Nephrol Dial Transplant (2004) 19: 11-16
© ERA–EDTA 2003; all rights reserved
Editorial Comment
Alcohol and red wine: impact on cardiovascular risk
1Medizinische Universitätsklinik und Poliklinik, Innere Medizin III, Kardiologie/Angiologie, Homburg/Saar and 2Klinik für Innere Medizin III, der Universität zu Köln, Köln, Germany
Correspondence and offprint requests to: M. Böhm, Medizinische Universitätsklinik und Poliklinik, Innere Medizin III, Kardiologie/Angiologie, Kirrberger Strasse, D-66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany. Email: boehm@med-in.uni-saarland.de
Keywords: alcohol; cardiovascular risk; coronary heart disease; French Paradox; myocardial infarction; platelet-derived growth factor receptor
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Historical background |
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The potential beneficial effects of wine on health were reported by Paracelsus, Plinius and Galenus. Hippocrates of Kos (459–377 AD) suggested the application of wine as a tranquilizer, analgesic and also used its diuretic properties. In addition, the disinfection of the gastrointestinal mucosa as well as the treatment of wounds are well documented. Caesar recommended wine with meals in order to protect his soldiers from gastrointestinal infections. Specific actions of wine were reported by Galenus of Pergamon (ca. 130–200 BC), who used heavy red wine to protect from gastrointestinal infection and tannin-rich red wines to protect from gastrointestinal bleeding. Hildegard of Bingen (Germany, 1098–1179) applied a special wine recipe in order to ‘treat’ cardiovascular disease (‘Herzwein’). The problems of alcoholism were also recognized early and were documented by Pharaoh Rameses II, who complained about heavy alcohol consumption in the Egyptian population.
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Effects of alcohol and wine on cardiovascular mortality |
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At present there are numerous epidemiological studies
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Actions of wine and other alcoholic beverages on cardiovascular risk factors |
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Serum lipids
Haemostasis
Antioxidative effects of red wine
Effects on C-reactive protein (CRP)
Direct effects on vascular function
Antiproliferative effects of wine and alcohol
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Conclusion |
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