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Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most commonly occurring ocular diseases worldwide. This degenerative condition affects the retina and leads to the loss of central vision. The current treatments are focused on the late stage of the disease, but recent studies have highlighted the importance and benefits of preventive treatments and how good dietary habits can reduce the risk of progression to an advanced form of the disease. In this context, we studied whether resveratrol (RSV) or a polyphenolic cocktail, red wine extract (RWE), are able to prevent the initiating events of AMD (i.e., oxidative stress and inflammation) in human ARPE-19 retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and macrophages. This study highlights that RWE and RSV can prevent hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) or 2,2′-Azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidative stress and can subsequently prevent DNA damage via the inhibition of the ATM (ataxia telangiectasia-mutated)/Chk2 (checkpoint kinase 2) or Chk1 signaling pathways, respectively. Moreover, ELISA assays show that RWE and RSV can prevent the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines in RPE cells and in human macrophages. Interestingly, RWE exhibits a greater protective impact compared to RSV alone, even though RSV was more concentrated when used alone than in the red wine extract. Our results suggest that RWE and RSV may have potential interest as preventive nutritional supplementations against AMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The zebrafish embryo is a highly interesting biological model with applications in different scientific fields, such as biomedicine, pharmacology and toxicology. In this study, we used liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation-linear ion trap quadrupole-Orbitrap-mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS) to identify the polyphenol compounds in a red wine extract and zebrafish embryos. Phenolic compounds and anthocyanin metabolites were determined in zebrafish embryos previously exposed to the red wine extract. Compounds were identified by injection in a high-resolution system (LTQ-Orbitrap) using accurate mass measurements in MS, MS 2 and MS 3 modes. To our knowledge, this research constitutes the first comprehensive identification of phenolic compounds in zebrafish by HPLC coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of a red wine extract supplement (Super S.O.D) on hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis were examined in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. Super S.O.D pretreatment dose-dependently protected against hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. The cytoprotection was associated with increases in cellular reduced glutathione level and mitochondrial membrane potential, as well as the decrease in the extent of Ca2+-induced mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore opening in both unchallenged and challenged cells, as compared with the unpretreated control. The results indicated that Super S.O.D pretreatment protected against hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyocytes, possibly mediated by the inhibition of MPT triggered by hypoxia/reoxygenation challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reperfusion of the previously ischemic myocardium causes a burst of reactive oxygen species production that eventually leads to tissue damage. In the present study, the effect of long-term treatment with a red wine extract-containing antioxidant supplement (Super S.O.D) on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury was examined in rats. To investigate the biochemical mechanism( s) involved in the cardioprotection, the effects of Super S.O.D treatment on myocardial mitochondrial antioxidant and structural parameters were also investigated. Long-term treatment with Super S.O.D (0.55 and 1.10 g/kg/day x 15) caused a dose-dependent protection against myocardial I/R injury in rats, as evidenced by the significant decrease in the extent of lactate dehydrogenase leakage. The cardioprotection was associated with increases in reduced glutathione level and antioxidant enzyme activities, including glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferases and Mn-superoxide dismutase, and decreases in the extents of malodialdehyde production, Ca2+ loading and cytochrome c release, in non-ischemic and ischemic-reperfused rat hearts. The results indicated that long-term Super S.O.D treatment enhanced myocardial mitochondrial antioxidant status and structural integrity, thereby protecting against I/R injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a degenerative disease of the retina where the molecular mechanism involves the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a factor of poor prognosis of the progression of the disease. Previous studies have shown that resveratrol, a polyphenol of grapevines, can prevent VEGF secretion induced by stress from retinal cells. Considering the fundamental role played by VEGF in development and progression of AMD, we investigate the potential effect of red wine extract (RWE) on VEGF secretion and its signaling pathway in human retinal cells ARPE-19. To examine the effect of RWE in ARPE-19, a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the RWE was performed by HPLC MS/MS. We show for the first time that RWE decreased VEGF-A secretion from ARPE-19 cells and its protein expression in concentration-dependent manner. RWE-induced alteration in VEGF-A production is associated with a down of VEGF-receptor 2 (VEGF-R2) protein expression and its phosphorylated intracytoplasmic domain. Subsequently, the activation of kinase pathway is disturbing and RWE prevents the phosphorylation of MEK and ERK 1/2 in human retinal cells ARPE-19. Finally, this study sheds light on the interest that the use of polyphenolic cocktails could represent in a prevention strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastrointestinal infections are considered a serious public health problem in view of their high incidence and the increasing antibiotic resistance of the microorganisms involved in their pathogenesis, namely Escherichia coli. Consequently, finding new ways to prevent and/or threat these infections is urgent. In this study we investigated whether a well-characterised polyphenolic red wine extract is able to inhibit the cytotoxic effects induced by a clinical pathogenic Escherichia coli strain (E. coli 270) against HT-29 colon epithelial cells. Firstly, we provide evidences showing that the E. coli strain triggered the death of the intestinal epithelial cells through the production and release of a toxin. Then we support that, in a concentration dependent way, RWE through both, a direct interaction with bacterial exotoxin and the epithelial cells, prevented the action of the toxin on the cells, significantly reducing cell death. This intends to constitute a position paper as detailed mechanisms for the inhibition of E. coli -induced toxicity by polyphenols are yet to be completely unraveled. However, considering that the amount of red wine polyphenols used can be easily achieved in a normal diet, this study suggests that RWE may provide a readily available dietary product with potential benefit for the prevention and/or treatment of intestinal infections induced by intestinal pathogenic bacteria and may open new therapeutic avenues for the development of potential natural antimicrobial agents. Image 1 • E. coli 270 causes the death of HT-29 colon epithelial cells. • The HT-29 cell death is caused by an exotoxin secreted by E. coli 270. • Red wine extract prevents the action of the E. coli -secreted exotoxin on the cells. • Red wine extract significantly inhibits the HT-29 cell death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]