% HDMp. NPVRW intake reduced postprandial ox-LDL and the expression of inflammation and oxidative stress related genes. Chronic studies on larger population are necessary before definitive conclusions.

Address: Section of Clinical Nutrition and Nutrigenomics, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy.; Division of Legal Medicine and Social Security, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy.; Department of Surgery and Medical Science, University "Magna Græcia", 88100 Germaneto, Italy.; Council for Agricultural Research and Experimentation-Viticulture Centre (CRA-VIT), 31015 Conegliano, Italy.; Section of Clinical Nutrition and Nutrigenomics, Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy ; National Institute for Mediterranean Diet and Nutrigenomics (I.N.DI.M.), 87032 Amantea, Italy.
Bant logo

© Copyright 2026, Nutrition Evidence

NED wishes to thank the following organisations for their support:

We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze site traffic with Google Analytics. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our use of cookies. Learn more.