Polyphenols of red grapes in wine and concentrates for use in rehabilitation technologies

In recent years, as cardiovascular mortality is increasing, the interest in studying the influence of polyphenol-rich grape products (PRGP) on cardiovascular risks is constantly growing. The estimation of a safe and effective dose of PRGP deserves special attention, because an excessive consumption can lead to endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. The hygienic and curative properties the young branches of grapevine, leaves, berries, juice and wine are used in traditional medicine for a long time. The curative properties of grapes are known to be due to the presence of biologically active grape polyphenols, which are accumulated in grapeskin, pulp, and seeds, etc. Polyphenols are extracted during alcoholic fermentation and determine the antioxidant status and biological activity of wines and other grape products. Here our objective was to analyze polyphenols in red wine (RW) and extracts from red grapes (EPG) and to compare the influence of fixed concentration of polyphenols on cardiovascular parameters, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and lipid metabolism at ischemic heart disease (IHD) and essential hypertension (EH) in the course of the SPA and resort-based treatment of 259 patients. The clinical trials of therapeutic and prophylactic properties of the experimental samples of red wine and extracts of polyphenols from red grapes showed that the use of these products as part of complex therapy contributes to the significant improvement of lipid metabolism, i.e. total cholesterol was reduced by 22 % and the atherogenic index decreased by 10 %, to a reduced free radical oxidation (end products of LPO decreased by 30.3 % when using the RW, and by 32.3 % in case of EPG), as compared to the patients from control groups who were not provided with PRGP in addition to a standard rehabilitation. The normalization of cardiovascular indexes also occurred. In the most patients, the tolerance to physical activity increased by 22.4 % compared to the control group. The clinical effect was achieved during a 14-day course at a daily dose of 3.6 ml/kg for RW, and of 0.45 ml/kg for EPG. The mechanisms of action of these polyphenolic products and the possibility of their use for primary and secondary prevention of disorders in patients with cardiovascular disease are discussed.