Observational studies suggest there are clinical benefits to moderate red wine (RW)
consumption. However, the effects on coronary vasculature and overall lifestyle are
unclear. We investigated whether a lifestyle of regular long-term RW consumption is
associated with changes in coronary plaque burden, calcium score, carotid
intima/media thickness, endothelial function, and metabolic variables, compared with
alcohol abstinence. Healthy volunteers were evaluated by coronary computed tomography
angiography (CTA) as well as carotid and brachial artery ultrasound. Nutritional
status, psychological status, and metabolic variables were assessed. The study
included 101 drinkers [aged 58.9±7.3 years (means±SD)], from wine brotherhoods, and
104 abstainers, from Anglican, Evangelical and Catholic churches both in the city of
São Paulo, Brazil. No significant differences in demographics were noted. Lesion
prevalence per patient assessed by coronary CTA and classified as absent (0), 1-25,
26-49, and ≥50% stenosis was similar between groups. When analyzed by individual
arteries, i.e., left anterior descending, circumflex, and right coronary, prevalence
was also not different. On the other hand, calcium scores were higher among drinkers
than abstainers (144.4±362.2 vs 122.0±370.3; P<0.01). However,
drinkers reported less history of diabetes and exercised more. RW drinkers consumed
2127.9±387.7 kcal/day while abstainers consumed 1836.0±305.0 (P<0.0001). HDL
cholesterol was significantly higher among drinkers compared to abstainers (46.9±10.9
vs 39.5±9.0 mg/dL; P<0.001), while fasting plasma glucose was
lower (97.6±18.2 vs 118.4±29.6 mg/dL; P<0.02). Liver enzymes were
normal in both groups. In conclusion, long-term wine drinkers displayed a similar
plaque burden but greater calcium score than abstainers, despite a more atherogenic
diet, and the mechanisms for the increased calcium scores in the former remain
speculative.
