Procyanidins from Vitis vinifera Seeds:  In Vivo Effects on Oxidative Stress

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of supplementation with procyanidins from Vitis vinifera on markers of oxidative stress. Ten healthy volunteers received a daily dose of 110 mg of procyanidins for 30 days. Fasting venous blood samples were taken before and at the end of the supplementation period and after 7 days of wash-out. The total antioxidant activity and the plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol were not modified. Conversely, the levels of alpha-tocopherol in red blood cell membranes increased significantly from 1.8 +/- 0.1 to 2.8 +/- 0.2 mg/g. Similarly, the lymphocyte oxidized DNA [8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine/2'-deoxyguanosine ratio] was reduced from 7.23 +/- 2.47 to 2.34 +/- 0.51, and the red blood cell membrane fatty acid composition shifted to a higher level of polyunsaturated fatty acids. On the basis of these results, it may be suggested that dietary procyanidins exert their antioxidant protection in vivo by sparing liposoluble vitamin E and reducing DNA oxidative damage.

Grape products and cardiovascular disease risk factors

“…In the case of human subjects, although some studies reported no effect on plasma antioxidant capacity after supplementation with grape-derived products (98) , most of the trials did find some effect; for instance, increased plasma antioxidant capacity was observed after the intake of polyphenol extracts from red wine (32) , from grapes (33) , grape juice (65) , concentrated grape juice (80) , grape pomace (99) and red wine (77) . Also, studies on the possible effect of grape polyphenols in the postprandial phase have reported that after a meal accompanied by red wine, plasma antioxidant capacity by the total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter assay was sustained in type 2 diabetic subjects, whereas after the same meal without wine there was a significant decrease in antioxidant capacity (100) .…”

Grape extracts suppress the formation of preneoplastic foci and activity of fatty acid synthase in rat liver

“…These polyphenolic compounds from grape or the polyphenol extracts have shown vitamin E sparing effect (Simonetti et al, 2002), and have been reported as chemopreventive agents. The polyphenol extracts protected from atherosclerosis progression in high cholesterol-fed rabbit aortic vessels (Yamakoshi et al, 1999), and the solid fraction of red wine delayed the spontaneous onset of tumors in mice (Clifford et al, 1996).…”

Effect of Herbal Extract Mixtures on Serum and Liver Lipid Metabolism in Chronic Ethanol - Administered Rats

“…1) Therefore, in those who consume large amounts of alcohol for extended periods, it is important to devise a proper regimen to help prevent alcohol-induced syndromes. Recently, studies have utilized the acute toxicity model, whereby CCl 4 2) or ethanol 3) is administered at excessive dosages to induce fatty liver or hepatitis in animal models. However, in view of the differences between animals and humans in relation to alcoholic fatty liver or hepatitis, in the present study we chose to utilize a chronic alcoholic hepatotoxicity model to induce fatty liver.…”

“…Several types of procyanidins are present in grapeseed extracts (including catechin at up to 25%) 4) ; the main procyanidin is (+)-catechin. 5) It has been reported that the procyanidins in grapeseed extracts have antioxidative effects, [6][7][8][9][10][11] protective effects against cardiovascular disease, 12) antiinflammatory effects, antiviral effects, antiallergy effects, and artery -relaxant properties.…”