Differential Effects of Small and Large Molecular Weight Wine Phytochemicals on Endothelial Cell Eicosanoid Release

Yearly, thousands of plant extracts are screened for biochemical effects in vitro, often with little regard to the medium used or the presence of unabsorbable large molecular weight chemicals. Here, dealcoholized red wine was separated by ultrafiltration, and each fraction was investigated for effects on endothelial cell eicosanoid release. Following a 20 min incubation with cells, medium containing either 0.6% whole red wine or the large components of 0.6% red wine had more 6-ketoprostaglandin F1-α and thromboxane 62 than control medium. Sample medium containing only the small components of 0.6% red wine had increased 6-ketoprostaglandin F1-α. The small red wine components were more effective in plasma and in whole blood than in culture medium. Therefore, we conclude that the potential for differential effects of medium type and small and large extract components should be considered in the design or interpretation of data from investigations into biological effects of plant extracts.