The science of viruses:virology
 

Welcome to our virology Archive. Have fun browsing!

 

Article #201: Can Wine Help Or Harm You? Resveratrol And Procyanidins Are The Key

(Browse for more articles)

 
Wine is a fermented product of grapes Platelets play a very important role in
which contains alcohol in the form of plaque formation which can begin with any
ethanol along with anti-oxidants such as of the following: Hypertension [high
polyphenols, anthocyanidins and blood pressure], hyperglycemia [increase
resveratrol. Research shows resveratrol in sugar level in diabetes mellitus],
is more potent than Vitamin C as an toxins such as nicotine from tobacco or
antioxidant. Resveratrol is also found in excessive production of amino acid
peanuts, mulberries, cranberries other homocystine.
than in grapes. Resveratrol is found in It has also been said to promote the
grapevines (Vitis vinifera L). It is a formation of new dendrites in the brain.
polyphenolic Phytoalexin which are Resveratrol was also reported effective
antibiotics produced by plants that are against neuronal cell dysfunction and
under attack. Resveratrol and the other cell death, and help against diseases
bioflavonoids and polyphenols are present such as Huntington's disease and
in large amounts in the vines, roots, Alzheimer's disease. Hence it is said to
seeds, stalks and leaves but its highest be neuroprotective in nature. Resveratrol
concentration is in grape skins. Thus, has also shown anti-ageing,
red wine, which is fermented with the antimutagenic, anti-inflammatory,
skins, seeds, twigs, etc., tends to antifungal and antiviral properties.
contain much larger quantities of the Resveratrol seems to increase the potency
beneficial substances than white wine of some antiretroviral drugs against HIV
which is fermented only from the pressed in vitro.
juice of the grape. Resveratrol has been found to inhibit
Resveratrol is said to prevent thrombin cellular events associated with tumor
clots which may lead to coronary heart initiation, promotion and progression.
diseases or pulmonary embolism Hence it also has anti-cancer property.
[obstruction of blood vessels] and hence It has been found to inhibit the enzyme
can be cardioprotective in action as it cyclooxygenase (COX) in different cancer
prevents platelet aggregation. models, suggesting an effect at the level
Resveratrol can be a boon to those who of tumor promotion. Incidence of heart
are resistant to aspirin induced platelet disease and cancer among populations who
dissolution which helps in inhibition of consume a lot of red wine is
platelet aggregation. comparatively less. But mind you,
Clots can be formed due to deposition of excessive consumption of wine can cause
cholesterol (LDL) on inner walls of deleterious effects on human body, as it
arteries leading to the primary condition contains ethanol which causes Liver
arteriosclerosis which finally leads to cirrhosis. Flavonoids, known as
atherosclerosis with plaque formation and oligomeric procyanidins [essentially
finally to a Myocardial infarction [heart condensed tannins/ Proanthocyanidins] are
attack]. Resveratrol induces inhibition now believed to be more powerful than
of the oxidation of low-density resveratrol.
lipoprotein (LDL) and inhibition of They also play a role in the
smooth muscle cell proliferation to stabilization of collagen and the
certain extent. Resveratrol has also been maintenance of proteins in the
found to reduce the synthesis of lipids connective tissue that support organs and
in rat liver and to inhibit the muscles. They have also been found to
production of proatherogenic eicosanoids vision and are involved in
by human platelets and neutrophils. anti-inflammatory activities.






1- A- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- 9- 10- 11- 12- 13- 14- 15- 16- 17- 18- 19- 20- 21- 22- 23- 24- 25- 26- 27- 28- 29- 30- 31- 32- 33- 34- 35- 36- 37- 38- 39- 40- 41- 42- 43- 44- 45- 46- 47- 48- 49- 50- 51- 52- 53- 54- 55- 56-