The effect of chronic consumption of red wine polyphenols on vascular function in postmenopausal women

Objective: To elucidate whether the chronic consumption of dealcoholised red wine ( DRW) ( polyphenol-rich component) and/or red wine ( RW) improves vascular function in hypercholesterolaemic postmenopausal women. Design, subjects and intervention: A randomised parallel-arm study. Forty-five hypercholesterolaemic postmenopausal women were randomised into either water, DRW or RW group for 6 weeks following a 4 week washout. Fasting measures of central haemodynamic parameters, arterial wave reflection and endothelial nitric oxide were taken at 0 and 6 weeks. Setting: Clinic in the School of Public Health, Curtin University. Results: There were no significant between group differences in arterial stiffness as measured by augmentation index ( AIx) and augmentation pressure ( AP). However, a significant within group decrease in AIx ( -9%, P = 0.02) and AP ( -12%, P = 0.02) was observed following DRW consumption. No significant changes were observed in central haemodynamic parameters and endothelial nitric oxide levels following DRW and RW consumption, compared to water. Conclusions: Neither the chronic consumption of DRW nor RW improved markers of arterial stiffness, compared to control. However, the significant within group improvements in these indices following the consumption of DRW cannot be overlooked and warrant further investigation. Sponsorship: Curtin University and National Heart Foundation of Australia.