Red Wine Ingestion Prevents Microparticle Formation After a Single High-Fat Meal—A Crossover Study in Healthy Humans

BACKGROUND: : The postprandial state after a high-fat meal favors endothelial dysfunction and contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. Little is known about the course of circulating microparticles (MPs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) after the consumption of a high-fat meal. Both are important for the maintenance and function of endothelial cells. METHODS: : Ten healthy males consumed a meal with French fries and hot pork sausage. In a crossover design (4 weeks, 1 meal per week) they coingested a drink (mineral water, coke, red wine, liquor). Before and 1 and 2 hours after the meal, blood samples were drawn and endothelial function (expressed as reactive hyperemia index) was measured by a peripheral arterial tone technology. Number of EPCs, total MPs, and endothelial-derived MPs were measured using flow cytometry. RESULTS: : Reactive hyperemia index decreased by about 5% in those tests drinking mineral water, and by about 20% in the coke group, but remained unaffected in the red wine and liquor group. The number of EPCs were not significantly affected. The number of total and endothelial-derived MPs increased after a single meal, most in the coke group (increase by about 62%), and less in the red wine group (by about 5%). DISCUSSION: : A single high-fat meal deteriorates endothelial function, associated with a significant increase in circulating MPs. These changes were modified by the drink coindigested to the meal. The postprandial state was getting worse when a cola was consumed, but less hazardous when red wine was consumed.