PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF A RED WINE POLYPHENOL EXTRACT OF AGLIANICO DEL VULTURE ON ENDOTHELIAL CELLS AND MACROPHAGES FROM PATIENTS WITH CARDIOMETABOLIC DISEASE

Introduction: Our previous studies demonstrate that polyphenols contained in the Aglianico del Vulture red wine extract (RWP) exert immunometabolic activities on both human macrophages (MOs) and endothelial cells (ECs), suggesting a potential anti-inflammatory role in the vasculature of patients with cardiometabolic disease (CMD). Methods: MOs and ECs were isolated from 23 hypertensive patients (7 with metabolic syndrome (MS); 7 with MS taking statins (MSstatin); 9 without MS and statin (no-MS/no-statin). Mean age was 62.9 ± 8.6 years. The average waist circumference was 97.7 ± 12.1 cm; mean systolic BP 124 ± 13 mmHg, diastolic BP 73.6 ± 7.4 mmHg, and heart rate 68.2 ± 9.6 bpm. Cellular activity and cytotoxicity (apoptosis, migration) were evaluated in ECs from patients of all groups incubated for 72 h with increasing concentrations of RWP (0–100–200– 400–800–1600, and 3200 μg/mL). Under the same conditions, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and inflammatory markers were analyzed on isolated MOs. Results: Up to 800 μg/mL concentrations RWP did not significantly increase apoptosis, nor impaired ECs migration in ECs from all groups. At 200 μg/mL, RWP significantly reduced ROS levels in MOs from no-MS/no-statin patients. At 400 μg/mL, a similar effect was observed in the no-MS/statin group (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). Interestingly, no significant changes in ROS production were observed in Mos isolated from patients with MS, regardless of RPW concentration used, indicating a potential resistance to RWP’s antioxidant action in the context of underlying metabolic dysregulation. Ongoing co-culture experiments with ECs and MOs from CMD patients AIM: to further investigate the immuno-metabolic pathways modulated by RWP. Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that RWP is safe on ECs and exhibits antioxidant activity in MOs from hypertensive patients with no additional metabolic disturbances. These data support the potential of RWP as an adjunct nutraceutical strategy to protect from vascular disturbances in patients with CV risk, with implications for early atherosclerosis prevention.