Respiratory and vascular effects of some fractions isolated from red wine

Abstract

We have isolated a series of fractions (T1–T6) from a sample of red wine and studied their influence on cellular respiration and behaviour of blood vessels, by in vitro analysis of striated muscle and liver of frog (Rana ridibunda, Pall), and of fragments of Wistar rat aorta artery. Different biological effects were registered, according to the type of tissues, composition of fractions (polyphenol proportion), and duration of registrations. The dominant effect on cellular respiration consisted in its stimulation, registered at fractions richer in polyphenols – T2 and T3, more pronounced than that produced by wine and more prominent at liver than at muscles. The same fractions clearly influenced the smooth muscles of aorta artery, determining an important vasodilatation effect. The other fractions had a weaker or inhibiting action on cellular respiration and did not show evident vascular effects. The results pointed out a series of useful pharmacological properties of certain studied wine fractions.