Evidence Shows Red Wine Antioxidant Kills Cancer - ScienceDaily, Mar. 25, 2008
Researchers showed for the first time that a natural antioxidant found in grape skins and red wine can help destroy pancreatic cancer cells by crippling the function of the cell’s core energy source, or mitochondria. The new study also showed that when the pancreatic cancer cells were doubly assaulted -- pretreated with the antioxidant resveratrol and irradiated -- the combination induced a type of cell death called apoptosis, an important goal of cancer therapy.

The results showed that resveratrol had a variety of potentially valuable anticancer effects:

• Making the cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy by hampering proteins that resist treatment

• Triggering cancer cell death (apoptosis)

• Injuring the cancer cell’s energy source and decreasing its potential to function

The research has many implications for patients, said lead author Paul Okunieff, M.D., chief of Radiation Oncology at the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center at the U. of Rochester Medical Center. The authors conclude that “the impact of red wine consumption on chemotherapy remains unclear,” but “resveratrol has a promising future as part of the treatment for cancer.” The study was published in Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology (3/08). 

Although red wine consumption during chemotherapy or radiation treatment has not been well studied, it is not “contraindicated,” Okunieff said. Some physicians are concerned antioxidants might end up protecting tumors, but this study showed there is little evidence to support that fear. In fact the research suggests resveratrol not only reaches its intended target (malignant cells) but at the same time protects normal tissue from the harmful effects of radiation.

“Antioxidant research is very active,” Okunieff said. “The challenge lies in finding the right concentration and how it works inside the cell. In this case, we’ve discovered an important part of that equation. Resveratrol seems to have a therapeutic gain by making tumor cells more sensitive to radiation and making normal tissue less sensitive.” Resveratrol is known for its ability to protect plants from bacteria and fungi.

Previous antioxidant studies have not shown how and why they work at the cellular level. At the suggestion of a young scientist in his lab, Okunieff began studying resveratrol as a tumor sensitizer. The discovery of its link to the mitochondria is critical because, like the cell nucleus, the mitochondria contains its own DNA and has the ability to continuously supply the cell with energy when functioning properly. Stopping the energy flow theoretically stops the cancer.

Researchers divided pancreatic cancer cells into two groups: cells treated without resveratrol, or with resveratrol, at a relatively high dose of 50 mg/ml, in combination with ionizing radiation. [The study reports that resveratrol concentration in red wine can be as high as 30 mg/ml, but this is not the same as cells treated in a laboratory.] 

Laboratory experiments showed that resveratrol:

• Reduced the function of proteins in the pancreatic cancer cell membranes that are responsible for pumping chemotherapy out of the cell, making the cells chemo-sensitive.

• Triggered the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are substances circulating in the human body. When ROS is increased, cells burn out and die.

• Caused apoptosis, which is likely the result of increased ROS.

• Depolarized the mitochondrial membranes, which indicates a decrease in the cell’s potential to function. Radiation alone has much less effect.

Investigating why pancreatic cancer cells seem to be particularly resistant to chemotherapy, the team also found the normal pancreatic function that pumps or channels powerful digestive enzymes into the duodenum. also ends up ridding the needed chemotherapy from cells in the pancreas. But just as reseveratrol interferes with the cancer cells’ energy source, it also may decrease the power available to pump chemotherapy out of the cell.

“While additional studies are needed,” Okunieff said, “this research indicates that resveratrol has a promising future as part of the treatment for cancer.” In the same journal, Okunieff and his group also reviewed why resveratrol protects normal tissue, and found that antioxidants can be designed to take advantage of certain biochemical properties or cellular targets, making theuser. All are from the Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Rochester Medical Centem more effective.

Alcohol may prevent rheumatoid arthritis: study - By Ben Hirschler, June 15, 2007  
BARCELONA (Reuters) - More good news for drinkers -- imbibing regularly may halve your risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis, according to scientists. New research presented at the annual European Congress of Rheumatology showed drinking at least three units of alcohol a week had clear protective effects and 10 units brought more protection still. One unit is roughly equivalent to a glass of wine or a small beer.

Previous studies have indicated alcohol may also have a beneficial role in heart disease, stroke, some forms of cancer, and perhaps Alzheimer's. Henrik Kallberg of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm said his research showed consuming three or more units was associated with a 50 percent drop in the risk in developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). That was enough to offset the risk of developing RA caused by smoking or genetic factors, according to his analysis of 2,075 Swedes with and without the crippling joint disorder.

Although more work is needed to unravel the science behind the connection, Kallberg said it was likely that alcohol suppressed the immune system and damped down the inflammatory process behind the condition. “These data now show not only that alcohol can protect against RA and reduce the risk conferred by smoking or susceptible genes, but also give an idea of the relevant doses necessary,” he said.

RA, which is distinct from the more common osteoarthritis, is a degenerative inflammatory disorder in which the body’s own immune system attacks joint tissues, leading to swelling, tenderness, and increasing disability. It affects more than 20 million people worldwide. A drink may help high blood pressure risk

A drink may help high blood pressure risk - Jan 2, 2008
Men with high blood pressure are usually advised to avoid alcohol, but U.S. and Dutch researchers said that a drink or two every day may reduce their chances of a heart attack. The study of 11,000 men supports other research that shows small-to-moderate amounts of alcohol can lower the risk of heart disease by increasing the levels of high density lipoprotein, or "good" cholesterol and by making blood less likely to clot. Drinkers in general have a bigger risk of high blood pressure, and heavy drinking raises the risk of early death overall, including from heart disease. But many studies have shown that moderate drinkers may be healthier.

The team at the Harvard School of Public Health, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Wageningen University in the Netherlands wanted to see if men with high blood pressure, who are generally advised not to drink, might safely enjoy a little wine, beer, or spirits. They analyzed data from 11,711 health professionals taking part in a long-term survey (1986 to 2002).   The men who had one or two drinks a day had lower rates of fatal and nonfatal heart attacks than the others. But their overall death rate was not lower. Men who had three drinks or more a day on average were not protected. “Hypertensive men get a lot of advice on how to change their lifestyle, physical activity, and diet,” said study leader Joline Beulens. “This indicates that if they drink alcohol in moderation, they may not need to change their drinking habits.”

Beulens, visiting Harvard from Wageningen, said two drinks appear to be the limit -- something found in other studies. “So our findings are not a license for men with hypertension to overindulge,” she added in a statement. “Because excess alcohol intake clearly increases blood pressure, many men with hypertension are counseled not to drink, but our results suggest that may not be necessary if men drink safely and responsibly.” Writing in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the researchers noted that they only studied male health care professionals, so it is not clear whether the findings apply to women or men in different occupations.