Red wine extract decreases pro-inflammatory markers, nuclear factor-κB and inducible NOS, in experimental metabolic syndrome.

We aimed to analyse the effects of alcohol-free Alibernet red wine extract (AWE) on nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and pro-inflammatory markers such as nuclear factor-κB (NFκB) and inducible NOS (iNOS) protein expression in experimental metabolic syndrome. Young 6 week-old male Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and obese, spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR/N-cp) were divided into control groups and groups treated with AWE (24.2 mg per kg per day) for 3 weeks (n = 6 in each group). Total NOS activity and endothelial NOS (eNOS), iNOS and NFκB (p65) protein expressions were determined in the heart left ventricle and aorta by Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. All parameters investigated significantly increased in the aorta of SHR/N-cp rats. Pro-inflammatory markers such as NFκB and iNOS were increased in the left ventricle as well. AWE treatment did not affect total NOS activity and eNOS expression in the aorta; however, it was able to decrease NFκB and iNOS protein expression in both the left ventricle and aorta. In conclusion, in the cardiovascular system, Alibernet red wine extract decreased NFκB and iNOS protein expressions elevated as a consequence of developed metabolic syndrome. This effect may represent one of the protective, anti-inflammatory properties of Alibernet red wine polyphenols on cardiovascular risk factors related to metabolic syndrome.